Shower head mounting system, a corresponding shower system, and its use.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a shower holder system for a shower head, a corresponding shower system, and the use of the shower system in shower rooms and bathrooms.

[0002] Shower head holders are known as wall brackets in which the handle or part of the handle of a shower head can be inserted into an axially slotted holder. The axial slot serves to feed the shower hose through laterally, and the holder area is round and usually cylindrical or conical in shape, suitable for accepting a corresponding handle part of a shower head when the shower head is hooked in. Shower heads include both removable overhead showers and handheld showers. A handheld shower, in turn, can also be used as an overhead shower if the shower hose is long enough. A holder for such shower heads can be permanently mounted on the wall or attached in a height-adjustable manner, e.g., to a vertical rod. These holders are suitable for holding a shower head both when in use (with water extraction) and when not in use.

[0003] Also known are designs of shower head holders designed to accommodate a shower head when not in use. For example, DE 3931304 A1 shows a wall-mounted holder for a handheld shower head. It has a plate-like holder with spring-loaded locking tabs on its periphery, into which the shower head can be hooked from the front with the nozzles facing the wall when not in use. The locking tabs engage around the shower head when not in use.

[0004] A special water tap holder, especially for shower heads or shower heads when not in use, is described in patent EP 3 458 650 B1. A special feature is that the holder, into which the shower head is inserted with its back surface facing the wall, contains UV irradiation means. The irradiation occurs through a UV-permeable window in the back of the shower head when the shower head is in the holder when not in use. By activating the UV irradiation at certain intervals, the shower head is disinfected against germs, particularly Legionella, in its resting position.

[0005] US 2016 / 0175872 A1 describes a cup-shaped accessory that can be mounted on the shower wall as a shower head holder. A shower head can be temporarily placed in the holder (e.g., while soaping) with the water running, with the nozzles pointing downwards, without water splashing around. This shower head holder has a U-shaped recess on one side for hanging the shower head, as well as at least one drain opening in the base of the cup. The preferably only one drain opening is sized large enough that the cup does not overflow even when the shower head is running, but rather the water flows out at the bottom. The drain opening is preferably located on the wall side so that the water can run down along the shower wall without splashing or splashing.

[0006] Thematically linked to the latter point, devices are also known that, among other things, optimize water drainage in a shower. For example, patent EP 2 397 612 B1 describes a shower system comprising a built-in box with a wall drain (drainage gap at the bottom) for the shower water, a shower channel arranged underneath, and a siphon. The built-in box is designed to accommodate at least one functional element and is covered by a shower panel as a pre-wall installation. The built-in box of EP 2 397 612 B1 particularly preferably serves to accommodate a hand shower and an overhead shower (on the front of the panel) and their pipes (behind the panel in the built-in box). A magnetic holder can be provided on the front for the hand shower. When not in use, the hand shower can be pushed into an opening in the shower panel.The installation box is also designed to drain any water that may occur inside it into the shower channel, although this only involves the drainage of dripping water or condensed moisture, similar to patent DE 101 07 913 B4, where the holder for the conical piece of the hand shower handle is located behind the wall of the shower box, but the shower head is always directed in front of the wall towards the user.

[0007] EP 1 457 608 discloses a shower head holder system according to the preamble of claim 1, but does not address the cleaning of the hand shower. Similar devices are known from CN 210 529 842 and US 2017 / 181583.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a shower head mounting system that is an alternative to the prior art. The shower head mounting system according to the invention is intended to be suitable, among other things, for performing hygienic flushing, particularly when a hand shower is not in use.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a shower holder system having the features of claim 1.

[0010] A corresponding shower system according to the invention, which comprises such a shower holder system and a hand shower with its shower head fitting into the receptacle of the shower holder system, is the subject of claim 12.

[0011] The invention also includes the use of the shower system according to the invention.

[0012] Preferred embodiments and variants of the invention emerge from the respective dependent claims.

[0013] A shower holder system according to the invention comprises a receptacle in which a shower head with shower nozzles directed towards the receptacle can be placed, and a holding means for fixing the shower head in the receptacle, wherein the receptacle has at least one through-opening in an area where the shower nozzles are located, and the shower holder system also comprises a drainage box arranged behind the receptacle with an outflow, wherein the at least one through-opening opens into the drainage box, and the outflow of the drainage box can be connected to a water drain.

[0014] According to the invention, the shower holder system has an electronic sensor which is designed to detect whether a shower head is placed in the holder.

[0015] In the shower holder system according to the invention, the holding means is preferably designed as a recess or recess or depression for hanging or inserting the shower head, or as a locking device, or as a bayonet lock, or as a magnetic holder or as a counterpart to a magnetic holder.

[0016] The holder of the shower holder system according to the invention with the holding means and the drainage box preferably form a coherent component.

[0017] In preferred embodiments, the shower bracket system according to the invention is designed as a wall-mounted element, a surface-mounted housing, a column stand, or a combination integrated into shower rods or grab handles. In the embodiment as a wall-mounted element, it preferably has a frame and can be installed flush with the frame in a wall.

[0018] The shower holder system according to the invention is designed in the embodiment as a wall installation element preferably for a wall which is selected from a building wall or a lightweight wall or a pre-wall installation.

[0019] In the shower holder system according to the invention, the mount is preferably inclined at an angle. Particularly preferably, the angle of the mount relative to the vertical is in a range between zero degrees and 45 degrees, so that the shower head with its shower nozzles can be placed at an angle. This angle is expediently selected so that the handle and the connected shower hose of a hand shower hang approximately vertically downwards after the shower head is placed in the mount, because the water outlet surface of the shower head with the shower nozzles is generally angled relative to the handle of a hand shower.

[0020] In the shower holder system according to the invention, moreover, the region of the receptacle with the at least one through-opening is preferably formed by a gaping hole or a perforated disc or a grid or a net.

[0021] Furthermore, in the shower holder system according to the invention, the drain of the drainage box can preferably be connected to a water drain via a pipe or a channel or an intermediate space.

[0022] In connection with the shower holder system according to the invention, the water drain is preferably a shower channel with a siphon or a floor drain of a shower with a siphon or an overflow protection of a bathtub, wherein the drain of the drainage box can be connected to the shower channel or to the floor drain or directly to the corresponding siphon or to the overflow protection of the bathtub.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the shower holder system according to the invention contains UV light sources.

[0024] A shower system according to the present invention comprises a shower holder system according to the invention and a hand shower with its shower head fitting into the receptacle of the shower holder system. It should be noted here that the hand shower of a shower or bathtub can also be used as an overhead shower if the shower hose is long enough and if a conventional shower head holder is attached to the wall at a suitable or adjustable height, into which the handle of the hand shower can be inserted for showering. The shower system according to the invention is advantageously used for operating modes with the shower head placed in the receptacle of the shower holder system, selected from running water, pre-rinsing, or preheating a hand shower in a shower or bath, as well as hygienic rinsing and / or disinfection of the hand shower.Through the shower nozzles directed toward the receptacle, the water from the shower enters the drainage box through at least one through-hole and flows away in a channeled manner, preventing splashes or spray from the shower from entering the air in a shower or bath. This prevents aerosols that may contain pathogenic Legionella bacteria when reactivating a hand shower after a prolonged period of inactivity.

[0025] The aforementioned hygienic flushes involve regularly flushing the pipes leading to shower facilities with fresh water to prevent the proliferation of bacteria, particularly Legionella, in stagnant water and to keep their concentration low. The risk of becoming infected with Legionella primarily occurs in the shower through inhaling Legionella-containing aerosols sprayed by the shower nozzles. Therefore, when flushing a water pipe leading to a shower facility or handheld shower that has not been used for an extended period, it is important to avoid inhaling aerosols as much as possible during the first few minutes of such a hygienic flush. This has not been easily possible until now. The present invention now offers a technical solution to this problem for the first time.This solution is very useful for all places and facilities where stagnant water may occur in the pipes due to irregular use and a hygienic flush should be carried out before the next use.

[0026] When used according to the invention, the selected mode of operation is preferably carried out either manually or controlled by a control and regulation system.

[0027] When used for disinfection, disinfection is preferably carried out thermally with hot water flow and / or UV light sources, with the integration of sensors and each monitored by a control and regulation system. A selected operating mode for disinfection is released by the control and regulation system when a sensor detects a shower head positioned in the holder. A UV light source would be used in particular if it is desired to also disinfect the water outlet surface of the shower head at the shower nozzles or the corresponding silicone nubs.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures that represent examples without limiting the scope of the present invention. In the figures: Fig. 1 shows a shower holder system according to the invention as a wall installation element in a perspective view; Fig. 2 shows the shower holder system according to the invention from Fig. 1 with a suspended hand shower (ie a shower system) in a perspective view; Fig. 3 a shower holder system according to the invention with a drain line connected to the drain of the drainage box to a shower water drain; Fig. 4 a shower system according to the invention with a suspended hand shower according to the Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 a shower system according to the invention analogous to Fig. 4and additionally a covered pre-wall installation; Fig. 6 a vertical cross-sectional profile of a shower system according to the invention with a suspended hand shower and pre-wall installation; Fig. 7 a shower system according to the invention in a vertical cross-section as a surface-mounted housing with a suspended hand shower; Fig. 8 a shower system according to the invention as a surface-mounted housing with a suspended hand shower in a perspective view; Fig. 9 a shower system according to the invention in a vertical cross-section as a surface-mounted variant with drainage into a channel or intermediate space; Fig. 10 the shower system according to the invention of Fig. 9 in a perspective view; Fig. 11 a vertical cross-sectional profile of a shower system according to the invention in a column stand design; Fig. 12 the column stand shower system according to the invention of Fig. 11in a perspective view; Fig. 13 a shower system according to the invention as a combination design integrated into shower rods or grab handles.

[0029] The Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shower holder system 1 according to the invention, which is designed as a wall-mounted element with a frame 9. The holder 2, which in this example is inclined at an angle, for a shower head 3 (not shown in this figure) has through-openings 5, formed here by a grid, in the area where the shower nozzles 4 of the shower head 3 are located. A drainage box 6 with a drain 7 is arranged behind the holder 2. The through-openings 5 ​​open into the drainage box 6, and the drain 7, which can be formed by a pipe socket, can be connected to a water drain 8 (not shown here).

[0030] The recess of the edge of the holder 2 would serve as a holding means for fixing a shower head 3.

[0031] The Figure 2 shows the inventive shower holder system 1 of Figure 1 with the shower head 3 of a hand shower 13 suspended in the holder 2, ie a shower system 12 according to the invention, in a perspective view.

[0032] The Figure 3 shows a shower head mounting system 1 according to the invention with a drain line connected to the drain 7 of the drainage box 6 to a shower water drain 8, here designed as a shower channel with a siphon. The connection between the drain 7 of the drainage box 6 and the shower water drain 8 can be realized with a pipe. The installation is shown here in front of a building wall 10 (e.g., a wall in a shower room).

[0033] The Figure 4shows a shower system 12 according to the invention with a suspended hand shower 13, and otherwise corresponds to the Figure 3 .

[0034] The Figure 5 shows a shower system 12 according to the invention analogous to Figure 4 , but additionally with a concealed pre-wall installation 11, which was placed in front of the building wall 10. The shower holder system 1, designed as a wall-mounted element, is integrated with its frame 9 flush into the wall of the pre-wall installation 11, and the drainage box 6 with drain 7 and the drain line are thus aesthetically concealed.

[0035] The Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-sectional profile of a shower system 12 according to the invention with a suspended hand shower 13 and a pre-wall installation 11. This installation corresponds to the Figure 5The cross-section clearly shows the arrangement of the individual elements. In particular, this illustration also shows the shower nozzles 4 of the shower head 3 and the through-holes 5 in the holder 2 of the shower head mounting system 1. The base of the drainage box 6 could also be funnel-shaped at the transition to the drain 7.

[0036] The Figure 7 shows similar to Figure 6 a shower system 12 according to the invention in a vertical cross-section with a suspended hand shower 13, but here the shower holder system 1 not as a wall installation element for a pre-wall installation 11, but as a surface-mounted housing on a building wall 10.

[0037] The Figure 8 shows the inventive shower system 12 of Figure 7with the surface-mounted housing and attached hand shower 13 in a perspective view. Here, a variant is shown where the water connection of the shower hose of the hand shower 13 can be integrated into an extended part of the surface-mounted housing, making the shower system 12 appear as a compact unit.

[0038] The Figure 9 shows a shower system 12 according to the invention in a vertical cross section in another embodiment of a surface-mounted variant, wherein the drainage box 6 and the drain 7 are integrated into a channel or intermediate space.

[0039] The Figure 10 shows the inventive shower system 12 of Figure 9 in a perspective view.

[0040] The Figure 11shows a vertical cross-sectional profile of a shower system 12 according to the invention in a column stand design. The drain 7 ends at the base of the column stand, and a connecting hose to a water drain 8 can be connected to a drain opening provided there.

[0041] The Figure 12 shows the inventive column stand shower system from Fig. 11 in a perspective view, with the opening in the base of the column stand for the possible connection of a drain hose to a water drain 8.

[0042] The Figure 13 shows a shower system 12 according to the invention as a combination design integrated into shower rods or grab bars. In the example shown, the drain 7 can either be connected to a drain line in the wall or possibly pass through the interior of a tubular grab bar.

[0043] At this point, it should be noted that any combination of the features described and / or shown in the figures are within the scope of the present invention, as long as the combinations are not inconsistent.

[0044] As can be seen from the description and the explanations of the figures, the present invention provides an advantageous and alternative solution for a shower head holder system and a corresponding shower system. The aforementioned application possibilities for hygienic flushing and disinfection make this invention particularly valuable in healthcare and the health care sector. Preferred areas of application are hospitals and nursing homes, but also the hotel industry and sanitary facilities in schools, kindergartens, and sports facilities, as well as all sporadically used shower facilities, for example, in commercial buildings or vacation homes. Reference sign list

[0045] The same reference symbols in the figures indicate corresponding features, even if the description of the individual figures does not always expressly refer to them. 1 Shower bracket system 2 Shower bracket system holder 1 3 Shower head 4 Shower nozzles of shower head 3 5 Through-hole(s) in holder 2 6 Drainage box of shower bracket system 1 7 Drain of drainage box 6 8 Water drain or shower water drain 9 Frame of shower bracket system 1 for wall-mounted element 10 Building wall 11 Pre-wall installation 12 Shower system (comprising shower bracket system 1 and a hand shower 13) 13 Hand shower (with shower head 3, handle, and shower hose)

Claims

1. Shower head holder system (1) with a receptacle (2) in which a shower head (3) with shower nozzles (4) directed towards the receptacle (2) is mounted, and a holding means for fixing the shower head (3) in the receptacle (2), wherein the receptacle (2) has at least one through-opening (5) in a region where the shower nozzles (4) come to rest, and the shower head holder system (1) additionally comprises a drainage box (6) with a drainage pipe (7) arranged behind the receptacle (2), wherein the at least one through-opening (5) opens into the drainage box (6), and the outlet (7) of the drainage box (6) is connectable to a water outlet (8), characterised in that the shower head holder system (1) comprises an electronic sensor which is designed to recognise whether a shower head (3) is placed in the receptacle (2).

2. Shower head holder system (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the holding means is designed as a recess or projection or depression for hanging or inserting the shower head, or as a latching device, or as a bayonet catch, or as a magnetic holder or as a counterpart to a magnetic holder.

3. Shower head holder system (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the receptacle (2) with the holding means and the drainage box (6) form an interconnected component.

4. Shower head holder system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is designed as a wall-mounted element or as a surface-mounted housing or as a pillar stand or as a combination version integrated into shower rails or grab rails.

5. Shower head holder system (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that it has a frame (9) as a wall installation element and can be installed flush with the frame (9) in a wall.

6. Shower head holder system (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the wall installation element is designed for a wall selected from a building wall (10) or a lightweight wall or a pre-wall installation (11).

7. Shower head holder system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receptacle (2) is inclined at an angle.

8. Shower head holder system (1) according to one of the previous claims characterised in that the region of the receptacle (2) with the at least one through-opening (5) is formed by a gaping hole or a perforated disc or a grid or a net.

9. Shower head holder system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drainage pipe (7) of the drainage box (6) can be connected to a water outlet (8) via a pipe or a channel or an intermediate space.

10. Shower head holder system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water outlet (8) is a shower channel with a siphon or a floor drain of a shower pipe shower with a siphon or an overflow protection of a bathtub, and that the drainage pipe (7) of the drainage box (6) is connected to the shower channel or to the floor drain or directly to the corresponding siphon or to the overflow protection of the bathtub.

11. Shower head holder system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shower head holder system comprises electric UV light sources.

12. Shower system (12), comprising a shower head holder system (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a hand shower (13) fitting with its shower head (3) into the receptacle (2) of the shower head holder system (1).

13. Use of a shower system (12) according to claim 12 for modes of operation with a shower head (3) placed in the receptacle (2) of the shower head holder system (1), selected from running in or pre-rinsing or pre-heating a hand shower (13) in the receptacle (2) of the shower holder system (1) in a shower or bath, as well as hygienic rinsing and / or disinfection of the hand shower (13).

14. Use according to claim 13, characterised in that the selected operating mode is selected manually or controlled by a control and regulation system.

15. Use according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that disinfection is carried out in a thermal manner with flow of hot water and / or with UV light sources, with Integration of sensors and each monitored by a control and regulation system, wherein a selected operating mode for disinfection is enabled by the control and regulation system when a sensor has recognised a shower head (3) placed in the receptacle (2).