ASSEMBLY SYSTEM FOR SANITARY PRODUCTS

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting system for sanitary articles according to claim 1 and a method for assembling the mounting system according to claim 18. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] EP 3 441 535 discloses a mounting frame having a frame corner formed by a notch and a bending process. A connecting piece can be inserted into the frame corner. The connecting piece has a fastening tab that is arranged so that it can be pivoted relative to the connecting piece by means of a bending process.

[0003] A disadvantage of EP 3 441 535 is that the fastening tab is bent around a bending point provided by the fastening tab for the purpose of pivoting. This leads to undesirable material stress in the area of ​​the bending point, which can negatively affect the mechanical strength. This weakens the overall assembly stability of the system disclosed in EP 3 441 535. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Based on this prior art, the invention seeks to provide a mounting system for sanitary ware that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide a mounting system for sanitary ware that can be more flexibly adapted to the existing on-site installation situation while maintaining a mechanically secure fastening.

[0005] This object is achieved by a mounting system according to claim 1. Accordingly, a mounting system for fastening a sanitary article comprises a mounting frame and at least one fastening unit. The mounting frame comprises at least one hollow profile whose side walls define an interior space. At its end, the hollow profile has an end face. The mounting frame further comprises at least one bearing structure for storing a sanitary article. The support element comprises a guide receptacle and a fastening tab which is mounted in the guide receptacle so as to be displaceable relative to the support element from an initial position into an assembly position. The support element can be inserted or is inserted into the interior space of the hollow profile. In the assembly position, the fastening tab extends from the guide receptacle and out of the interior space, i.e. from the interior, beyond the end face of the hollow profile.

[0006] In the installed position, the fastening tab forms a free end, which can then be attached to a supporting structure, such as a building wall, a column or another structure fixed in a room.

[0007] The movable or sliding mounting of the fastening tab in the guide recess has the advantage that any movement of the fastening tab does not negatively impact its mechanical stability. The fastening tab can be moved back and forth between its initial position and the assembly position several times without compromising its stability.

[0008] The mounting bracket can be pulled out of the guide slot and thus also out of the interior. This has the advantage that when the installation situation requires the use of the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket can be pulled out of the guide slot. When the installation situation does not require the use of the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket remains in the guide slot.

[0009] The end face forms the end of the hollow profile.

[0010] The support element can be inserted into the interior and, when inserted, sits firmly in place. When the fastening tab is pulled out, the support element does not move toward the hollow profile.

[0011] Preferably, the hollow profile extends vertically in the installed position, with the end face horizontal. The support element is located at the upper end of the hollow profile. The fastening tab can be pulled out of the hollow profile upwards in the vertical direction.

[0012] The expression "the fastening element is movable relative to the guide receptacle" means that the fastening element as a whole can be moved relative to the fixed support element within the guide. Preferably, one fastening unit is provided per hollow profile.

[0013] The guide receptacle is preferably designed as a longitudinal guide, with the fastening tab being displaceable substantially along a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal guide. The longitudinal axis preferably runs parallel to the profile axis of the hollow profile.

[0014] Preferably, the support element and the fastening tab are located flush with the end face of the hollow profile in the initial position or are set back in the interior space relative to the end face of the hollow profile, such that both the support element and the fastening tab are located completely within the interior space in the initial position. The fastening tab extends beyond the end face in the assembled position, as seen from the interior space. In another embodiment, the support element can also protrude slightly from the interior space, so that it protrudes beyond the end face, with the fastening tab being located completely within the guide receptacle in the initial position.

[0015] In a further development, the support element can be designed such that the support element has a cover which closes the access in the interior of the hollow profile.

[0016] Preferably, the hollow profile and the support element have an opening through which the fastening tab can be gripped and moved from the starting position to the assembly position. The opening extends through the side wall of the hollow profile.

[0017] Preferably, the fastening tab has a guide section and a fastening section, wherein in the assembled position the fastening section lies outside the guide receptacle and the guide section lies inside the guide receptacle.

[0018] In the initial position, the fastening section lies at least partially or completely in the guide recess.

[0019] Preferably, the fastening section is connected to the guide section via a shoulder section, wherein the shoulder section is designed such that a mounting surface of the fastening section lies substantially flush with an outer surface of the hollow profile.

[0020] Preferably, the fastening section has at least one fastening opening through which a fastening screw can be passed. Particularly preferably, a plurality of fastening openings are provided, which has the advantage that the installer can use the fastening opening that best suits the installation situation.

[0021] Preferably, the guide receptacle has a first guide surface and a second guide surface, wherein the fastening tab lies between the first guide surface and the second guide surface, and wherein at least one of the two guide surfaces is subjected to a spring force by a spring element such that the fastening tab is clamped between the two guide surfaces. Preferably, the two guide surfaces run parallel to each other.

[0022] The strength of the spring element is selected so that the guide tab can be extended. In particular, it is impossible for the spring element to shift due to its own weight.

[0023] Preferably, the guide receptacle has two lateral guide surfaces which extend substantially at right angles from the first guide surface or from the second guide surface.

[0024] Preferably, the fastening tab snaps into place in the assembly position via a snap-in connection on the support element and / or the hollow profile.

[0025] Preferably, the locking connection is provided by a locking tab on the fastening tab and a locking opening on the support element or hollow profile. Alternatively, the locking tab is located on the support element or hollow profile, and the locking opening is located on the fastening tab.

[0026] Preferably, the support element has side walls with outer wall surfaces. The outer wall surfaces have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the interior of the hollow profile.

[0027] Preferably, at least one spring section protrudes from at least one of the wall surfaces and acts against the inner wall of the hollow profile.

[0028] Preferably, the side walls of the support element define a cavity, wherein the spring element protrudes from an inner wall surface of one of the side walls and wherein the side wall opposite the spring element provides the first guide surface.

[0029] Preferably, the support element is fastened in the interior of the hollow profile via at least one snap-in connection.

[0030] Preferably, the locking connection is provided by a locking tab formed on the support element, which engages in a locking opening located on the hollow profile. Alternatively, the locking connection is provided by a locking tab formed on the hollow profile, which engages in a locking opening located on the support element.

[0031] Preferably, the support element and the hollow profile each have a stop, wherein the two stops are in contact with each other when the support element is inserted.

[0032] Preferably, the hollow profile has an opening on each of two sides opposite the interior. The support element also has an opening, wherein, when inserted, the two said openings provide a through-hole for a fastening screw.

[0033] The fastening screw can be used to fasten the mounting device in addition to fastening via the fastening tab or alternatively to fastening via the fastening tab.

[0034] Preferably, the spring element also has an opening which provides part of the said mounting opening.

[0035] Preferably, the support element is made of plastic and the fastening tab is made of metal.

[0036] Preferably, the hollow profile is a vertical support and the mounting device has two vertical supports running at a distance from one another, wherein the mounting device further comprises at least one cross member which is fixedly connected to the vertical supports and connects the vertical supports to one another, wherein the cross member has said bearing structure.

[0037] An assembly comprises a mounting system as described above and at least one sanitary article attached to the support structure. The sanitary article is, for example, a toilet bowl, a urinal, a washbasin, a cistern, or another water-conducting element.

[0038] A method for assembling a mounting system as described above is characterized in that that in a first step the mounting device is positioned and that, in particular if the mounting situation requires it, in a subsequent second step the fastening tab is moved from the starting position to the mounting position.

[0039] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mounting system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the initial position; Fig. 2 is the view according to the Figure 1 from a different perspective; Fig. 3 a sectional view of the mounting system according to Figure 1 ; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the mounting system according to Figure 1 in the assembly position; Fig. 5 the view after the Figure 4 from a different perspective; Fig. 6 a sectional view of the mounting system according to Figure 4 ; Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting system according to the preceding figures; and Fig. 8 is another exploded perspective view of the mounting system according to the preceding figures. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] The figures show a mounting system 1 for attaching a sanitary article. The mounting system 1 comprises a mounting frame 2 and a fastening unit 6. Using the fastening unit 6, the mounting frame 2 can be attached to a fixed supporting structure, such as a building wall or a profile element.

[0042] The mounting frame 2 comprises at least one hollow profile 3, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a vertical support. The hollow profile 3 has side walls 4 that delimit an interior space 5. The hollow profile 3 extends along a profile axis P. At its end, the hollow profile 3 has an end face 10. In the region of the end face 10, the hollow profile 3 is open. In the embodiment shown, the mounting frame 2 further comprises a cross member 35, which here extends away from the upper end of the hollow profile 3 and is oriented essentially at right angles to the profile axis P. In the installed position, the cross member 35 runs horizontally. Typically, on the other side of the cross member 35, another hollow profile (not shown in the figures) is arranged, which forms another vertical support. Furthermore, the mounting frame 2 can have additional cross members.

[0043] The mounting frame 2 further comprises at least one bearing structure to which a sanitary article can be stored, i.e., firmly attached. The bearing structure is, for example, a threaded opening into which a threaded rod can be screwed. Preferably, the bearing structure is attached to one of the aforementioned cross members.

[0044] The fastening unit 6 is, as shown in the Figures 1 and 2 shown, inserted from above into the interior 5 of the hollow profile 3. The fastening unit 6 comprises a support element 7, which has a guide recess 8, and a fastening tab 9, which is movably mounted in the guide recess 8. The fastening tab 9 is displaceably mounted in the guide recess 8 relative to the stationary support element 7 from an initial position to an assembly position. Figures 1 to 3 The fastening tab 9 is shown in its initial position. Figures 4 to 6The fastening tab 9 is shown in the assembled position. In the assembled position, the part of the fastening tab 9 that protrudes from the guide recess 8 or from the interior space 5 can be used to secure the mounting frame 2.

[0045] The support element 7 can be inserted into the interior space 5 of the hollow profile 3. In the assembled position, the fastening tab 9 protrudes from the guide recess 8 and from the interior space 5 beyond the end face 10 of the hollow profile 3. The fastening tab 9 can then be used for mechanically fastening the mounting system 1 to a supporting structure, such as a wall or another profile.

[0046] Of the Figures 1 to 6It can be seen that the support element 7 lies entirely within the interior space 5 of the hollow profile 3. The support element 7 does not extend beyond the end face 10 from the interior space 5. In the initial position, the fastening tab 9 also lies entirely within the interior space 5. In the initial position, the fastening tab 9 therefore does not extend beyond the end face 10. In the assembled position, the fastening tab 9 extends beyond the end face 10, as mentioned above.

[0047] The guide receptacle 8 is designed as a longitudinal guide. The longitudinal guide is configured such that the fastening tab 9 is displaceable essentially in the direction of a longitudinal axis L of the longitudinal guide. The longitudinal axis L is oriented parallel to the profile axis P of the hollow profile 3.

[0048] Of the Figures 2 and 5It can be seen that the hollow profile 3 and the support element 7 have an opening 11. The opening 11 is arranged such that the fastening tab 9 can be gripped from the outside through the opening 11 and moved from the starting position to the assembly position. The opening extends through the side walls of the hollow profile 3 and the support element 7.

[0049] In the Figures 7 and 8 Exploded views of the mounting system 1 are shown. In the embodiment shown, the fastening tab 9 has a guide section 12 and a fastening section 13. In the assembled position, the fastening section 13 lies outside the guide receptacle 8, and the guide section 12 lies inside the guide receptacle 8. In the initial position, both the fastening section 13 and the guide section 12 lie in the guide receptacle 8.

[0050] A shoulder section 14 is arranged between the guide section 12 and the fastening section 13. The shoulder section 14 is designed such that a mounting surface 16 of the fastening section 13 lies substantially flush with an outer surface 17 of the hollow profile 3 when the fastening tab 9 is in the mounting position. This is shown in the Figure 6 shown accordingly. The mounting surface 16 is essentially flush with the outer surface 17. This ensures that the mounting frame 2 can be arranged flush with the outer surface 17 against a day structure.

[0051] Preferably, the guide section 12 is longer than the fastening section 13 when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. However, the guide section 12 can also be shorter or of the same length as the fastening section 13.

[0052] Of the Figures 3 and 6It is shown that the guide receptacle 8 has a first guide surface 19 and a second guide surface 20. The fastening tab 9 is arranged between the first guide surface 19 and the second guide surface 20. The second guide surface 20 is subjected to a spring force by a spring element 21. The second guide surface 20 thus presses the fastening tab 9 against the first guide surface 19. In the Figure 3 , in which the fastening tab 9 is in the initial position, the distance between the two guide surfaces 19, 20 is greater than in the Figure 6, into which the fastening tab 9 lies in the installed position. Due to the arrangement of the spring element 21 and the movable second guide surface 20, the fastening tab 9 is lightly clamped in the guide receptacle 8. The clamping is such that the fastening tab 9 cannot move due to its own weight and that an installer can pull out the fastening tab 9 without great effort.

[0053] The spring element 21 is designed here as an integral component of the support element 7. The guide surfaces 19, 20 are also integral components of the support element 7.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the spring element 21 comprises two curved spring legs 36. The spring legs 36 are part of the support element 7 and protrude from a side wall 23 of the support element 7. In the embodiment shown, the support element has a cavity 25. The spring element 21 is arranged in said cavity 25 and protrudes from an inner wall surface 26 of one of the side walls 23.

[0055] Furthermore, the guide receptacle 8 comprises two lateral guide surfaces 22, which here extend essentially at right angles from the first guide surface 19.

[0056] In the assembled position, the fastening tab 9 is locked to the hollow profile 3 via a locking connection 33. The locking connection 33 comprises a locking tab 38, which protrudes from the fastening tab 9, and a locking opening 39, which is arranged in the hollow profile 3. In the Figure 6The locking of the locking tab 38 into the locking opening 39 is shown. The locking connection 33 is designed such that further withdrawal of the fastening tab 9 from the guide receptacle 8 is prevented and that pushing the fastening tab 9 back from the assembly position into the starting position is enabled.

[0057] The support element 7 has side walls 23 with outer wall surfaces 24. The outer wall surfaces 24 have a cross-sectional shape that is essentially identical to the cross-sectional shape of the interior of the hollow profile 3. In the embodiment shown, the hollow profile 3 has a rectangular, here a square, cross-section. Accordingly, four side walls 23 with corresponding outer wall surfaces 24 are arranged.

[0058] Preferably, at least one spring section 37 protrudes from at least one of the wall surfaces and acts against the inner wall of the hollow profile.

[0059] The support element 23 is secured in the interior 5 of the hollow profile 3 via at least one locking connection 27. The locking connection 27 is provided by a locking tab 28 formed on the support element, which engages in a locking opening 29 located on the hollow profile.

[0060] Furthermore, the support element 7 and the hollow profile 3 each have a stop 30, wherein the two stops 30 are in contact with each other when the support element 7 is inserted.

[0061] Furthermore, the hollow profile 3 and two opposite sides with respect to the interior each have an opening 31. Furthermore, the support element also has an opening 32. When inserted, the two openings 31, 32 form a mounting opening through which a fastening screw 34 can be passed. In the embodiment shown, the support element also has a corresponding opening, and the fastening screw can also be passed through the support element.

[0062] As explained above, the mounting frame preferably comprises two hollow profiles 3 arranged at a distance from one another, which are formed from vertical supports. Each of the hollow profiles 3 preferably has a fastening unit 6 inserted at the upper end of the respective hollow profile 3. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0063] 1 Mounting system 35 traverse 2 Mounting frame 36 spring leg 3 hollow profile 37 spring section 4 side wall 38 locking tab 5 Interior 39 locking opening 6 Mounting unit L Longitudinal axis 7 Support element P Profile axle 8 Lead recording 9 Mounting tab 10 frontal surface 11 breakthrough 12 Guide section 13 Fastening section 14 paragraph section 16 Mounting surface 17 Outdoor area 18 Mounting opening 19 first guide surface 20 second guide surface 21 spring element 22 lateral guide surface 23 side wall 24 external wall surfaces 25 cavity 26 interior wall surface 27 Snap connection 28 locking tab 29 locking opening 30 stop 31 opening 32 opening 33 Snap connection 34 Fixing screw

Claims

1. Mounting system (1) for fastening a sanitary fitting, comprising a mounting frame (2) having at least one hollow profile (3), the side walls (4) of which define an internal space (5), and which frame has an end face (10) at the end thereof, and having at least one bearing structure for mounting a sanitary fitting, and further comprising at least one fastening unit (6) having a support element (7) which includes a guide receptacle (8), and having a fastening tab (9) which is mounted in the guide receptacle (8) so as to be able to slide relative to the support element (7) from a starting position into a mounting position, wherein the support element (7) can be inserted in the internal space (5) of the hollow profile (3), and wherein, in the mounting position, the fastening tab (9) extends out of the guide receptacle (8) and out of the internal space (5) beyond the end face (10) of the hollow profile (3).

2. Mounting system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guide receptacle (8) is in the form of a longitudinal guide, the fastening tab (9) being able to slide substantially in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the longitudinal guide, the longitudinal axis (L) extending preferably parallel to the profile axis (P) of the hollow profile (3).

3. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the starting position, the support element (7) and the fastening tab (9) are located flush with the end face (10) of the hollow profile (3) or set back in the internal space (5) with respect to the end face (10) of the hollow profile (3) in such a way that both the support element (7) and the fastening tab (9) are located completely in the internal space (5).

4. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the support element (7) extends from the internal space (5) beyond the end face (10), in the starting position, the fastening tab (9) being located completely inside the guide receptacle (8).

5. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile (3) and the support element (7) have an aperture (11) through which the fastening tab (9) can be gripped and can be moved from the starting position into the mounting position.

6. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening tab (9) has a guide portion (12) and a fastening portion (13), in the mounting position, the fastening portion (13) being located outside the guide receptacle (8), and the guide portion (12) being located inside the guide receptacle (8).

7. Mounting system (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the fastening portion (13) is connected to the guide portion (12) by means of a shoulder portion (14), the shoulder portion (14) being designed in such a way that a mounting face (16) of the fastening portion (13) comes to lie substantially flush with an outer face (17) of the hollow profile (3).

8. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide receptacle (8) has a first guide face (19) and a second guide face (20), the fastening tab (9) being located between the first guide face (19) and the second guide face (20), and at least one of the two guide faces (19, 20) having a spring tension applied thereto by a spring element (21) in such a way that the fastening tab (9) is clamped between the two guide faces (19, 20).

9. Mounting system (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the guide receptacle (8) has two lateral guide faces (22) which extend substantially at right angles away from the first guide face (19) or the second guide face (20).

10. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the mounting position, the fastening tab (9) engages on the support element (7) and / or on the hollow profile (3) by means of a snap connection (33).

11. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (7) comprises side walls (23) having outer wall faces (24) which have a cross-sectional shape which is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the internal space (5) of the hollow profile.

12. Mounting system (1) according to Claim 8 and Claim 11, characterized in that the side walls (23) of the support element (7) define a hollow space (25), the spring element (21) protruding from an inner wall face (26) of one of the side walls (23), and the side wall opposite the spring element (21) providing the first guide face (19).

13. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (7) is fastened in the internal space (5) of the hollow profile (3) by means of at least one snap connection (27).

14. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (7) and the hollow profile (3) each have a stop (30), the two stops (30) being in contact with one another when the support element (7) is inserted.

15. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile (3), on two sides which are opposite one another with respect to the internal space (5), has one opening (31) in each case, and in that the support element has an opening (32), in the inserted state, the two aforementioned openings (31, 32) providing a continuous mounting opening for a fastening screw.

16. Mounting system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow profile (3) is a vertical support, and in that the mounting frame has two such vertical supports extending at a distance from one another, the mounting frame further having at least one cross member (35) which is rigidly connected to the vertical supports and which interconnects the vertical supports, the cross member having the aforementioned bearing structure.

17. Assembly comprising a mounting system according to any of the preceding claims and at least one sanitary fitting which is fastened to the bearing structure.

18. Method for assembling a mounting system according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 16, characterized in that, in a first step, the mounting frame is positioned and in that, in particular, when required by the mounting situation, in a subsequent second step, the fastening tab (9) is slid from the starting position into the mounting position.