SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A SANITARY FITTING TO A SUPPLY STRUCTURE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for attaching a sanitary fitting to a support structure and a method for attaching a sanitary fitting to a support structure.

[0002] Sanitary fittings, such as those found in sinks, washbasins, bidets, bathtubs, and / or showers, provide a liquid, especially water, as needed. For this purpose, sanitary fittings typically consist of a body with a spout for the liquid. The fitting body is mounted to a supporting structure, such as a countertop or a sink / washbasin. However, sanitary fittings often present challenging mounting conditions. The space around the countertop or sink / washbasin is usually difficult to access and offers limited room, particularly for manual installation and / or tool use.

[0003] For the simplified attachment of sanitary fittings to a support structure, fastening nuts are known, for example from US 8,231,318 B2, which can be installed manually or with conventional tools. However, the known fastening nuts require a comparatively large installation space, as the installer's hand or the conventional installation tools must be positioned directly on the fastening nut. Furthermore, a fastening nut for the simplified attachment of sanitary fittings to a support structure is known from EP 3 786 374 A1, but this nut has a design that requires a comparatively large installation space.

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of at least partially solving the problem explained above and, in particular, of providing a system for attaching a sanitary fitting to a support structure and a method for attaching a sanitary fitting to a support structure in order to enable even simpler attachment and assembly in a difficult-to-access and comparatively small mounting space.

[0005] The problem addressed here is solved by a system for attaching a sanitary fitting to a support structure with the features of claim 1 and a method for attaching a sanitary fitting to a support structure with the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0006] A system for fastening a sanitary fitting to a support structure is proposed, comprising a two-part fastening nut and an assembly tool for mounting the fastening nut. The assembly tool is tubular and has a diameter expansion at one axial end to create a detachable, positive-locking connection with the fastening nut. The assembly tool serves to mount the fastening nut to the sanitary fitting.

[0007] Terms such as "axial" or "longitudinal", "radial" or "transverse" and "circumferential" or "circumferential" refer to the rotational and longitudinal axis of the two-part fastening nut, which, due to the respective coaxial arrangement in the assembly state or in the assembly, corresponds to the rotational and longitudinal axis of the tubular assembly tool as well as the longitudinal axis of the part of the sanitary fitting with which the fastening nut can be connected.

[0008] The fastening nut serves to clamp the support structure between the sanitary fitting and the fastening nut, thereby generating a normal force acting between a contact surface of the sanitary fitting and a contact surface of the support structure. In other words, the fastening nut creates a frictional connection between the sanitary fitting and the support structure. This frictional connection is achieved by the fastening nut, which can be positively connected to the sanitary fitting, particularly via a screw connection, exerting a normal force on a contact surface of the sanitary fitting and on a contact surface of the support structure. The fastening nut can be screwed or tightened, in particular, onto an external thread of the fitting stem of the sanitary fitting.

[0009] For assembly purposes, the tubular assembly tool of the system according to the invention can accommodate lines, in particular hoses and / or cables, leading into the sanitary fitting to be fastened, as well as lines, in particular hoses and / or cables, leading out of the sanitary fitting to be fastened. In other words, such hoses and / or cables can be threaded into or guided through the tubular assembly tool and the fastening nut, which is detachably placed on the assembly tool, during or for the purpose of assembly, so that these hoses and / or cables are arranged inside the tubular assembly tool and the fastening nut. This has the advantage that the lines do not interfere with, hinder, or disrupt the assembly work, and the lines do not take up any additional space in the often already limited mounting space.This effectively simplifies the attachment of a sanitary fitting to a support structure and the installation of the fastening nut in a difficult-to-access and relatively small mounting space. Through the interaction of the tubular mounting tool with the two-part fastening nut, the system according to the invention allows for a reduction in the diameter of the fastening nut, since the fastening nut no longer needs to be tightened by hand or with relatively large conventional tools. This enables easy fastening and installation in a difficult-to-access and relatively small mounting space.

[0010] The tubular assembly tool can be made of the same material as the fastening nut or parts thereof, in particular plastic. This simplifies the manufacture of the system according to the invention. The tubular assembly tool can also be made of an elastic material. This allows the assembly tool to be bent to a certain extent, thus compensating for slight angular differences between the rotational and longitudinal axes of the fastening nut and the rotational and longitudinal axes of the assembly tool, thereby further simplifying assembly.

[0011] The tubular assembly tool can be stackable or nested with at least one other tubular assembly tool. In particular, the tubular assembly tool has a diameter expansion at a first axial end and no diameter expansion at a second axial end opposite the first axial end. Preferably, the tubular assembly tool has a defined inner diameter at a first axial end and a defined outer diameter at a second axial end, wherein the defined inner diameter and the defined outer diameter together form a clearance, transition, or press fit. This means that at least two of the tubular assembly tools can be nested together, creating a clearance, transition, or press fit between the nested tubular assembly tools.Stacking has the advantage that the overall axial length of the stacked assembly tools can be extended, so that the fastening nut can be tightened even in hard-to-reach places.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the diameter expansion of the tubular assembly tool has an annular end face for transmitting a force, particularly an axial force, acting towards the supporting structure, especially along the longitudinal axis of the assembly tool, to the fastening nut. This makes it possible to exert pressure on the fastening nut during assembly, even in the case of a difficult-to-access and comparatively small fastening space, by applying pressure to the assembly tool, thus further simplifying the fastening and assembly process.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment, the diameter expansion of the tubular assembly tool features internal teeth for transmitting a torque acting on the fastening nut. This makes it possible to apply a torque to the fastening nut during assembly, even in the case of a difficult-to-access and comparatively small fastening space, by rotating the assembly tool. This further simplifies fastening and assembly.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the diameter expansion has an internal curvature, that is, an inner bulge or protrusion, to create a force-fit connection between the assembly tool and the fastening nut. The internal curvature of the diameter expansion is particularly point-shaped or ring-shaped. This internal curvature reduces the play between the diameter expansion of the assembly tool and the fastening nut, thus creating a clamping effect, in particular an interference fit.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the tubular assembly tool has an opening or hole at the axial end facing away from the supporting structure. This allows another tool, for example a screwdriver, to be inserted through the opening to increase the lever arm for applying torque and thus generate a greater torque. This further simplifies fastening and assembly.

[0016] According to the invention, the two-part fastening nut comprises an outer, in particular cylindrical, sleeve and an inner, in particular cylindrical, ring, wherein the sleeve and the ring are arranged coaxially to each other and the sleeve surrounds the ring circumferentially, wherein the sleeve and the ring are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the ring has an internal thread and an external bulge, i.e., an outer bulge or protrusion, with an angled flank facing the supporting structure, wherein the sleeve

[0017] The inner curvature, that is, an inner curvature or elevation, has an angled flank facing away from the supporting structure, wherein the flank of the ring facing the supporting structure and the flank of the sleeve facing away from the supporting structure are designed to slide against each other, wherein the sleeve has a cylindrical projection on the side facing away from the supporting structure, extending in the axial direction over the ring, in particular over the axial end of the ring facing away from the supporting structure.

[0018] The sleeve and the ring are arranged such that their respective longitudinal axes coincide. The sleeve is designed to completely enclose the ring. The flank of the ring facing the support structure and the flank of the sleeve facing away from the support structure slide against each other when the ring is screwed onto the external thread of the fitting shaft of the sanitary fitting.

[0019] The sleeve can have a first contact surface at its axial end facing the supporting structure to establish surface contact or surface touching between the sleeve and the supporting structure, and a second contact surface at its axial end facing away from the supporting structure to establish surface contact or surface touching between the sleeve and the tubular assembly tool, in particular between the second contact surface of the sleeve and the annular end face of the tubular assembly tool.

[0020] The sleeve and the ring are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner, so that by applying torque to the sleeve the ring and thus the entire fastening nut can be screwed onto the external thread of the fitting shaft of the sanitary fitting.

[0021] The sleeve and / or ring of the fastening nut can be made of the same material as the tubular assembly tool or parts thereof, in particular plastic. This simplifies the manufacture of the fastening nut according to the invention.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the sleeve's shape features an end face, particularly an annular one, for transmitting a force, especially an axial force, acting towards the supporting structure, particularly along the longitudinal axis of the assembly tool, to the fastening nut. This makes it possible to exert pressure on the fastening nut during assembly, even in the case of a difficult-to-access and comparatively small fastening space, thus further simplifying the fastening and assembly process.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the sleeve's molded section features external teeth for transmitting a torque acting on the fastening nut. This makes it possible to apply torque to the fastening nut during assembly, even in the case of a difficult-to-access and relatively small mounting space. This further simplifies fastening and assembly.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment, the external toothing of the molded part is a splined toothing, wedge toothing, or involute toothing. This enables a positive fit that is particularly well suited for hard-to-reach and comparatively small mounting spaces.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, the ring comprises axially extending segments or webs separated from one another circumferentially by recesses, with the internal thread of the ring being formed on the respective inner surfaces of the segments. The outer curvature of the ring can be formed on the respective outer surfaces of the segments. The segments can be rigidly connected to the ring at the axial end facing the supporting structure and can be freely oscillating at the axial end facing away from the supporting structure. The segments are particularly elastic or resilient in design.

[0026] This allows the retaining nut to be quickly pressed or pushed axially a certain length onto the external thread of the fitting's stem. The retaining nut can thus be pressed onto the fitting until surface contact between the sleeve and the supporting structure is almost achieved. This eliminates the time-consuming process of screwing the retaining nut onto the fitting, threading it through each individual thread.

[0027] Furthermore, a method for attaching a sanitary fitting to a support structure is proposed, comprising the following steps: providing the system according to the invention with the two-part fastening nut according to the invention, connecting the fastening nut to the mounting tool of the system, sliding the fastening nut onto the sanitary fitting by pressing the mounting tool, screwing the fastening nut onto the sanitary fitting by turning the mounting tool.

[0028] Pipes, especially hoses and / or cables, can be threaded or passed through the tubular assembly tool and the fastening nut that is detachably placed on the assembly tool during or for the purpose of assembly.

[0029] The features, details, effects, and advantageous embodiments discussed in connection with the system according to the invention can also be implemented in the method according to the invention, and vice versa. In this respect, full reference is made to the descriptions of the method according to the invention for a more detailed characterization of its features, and vice versa.

[0030] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown therein, although the invention is not limited to these advantageous embodiments. Identical components in the figures are always provided with the same reference numerals and are therefore generally only named or mentioned once. The figures show, in detail... Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention with a sanitary fitting and a support structure in a schematic longitudinal section view; Figure 2 shows the embodiments from Figure 1 in a schematic longitudinal section detail view, Figure 3 the embodiments from Figure 1 and 2 with a sanitary fitting and a supporting structure as well as an embodiment of the method according to the invention in a schematic side view.

[0031] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention in a schematic longitudinal section. The system serves to fasten a sanitary fitting 1 to a support structure 2, comprising a two-part fastening nut 3 and an assembly tool 4 for mounting the fastening nut 3. The assembly tool 4 is tubular and has a diameter expansion 5 at its axial end facing the support structure 2 for creating a detachable, positive-locking connection with the fastening nut 3. The sanitary fitting 1 has a fitting shaft 6 with an external thread and lines 7 that project from, run from, or are routed through the sanitary fitting 1 in the direction away from the support structure 2.

[0032] Figure 2 shows the embodiments from Figure 1 in a schematic longitudinal section detail representation, whereby for the sake of clarity the assembly tool 4 is only shown cut off.

[0033] The diameter expansion 5 has an annular end face 8 at its axial end facing away from the support structure 2 for transmitting an axial force acting towards the support structure 2 and onto the fastening nut 3. The diameter expansion 5 also has internal teeth 9 for transmitting a torque acting on the fastening nut 3. This torque can be generated by rotating the assembly tool 4. Furthermore, the diameter expansion 5 has an internal bulge 10 for a force-fit connection between the assembly tool 4 and the fastening nut 3. The internal bulge 10 provides additional clamping between the diameter expansion 5 of the assembly tool 4 and the fastening nut 3. The internal bulge 10 is point-shaped and comprises three individual bulges arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction. The assembly tool 4 has an opening 11 at its axial end facing away from the support structure 2 (see figure). Figure 3), through which, for example, a screwdriver can be inserted to generate a greater torque acting on the fastening nut 3.

[0034] The fastening nut 3 is two-part and comprises an outer sleeve 12 and an inner ring 13, wherein the sleeve 12 and the ring 13 are arranged coaxially to each other and the sleeve 12 circumferentially surrounds the ring 13, wherein the sleeve 12 and the ring 13 are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner. The ring 13 has an internal thread 14 and an external bulge 15 with an angled flank 16 facing the support structure 2, wherein the sleeve 12 has an internal bulge 17 with an angled flank 18 facing away from the support structure 2, wherein the flank 16 of the ring 13 facing the support structure 2 and the flank 18 of the sleeve 12 facing away from the support structure 2 are designed to slide against each other. The sleeve 12 also has a cylindrical protrusion 19 on the side facing away from the support structure 2, extending in the axial direction over the ring 13.

[0035] The shaped element 19 has an end face 20 for transmitting a force acting in the direction of the supporting structure 2 and an external toothing 21 for transmitting a torque. The ring 13 has axially extending segments 23 separated from each other circumferentially by recesses 22, the internal thread 14 of the ring 13 being formed on the respective inner surfaces of the segments 23.

[0036] Figure 3 shows the embodiments from Figure 1 and 2 with a sanitary fitting 1 and a support structure 2 as well as an embodiment of the method according to the invention in a schematic side view.

[0037] Figure 3 a)Figure 1 shows the sanitary fitting 1 and the support structure 2, with the fitting stem 6 of the sanitary fitting 1 passing through an opening in the support structure 2. In this state, the sanitary fitting 1 is not yet attached to the support structure 2. Pipes 7 of the sanitary fitting 1 protrude from it.

[0038] Figure 3 b) Figure 3 shows the fastening nut 3 and the assembly tool 4, with the fastening nut 3 being detachably inserted onto or into the assembly tool 4. For assembly purposes, the lines 7 of the sanitary fitting 1 are threaded through the fastening nut 3 and the assembly tool 4.

[0039] Figure 3 c)Figure 3 shows the fastening nut 3 and the assembly tool 4 in a state after the fastening nut 3 has been pushed over the external thread of the fitting shaft 6 by pressing the fastening nut 3 towards the support structure 2 with the aid of the assembly tool 4, and before surface contact has been established between the fastening nut 3 and the support structure 2.

[0040] Figure 3d) Figure 3 shows the fastening nut 3 and the assembly tool 4 in a state after surface contact has been established between the fastening nut 3 and the support structure 2 and before the fastening nut 2 has been tightened by turning the assembly tool 3.

[0041] Figure 3 e) The figure shows the fastening nut 3 in a state after the fastening nut 2 has been tightened by turning the assembly tool 3 and the assembly tool 3 has subsequently been removed. Reference symbol list

[0042] 1 Sanitary fitting 2 Support structure 3 Mounting nut 4 Mounting tool 5 Diameter expansion 6 Fitting stem 7 Pipe 8 End face of diameter expansion 9 Internal toothing 10 Internal curvature of diameter expansion 11 Opening 12 Sleeve 13 Ring 14 Internal thread 15 External curvature 16 Flank of ring 17 Internal curvature of sleeve 18 Flank of sleeve 19 Molding 20 End face of molding 21 External toothing 22 Recess 23 Segment

Claims

1. A system for fixing a sanitary fitting (1) to a support structure (2), comprising a two-piece fastening nut (3) and an installation tool (4) for mounting the fastening nut (3), wherein the fastening nut (3) comprises an outer sleeve (12) and an inner ring (13), wherein the sleeve (12) and the ring (13) are arranged coaxially with respect to one another and the sleeve (12) encloses the ring (13) circumferentially, wherein the sleeve (12) and the ring (13) are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the ring (13) has an internal thread (14) and an external bulge (15) with an angled flank (16) that can be turned towards the support structure (2), wherein the sleeve (12) has an inner bulge (17) with an angled flank (18) that can be turned away from the support structure (2), wherein the flank (16) of the ring (13) that can be turned towards the support structure (2) and the flank (18) of the sleeve (12) that can be turned away from the support structure (2) are designed to be slidable on one another, wherein the sleeve (12), on the side that can be turned away from the support structure (2), has a cylindrical molded-on protrusion (19) extending in the axial direction across the ring (13), wherein the installation tool (4) is tubular in shape and has a diameter expansion (5) at one axial end for establishing a releasable, positive connection with the fastening nut (3).

2. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the diameter expansion (5) has an annular end face (8) for transmitting a force acting onto the fastening nut (3) in the direction of the support structure (2).

3. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter expansion (5) has an internal toothing (9) for transmitting a torque acting on the fastening nut (3).

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter expansion (5) has an internal bulge (10) for establishing a non-positive connection between the installation tool (4) and the fastening nut (3).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the installation tool (4) has an aperture (11) at the axial end which can be turned away from the support structure (2).

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the molded-on protrusion (19) has an end face (20) for transmitting a force acting in the direction of the support structure (2).

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the molded-on protrusion (19) has an external toothing (21) for transmitting a torque.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the external toothing (21) of the molded-on protrusion (19) is a serration, spline or involute toothing.

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (13) has segments (23) that extend in the axial direction and are separated from one another in the circumferential direction by recesses (22), wherein the internal thread (14) of the ring (13) is formed on the respective inner sides of the segments (23) .

10. A method for fixing a sanitary fitting (1) to a support structure (2), comprising the following steps: - providing a system according to any one of the preceding claims, - connecting the fastening nut (3) to the installation tool (4) of the system, - sliding the fastening nut (3) onto the sanitary fitting (1) by pressing the assembly tool (4), - screwing the fastening nut (3) onto the sanitary fitting (1) by turning the installation tool (4).