Sanitary tub installation

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sanitary tub device with a sanitary tub and a support arrangement for the sanitary tub, wherein the sanitary tub has a tub rim with a C-shaped cross section and a lower edge.

[0002] The sanitary tub is preferably a shower tray. For reasons of stability, a lower edge is particularly useful for sanitary tubs, and especially shower trays, made of a laminated material. Starting from a roughly horizontal area, the C-shaped tub rim transitions with a first radius into a vertical section, with the lower edge then connecting via a second radius. Especially with enameled sheet steel, this also offers the advantage that the outer edge of the corresponding sheet metal cut is drawn inward relative to the outer circumference of the sanitary tub, thus protecting it. This reduces the risk of damage in the event of impact.

[0003] For shower trays and bathtubs made of steel enamel, a C-shaped tub rim with a lower edge is the standard design. The height of the tub rim along the vertical section can be 32 mm, for example. The lower edge has a length between 5 and 15 mm.

[0004] Sanitary tub devices in which the sanitary tub has the described edge geometry and is supported on a support arrangement are known, for example, from DE 10 2009 037 904 B3 and DE 199 61 255 A1.

[0005] While according to DE 10 2009 037 904 B3 a base frame is provided as a support arrangement, according to DE 199 61 255 A1 a one-piece foamed tub support made of polyurethane foam is provided as a support arrangement.

[0006] While a base frame allows for height adjustment, a plastic tub support must be placed on a flat surface. According to DE 199 61 255 A1, the disadvantage is that the manufacturing process is relatively complex. In particular, different molds for foaming the sanitary tub must be available for different tub sizes.

[0007] US Pat. No. 537,510 discloses a bathtub made of a metallic laminate, supported at its edge by a metallic frame. The metallic frame's geometry must be precisely matched to the tub's shape. This results in high weight and high material costs.

[0008] DE 197 40 445 A1 discloses a tub support consisting of several interconnected individual elements, each made of a load-bearing foam. The elements must first be assembled to form a tub support before a sanitary tub, particularly a shower tray, is placed on top. The handling of such a tub support and the connection to the sanitary tub require improvement.

[0009] DE 198 49 394 A1 discloses a tub support for bathtubs or shower trays, wherein a voluminous molded body made of rigid foam is provided. The sanitary tub is placed on top of such a tub support.

[0010] US Pat. No. 5,960,489 discloses a support system for a bathtub or shower tray, wherein the bathtub or shower tray can be supported on one side against a building wall via a rail and on the other side against a wall intended as a cladding. The wall intended as a cladding is elaborately constructed from several layers and materials.

[0011] DE 42 24 133 A1 discloses a device for securing the edges of bathtubs and shower trays to a building wall in a way that isolates them from structure-borne sound. A tensioning element with a support leg designed to rest against the building wall clamps insulation material layers arranged on an outer and inner side of a bathtub edge toward the building wall.

[0012] One-piece tub supports made of plastic, especially rigid foam, are also known in practice, onto which the sanitary tub is placed during installation. Here, too, the tub support must be precisely matched to the size and shape of the associated sanitary tub. This also results in a comparatively large support surface, which can be disadvantageous in terms of sound insulation.

[0013] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a sanitary tub device which can be easily formed in different sizes and has good functional properties.

[0014] The subject of the invention and the solution to the problem is a sanitary bathtub device according to patent claim 1.

[0015] Such profile strips can be manufactured inexpensively from plastic, especially rigid foam, and are easy to handle. The form-fitting fit into the C-shaped tub edge makes it particularly easy to prevent incorrect positioning of the profile strips. This also offers the advantage that the profile strips are held in place solely by a form fit, although additional fixation with adhesive or similar is also possible. In many cases, however, the form-fitting fixation alone is sufficient to hold the profile strips securely.

[0016] The profile strips can, for example, be formed in a mold made of plastic, especially rigid foam. To create profile strips of different lengths, the mold simply needs to be adapted accordingly. For example, a long mold can be provided with side stops or filler pieces to allow for the creation of shorter profile strips.

[0017] Alternatively, an extruded profile can be created to form the profile strips, from which the profile strips are then cut to the desired length. Finally, it is also possible to cut the profile strips to the desired cross-sectional shape from a prefabricated rectangular profile.

[0018] Regardless of the specific type of production, the profile strips can also be subsequently shortened if required.

[0019] On the one hand, the profile strips are inserted into the C-shaped tub rim and held there in a form-fitting manner. On the other hand, the profile strips extend downwards beyond the lower edge of the sanitary tub at the bottom edge to support and support the sanitary tub.

[0020] To ensure particularly secure and reliable fixation of the profile strips to the C-shaped tub rim, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper fastening section, in the unassembled state, has an oversize relative to a receiving space formed by the C-shaped tub rim. The upper fastening section is then compressible such that the profile strips can be pushed into the receiving space of the C-shaped tub rim against resistance. Within the scope of such a configuration, the positive locking caused by the complementary cross-sectional shape is further supported by the elastic restoring forces.

[0021] The sanitary tray assembly according to the invention is particularly intended for flat shower trays that require a low installation height. Due to its compact footprint, the sanitary tray assembly can be used, for example, in modernization or renovation projects. In view of these requirements, the base section of the profile strips preferably has a height between 3 mm and 15 mm.

[0022] The invention offers the advantage that the support on the profile strips results in a small footprint, which leads to improved soundproofing properties. However, to achieve sufficient stabilization, especially in the center area of ​​the sanitary tub, a central support can also be provided there. If a tub drain is located off-center, such a central support can be formed, for example, by a substantially round support body. If the sanitary tub is designed with a central drain, the central support should be U-shaped in order to support the area around the drain.

[0023] If the profile strips are made of plastic, particularly rigid foam, according to a preferred embodiment, a certain sound-insulating effect is already achieved. However, to improve sound insulation, a further development of the invention provides for the profile strips to have inserts made of a sound-insulating material at their base sections, which form the lower contact surface of the base sections. For example, strip-shaped or cylindrical buffer elements made of a special sound-insulating material can be provided, which are, for example, cast into the profile strips during the manufacturing process or, alternatively, can be inserted into the profile strips later. Suitable materials are known, for example, under the brand name Regupol®.

[0024] Based on a typically rectangular base area for the sanitary tub, exactly one profile strip can be provided on each side of the sanitary tub. This offers the advantage that only four profile strips need to be mounted on the sanitary tub. Profile strips of different lengths can then be kept on hand for different base areas. Alternatively, long profile strips can be provided that can be shortened to the desired length.

[0025] According to a variant of the invention, starting with a rectangular base area of ​​the sanitary tub, several short profile strips are arranged on each side, so that only the number of profile strips needs to be adjusted for different lengths. This offers the advantage of being able to use short profile strips of a uniform length.

[0026] According to the invention, the profile strips are initially provided and assembled separately. This provides various design options for the support arrangement.

[0027] According to a first refinement, the support arrangement on the C-shaped tub rim comprises only the separately manufactured and assembled profile strips. Accordingly, the profile strips are not directly connected to one another, even when assembled. Rather, gaps remain between successive profile strips. This also means that no sealing is required in the area of ​​the profile strips. Sealing during installation of the sanitary tub fixture can be achieved, for example, with a sealing tape on the vertical section of the C-shaped tub rim. Suitable sealing tapes and sealing elements are known, for example, from DE 299 05 152 U1.

[0028] According to a second development, the support arrangement at the corners of the sanitary tub comprises additional corner pieces which are inserted into the C-shaped tub edge. The two legs of such a corner piece can correspond in their cross-section to the profile strips. In the case of a rectangular shower tray, 90° corner pieces are also used accordingly. These can be formed in a mold or in a prior work step from cut-outs of the profile strips which are mitred. This results in the special feature that the corner pieces are also inserted into the C-shaped tub edge. This means that the corner pieces on the underside of the sanitary tub must first be fed offset towards the center of the sanitary tub and then pushed outwards into the corner of the sanitary tub.

[0029] If, according to a preferred detailed design, the corner pieces are directly adjacent to the respective adjoining profile strips or at a small distance, it also becomes clear that the corner pieces must be mounted in front of the profile strips, because otherwise there is not sufficient mounting space at the corners of the sanitary tub for lateral insertion.

[0030] In particular, the corner pieces can be connected to the adjacent profile strips using connecting elements, such as connecting clamps. A frame consisting of individual corner pieces and profile strips is then advantageously formed on the underside of the sanitary tub. This frame is then held in place as a complete frame and cannot be separated from the sanitary tub without disassembling the frame. This significantly reduces the risk of incorrect installation. In particular, there is no risk of the profile strips being accidentally removed or even discarded.

[0031] This also has the advantage that the same corner pieces can be kept ready for different sizes of the sanitary tub and only the profile strips in the appropriate length have to be selected or their length adjusted.

[0032] Regardless of whether the profile strips are spaced apart when installed or form a frame with additional corner pieces, the installation height is determined by the height of the profile strips. Unlike a base frame, continuous height adjustment is generally not provided.

[0033] However, to be able to vary the installation height at least in steps, separate plates or base strips can be provided, onto which the profile strips are then placed. For example, if the installation height needs to be increased by a certain amount, base strips of the corresponding height can be provided. It is also possible for the profile strips and base strips to have a tongue-and-groove connection for height adjustment.

[0034] The optionally provided corner pieces and base strips are also preferably made of plastic, particularly rigid foam. Polystyrene-based foams such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) are preferred.

[0035] The height of the profile strips is preferably between 20 mm and 50 mm, while a range between 30 mm and 70 mm is suitable for the width.

[0036] The profile strips can either be pre-assembled or installed during the installation of the sanitary tub fittings, although factory pre-assembly is preferred.

[0037] The invention is explained below with reference to a drawing that represents only one exemplary embodiment. It shows: Fig. 1 a sanitary tub device in a view from below, Fig. 2 a sectional view through an edge of the sanitary tub device according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 an alternative design of the sanitary tub device with additional soundproofing elements, Fig. 4 the sanitary tub device according to the Fig. 3 in a view according to the Fig. 2 , Fig. 5 a further alternative embodiment of the sanitary tub device, Fig. 6 a sectional view through an edge of the sanitary tub device according to the Fig. 5 .

[0038] The Fig. 1 shows a sanitary tub installation in a bottom view. The sanitary tub installation comprises, on the one hand, a sanitary tub 1 in the form of a shower tray and a support arrangement made of separate profile strips 2, which support and carry the sanitary tub 1 in the assembled state.

[0039] Further details of the sanitary tub device according to the invention can be found in the Fig. 2 . Accordingly, the sanitary tub 1 has a tub rim 3 with a C-shaped cross-section. Starting from an approximately horizontal mirror section 4, a vertical section 5 adjoins it via a first radius. The vertical section 5 then merges into a second radius into a lower edge 6. In the illustrated embodiment, this sanitary tub 1 is made of steel enamel. The C-shaped design of the tub rim 3 results in the advantage that the edge of the sheet metal blank is pulled inwards by the lower edge 6 and is thus optimally protected. The C-shaped structure of the tub rim 3 is also advantageous for reasons of stability.

[0040] The already in the Fig. 1 The profile strips 2 shown are in accordance with Fig. 2 inserted into the C-shaped tub rim 6 and held there in a form-fitting manner.

[0041] The profile strips are, in the broadest sense, L-shaped. The profile strips 2, made essentially of plastic, in particular a rigid foam, each comprise an upper fastening section 7, which is inserted into the C-shaped tub edge, and a foot section 8 that projects downwards over the lower edge 6.

[0042] Conveniently, the upper fastening section 7, in the unassembled state, has an oversize compared to a receiving space formed by the C-shaped tub edge 3. When the profile strip 2 is inserted into the C-shaped tub edge 3, the upper fastening section 7 is also elastically compressed to a certain extent, so that the resulting positive connection is additionally supported by elastic restoring forces.

[0043] From the Fig. 1 It can be seen that a central support 9 can also be provided as part of the support arrangement.

[0044] The Fig. 3 and4 relate to a further development of the invention in which, based on an otherwise identical design, additional elements made of a sound-absorbing material 10 are provided. Corresponding elements of a sound-absorbing material 10 can, for example, be integrated directly during the manufacture of the profile strip 2 or the center support 9. In particular, the elements of the sound-absorbing material 10 can be cast into the molding during the manufacturing process.

[0045] The sound-insulating material 10 then forms the only contact surfaces, resulting in optimal sound decoupling.

[0046] The Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the sanitary tub fitting, wherein additional corner pieces 11 are provided at the corners of the sanitary tub 1, which are inserted into the C-shaped tub rim 3 in a form-fitting manner. The corner pieces 11 each comprise two legs arranged at right angles to each other, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the legs corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the profile strips 2.

[0047] When assembled, each profile strip assigned to a long side of the sanitary tub 1 borders on a corner piece 11 at two of its two ends.

[0048] Preferably, the corner pieces 11 and the profile strips 2 are coordinated with one another in such a way that a closed or essentially closed frame is created when assembled. Since both the profile strips 2 and the corner pieces 11 are inserted into the C-shaped tub edge 3 with the lower edge 6, a predetermined sequence must be followed during assembly. Accordingly, the corner pieces 11 must be inserted first, and are then additionally fixed in position by installing the profile strips 2. If, according to a preferred embodiment, the profile strips 2 reach up to the corner pieces when assembled, the corner pieces 11 can no longer be moved inwards and removed.

[0049] The corner pieces 11 and the profile strips 2 can be connected, for example, by suitable connecting elements 12, in particular connecting clamps, so that the supporting structure thus formed is then secured against loss under all circumstances.

[0050] The design according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 show that the support arrangement on the C-shaped tub edge 3 can either have only profile strips 2 or can have a frame composed of various elements.

[0051] Regardless of these design variants, the Fig. 5 also an option for adjusting the height of the support structure. To optionally provide an alternative installation height, substructure strips 13 are provided, which are to be arranged beneath the profile strips 2. The substructure strips 13 can be provided in the desired length or alternatively cut to size. With regard to the substructure strips 13, it is also optionally possible to form a closed frame around the perimeter. Corner pieces (not shown in detail) can also be provided for the substructure strips 13.

[0052] The Fig. 6 finally shows that the substructure strips 13 and the profile strips 2 can have a tongue and groove connection.

[0053] If substructure strips 13 are present, a corresponding substructure 14 for the central support 9 must of course also be provided.

Claims

1. A sanitary-tray device having a sanitary tray (1) and a support arrangement for the sanitary tray (1), the sanitary tray (1) having a tray rim (3) which is C-shaped in cross section and has a lower bent section (6), the support arrangement comprising multiple profiled strips (2), which are inserted into the C-shaped tray rim (3) and held there interlockingly, characterised in that the profiled strips (2) have an L-shape, one leg of the L-shape being inserted into the C-shaped tray rim (3) as an upper fastening section (7), and the other leg protruding downwards beyond the lower bent section (6) as a base section (8).

2. The sanitary-tray device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the profiled strips (2) are formed substantially from plastic, in particular a rigid foam.

3. The sanitary-tray device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the profiled strips (2) have a height between 20 mm and 50 mm and a width between 30 mm and 70 mm.

4. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that in the unmounted state, the upper fastening section (7) is oversized in comparison with an accommodating space formed by the C-shaped tray rim (3) and can be compressed in order to be inserted into the accommodating space.

5. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the base section (8) has a height of between 3 mm and 15 mm.

6. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the profiled strips (2) have inserts made from a sound-insulating material (10) on their base sections (8), which inserts form the lower bearing surface of the base sections.

7. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the support arrangement comprises a central support (9) arranged below a central section of the sanitary tray.

8. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the sanitary tray (1) is formed from steel enamel.

9. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the sanitary tray (1) has a rectangular base area, wherein exactly one profiled strip (2) is provided on each side of the sanitary tray (1) .

10. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that corner pieces (11) are inserted into the C-shaped tray rim (3) at corners of the sanitary tray (1).

11. The sanitary-tray device according to Claim 10, characterised in that the corner pieces (11) are connected to the respectively adjacent profiled strips (2) via connecting elements (12).

12. The sanitary-tray device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the support arrangement comprises substructure strips (13) for height adjustment, which can be arranged under the profiled strips (2).