Floor level shower tray

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a shower tray device according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a floor in which such a shower tray device is integrated, and to a method for installing a shower tray device in a floor.

[0002] To create a shower, a shower floor is required, providing a surface on which a person can stand while showering and through which shower water can drain. For many decades, it has been known to create such a shower floor using a shower tray. While shower trays were originally designed like bathtubs, featuring a horizontal base with a drain opening and vertical walls extending upwards from it, typically 20 to 30 cm in height, shower trays have recently become increasingly shallower. In modern shower trays, the bathtub shape is only subtly suggested, and the walls extend only a few centimeters. This shallower design of modern shower trays not only creates a contemporary look for the shower but also makes it easier to enter the shower.However, there are technical limitations to the minimum installation height of shower trays. Firstly, a sufficient slope towards the drain opening must be maintained across as much of the tray's horizontal extent as possible. Secondly, shower trays have a considerable horizontal dimension, typically at least 80 cm x 100 cm or at least 90 cm x 90 cm, and must be as rigid as possible when walked upon. Robust support against the subfloor on which they are installed is also required, necessitating a vertically thick overall structure and a stabilizing contour of the shower tray or its support, particularly in the support area. Therefore, special precautions must be taken when using a conventional shower tray to create a level-access shower floor.In this case, the shower tray is typically installed as part of a shower tray unit, which includes a support on which the tray is mounted. The support is usually installed on a subfloor, after which a load-bearing layer, most often and preferably a screed, but also possible using a combination of wooden elements and leveling compound, is applied around the support. This layer projects vertically beyond the support by the same amount as the shower tray extends beyond it. However, this procedure is complex and prone to errors due to the interlocking of different trades, as the top surface of the load-bearing layer must project vertically beyond the support with a precisely planned offset.Furthermore, because the shower tray is positioned with its top surface next to the top surface of the floor covering, there is an increased risk of water penetrating between the shower tray and the floor covering and collecting on the floor. Another alternative for creating a level-access shower floor is to design at least a section of the bathroom floor as a shower floor.For this purpose, during the construction of the subfloor, within whose vertical extent functional installations such as drain pipes and / or underfloor heating pipes or similar are often provided, and which may include an insulating layer, a drainage channel is provided in the subfloor and the subfloor is designed with a slope towards the drainage channel, so that the subfloor can subsequently be tiled or covered with a conventional floor covering, for example floor tiles, vinyl panels, a plastic floor poured or laid on the subfloor, for example epoxy resin floor, or a cement-based covering, whereby the floor covering extends up to the drainage channel.However, this alternative to conventional shower trays requires, firstly, a sufficient slope from all sides towards the drain channel in the supporting surface, which is often inadequately implemented. Secondly, common floor coverings, especially floor tiles, tend to accumulate significantly more dirt when used regularly as a shower floor than conventional shower trays, particularly because limescale and other shower deposits can easily build up at the transitions between the floor tiles, especially in the grout lines. EP 3 815 591 A1 discloses a shower tray assembly with a shower tray that can be supported on a frame and arranged on a subfloor. The assembly has a drain section with a drain opening and a support area located outside the drain section, allowing it to be placed on the frame or on a supporting surface.

[0003] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a shower tray device, a floor comprising such a shower tray device and / or a method for installing a shower tray device in a floor, with which at least one disadvantage is at least partially eliminated that exists in conventional manufacturing techniques for a shower floor.

[0004] As a solution to the problem underlying the invention, the invention proposes a shower tray device with the features according to claim 1.

[0005] The shower tray assembly comprises a base element. The base element extends along a horizontal plane in a horizontal longitudinal direction with a length of at least 60 cm, particularly at least 80 cm, and in a horizontal transverse direction with a width of at least 60 cm, particularly at least 80 cm. The longitudinal and transverse directions are perpendicular to each other and span the horizontal plane. Preferably, the base element has a width of at least 80 cm and a length of at least 100 cm, particularly at least 120 cm. More preferably, the base element has a width of at least 90 cm, particularly at least 100 cm, and a length of at least 90 cm, particularly at least 100 cm. In one embodiment, the base element has a width of at least 80 cm, particularly at least 90 cm, particularly at least 100 cm, and a length of at least 120 cm, particularly at least 140 cm.Within its horizontal extent, the base element has a drainage opening. The drainage opening extends vertically through the base element, from its vertical top surface to its vertical bottom surface. Water that has accumulated on the top surface of the base element can drain downwards through the drainage opening. The drainage opening is located entirely within a horizontal drainage section of the base element, which constitutes a substantial portion of the base element's horizontal extent. Preferably, this section comprises at least 10%, more preferably at least 20%, and more preferably at least 30% of the base element's horizontal extent and / or extends horizontally over at least 400 cm², more preferably at least 600 cm², and more preferably at least 1000 cm², thus forming a correspondingly large horizontal area of ​​the base element.Preferably, the drainage section forms a continuous, closed rim surrounding the drainage opening. More preferably, the drainage section extends at least 3 cm, and in particular at least 5 cm, in all horizontal directions from the rim surrounding the drainage opening, so that it forms a solid section surrounding the drainage opening with a corresponding horizontal extent. Within this section, for example, a drainage pot, as described in more detail below, can be arranged on the underside of the base element to seal around the drainage opening. Preferably, the drainage section forms the support surface of the base element, described in more detail below, horizontally outside the drainage opening. The base element is preferably designed as a plate, the plate surfaces of which form the top and bottom of the base element, and whose narrow sides run vertically and connect the plate surfaces to one another.Preferably, the base element is designed like a solid slab, meaning that the slab's volume is filled by the solid material. The solid material can be, for example, a mineral casting or a polyurethane foam.

[0006] According to a solution according to the invention, the base element has a vertical thickness of at least 20 mm, in particular at least 15 mm, in particular less than 13 mm, in particular less than 12 mm, and in particular less than 11 mm, at least at a first longitudinal end and at a first transverse end over its entire longitudinal extent. In an embodiment that can be combined particularly advantageously with the aforementioned embodiment, the base element has a vertical thickness of at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, at least at a first longitudinal end and at a first transverse end over its entire longitudinal extent. The first longitudinal end defines an absolute end of the base element with respect to the longitudinal direction, and the first transverse end defines an absolute end of the base element with respect to the transverse direction.By having a correspondingly low vertical thickness at its first longitudinal end along its entire transverse extent, i.e., along its entire transverse extent, the floor element can be integrated at its longitudinal end into a very flat floor covering laid on a subfloor, in particular on a load-bearing layer applied to the subfloor, which is especially screed, for example, into a tile covering laid on a screed, where, thanks to its low thickness, it can transition into the adjacent floor covering essentially without any vertical offset. The same applies, of course, to the first transverse end. Particularly preferably, the floor element also has a correspondingly small vertical thickness at its second transverse end, which is opposite the first transverse end in the transverse direction, along its entire longitudinal extent.This allows the floor element to be integrated into the existing floor covering at both of its transverse ends and at the first transverse end. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the floor element also has a correspondingly small vertical thickness at its second longitudinal end, the one opposite the first in the longitudinal direction, over its entire transverse extent, so that the floor element can also be integrated into such a floor covering at a distance from a room wall. Particularly preferably, the floor element has the same vertical thickness at its first longitudinal end as at its first transverse end, and especially at its second transverse end and its second longitudinal end. The focus here is on the maximum thickness at the respective longitudinal end over the entire transverse extent, or on the maximum thickness at the respective transverse end over the entire longitudinal extent.The base element further comprises a slope of at least 0.7%, particularly at least 1%, particularly at least 1.2%, towards the drain opening over an area of ​​at least 0.3 m², in particular at least 0.5 m², and in particular over at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, of its total surface area. Preferably, the slope is formed over an area of ​​the top surface that comprises at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, of the total horizontal extent of the base element. Within the entire area where the slope is provided, there is thus a slope at every point on the surface with a minimum gradient as specified above, which forces the water reaching that point on the top surface to flow towards the drain opening.The surface point can, by means of the slope, direct the water, for example, to another surface point on the surface, which, due to the slope provided at that point, directs the water towards the drain opening. According to a solution according to the invention, the base element further comprises a support area that extends horizontally outside the drain section and from the first longitudinal end of the base element over at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 60% of the length of the base element in the longitudinal direction towards the drain opening, across the entire width of the base element. The support area lies completely outside the drain section horizontally. Preferably, the base element consists of the drain section and the support area.Preferably, the support area of ​​the shower tray is designed to rest on the upper surface of a screed laid on the subfloor, which is arranged horizontally next to the drain section and runs parallel to the horizontal plane. Naturally, the support area is also preferably designed to rest on the upper surface of any other load-bearing covering arranged horizontally next to the drain section on a subfloor and which has an upper surface running parallel to the horizontal plane.When used as intended, the floor element is thus supported on the subfloor, in particular the screed, with its bearing area simultaneously resting on the subfloor and extending with its drainage section alongside the subfloor, preferably overlapping it horizontally but offset vertically. The drainage section is therefore preferably free above the subfloor and thus not supported on the subfloor, so that in the described operating state, further functionalities can be provided within the drainage section, while the floor element is supported over a large area on the subfloor by means of its bearing area.In accordance with the invention, the support layer is generally advantageously arranged exclusively horizontally outside the drainage section when used as intended. In one embodiment, however, it extends horizontally overlapping the drainage section but vertically spaced from it, so that the drainage section does not rest on it and the support layer is arranged with a vertical section next to the drainage section, such that a vertical section of the support layer overlaps horizontally with the bearing area and is arranged completely outside the horizontal extent of the support layer. In general, an arrangement of sections, areas, or other geometric structures next to each other in the present description is defined in particular as an arrangement in which the sections, areas, or other geometric structures are not arranged overlapping and thus extend outside the other section or area.are arranged in a range or other geometric shape, whereby, when defining a side-by-side arrangement in a specific direction or plane, the lack of overlap in that direction or plane is naturally the determining factor. A side-by-side arrangement includes, in particular, an arrangement directly adjacent to one another, unless otherwise specified. Preferably, the floor element rests on the described upper surface of the described support surface across its entire bearing area during operation.For example, a space provided horizontally between the subfloor and the underside of the drainage section, adjacent to the load-bearing surface and the support area, can be used to accommodate a drain pot, which is then sealed around the drainage opening within the drainage section and connected to the underside of the floor element. Alternatively, a support, particularly as described below, can be provided in this space to vertically support a bearing surface formed on the underside of the floor element against the subfloor. Naturally, thanks to its suitability as described above, the support section can also be used in applications where the support area rests on a mounting frame or...The support beam is supported, which in turn is supported on the subfloor and, in the operating state of the shower tray unit, is arranged horizontally next to the drain section, and whose upper surface, on which the support area is supported, runs parallel to the horizontal plane. The support area is specifically designed such that, for the aforementioned support, it is formed on the upper surface of the aforementioned supporting surface or the upper surface of the aforementioned mounting frame when the shower tray unit is in the operating state and the upper surface of the supporting surface or mounting frame is directly adjacent to the drain section.

[0007] Particularly preferably, the drain opening is spaced at least 15%, particularly at least 20%, particularly at least 30%, and particularly at least 40% apart from at least one transverse end of the floor element, and especially at least from the first transverse end of the floor element. This is particularly preferably true for each transverse end, and thus not only for the first transverse end but also for the second transverse end opposite the first transverse end in the transverse direction, wherein the transverse ends define the transverse boundary of the floor element.Such a spacing from the respective transverse end is particularly advantageous if, in the operating state, the base element extends in the transverse direction over at least 5%, and in particular at least 10%, of its total transverse extent with its bearing area extending from the respective transverse end towards the drain opening, and / or extends in the transverse direction beyond a support described in more detail below. The inventors have surprisingly discovered that spacing the drain opening from the respective horizontal end of the base element can contribute significantly to the stability of the base element. It should be noted that, due to the spacing of the drain section from the first longitudinal end, the drain opening is already considerably spaced in front of the first longitudinal end.It is generally preferred that the drain opening be spaced at least 60%, and in particular at least 70%, of the longitudinal extent of the floor element (i.e., its length in the longitudinal direction) from the first longitudinal end. The increased robustness of the floor element resulting from this spacing of the drain opening from the respective horizontal end stems from the fact that, due to this spacing, a consistently gentle slope can be provided from the respective transverse end to the drain opening. This is particularly relevant with regard to the slope formed from the respective transverse end to the drain opening. Naturally, the drain opening terminates at a specific vertical height, which is determined by the minimum required slope across the distance of the drain opening from the horizontal end furthest from the drain opening.Especially when the base element is designed such that its length is greater than its width, with the length preferably being at least 1.2 times, and in particular at least 1.5 times, the width, a correspondingly greater slope must be provided from the respective transverse end to the drain opening so that the vertical height of the drain opening can be reached from this respective transverse end. This applies particularly when the drain opening is closer to the second longitudinal end than to the first, which is advantageous for installation and appearance. Thus, the drain opening is preferably spaced longitudinally from the first longitudinal end by a distance that is at least four times, and in particular at least five times, its longitudinal distance from the second longitudinal end.However, by providing an excessively steep gradient, the base element may become too thin at certain points, particularly at the level of the support surface described in more detail below, or at one end of the support surface and / or at one end of the bearing area, and thus outside of a vertical clearance formed beneath the drainage section. This can negatively impact stability. Therefore, spacing the drainage opening away from at least one of the transverse ends, and especially from both transverse ends, is particularly advantageous. Preferably, the drainage opening has an extent in each horizontal direction that is less than 20%, and particularly less than 15%, of the width and / or length of the base element.

[0008] The shower tray system described enables a novel, level-accessible shower floor thanks to its design. The inventors recognized that a flat, large-area floor element is particularly advantageous for this purpose. This element features a large horizontal bearing surface, allowing it to rest on the top of a screed running parallel to the horizontal plane. Due to its thinness and large bearing surface, the floor element can be easily integrated into a conventional floor covering, such as tiles. The floor element has the same thickness at its first longitudinal and transverse ends as standard floor tiles.

[0009] Accordingly, the floor element can be easily integrated by a tiler into a tiled surface laid on a level substrate, such as screed, without the need for a special supporting structure or specific preparation of the screed to accommodate the floor element. For example, it is no longer necessary to create a slope in the screed or other substrate. Rather, when the floor element is supported with its entire bearing area on a screed whose top surface runs parallel to the horizontal plane, it creates a slope towards the drain opening, so that a sufficient portion of the surface of the element has a directional component in the vertical direction towards the drain opening. Prior art has assumed that it is not possible to...to provide a correspondingly large floor element that simultaneously has a correspondingly small thickness at its longitudinal and transverse ends, integrally forms the necessary slope, and can be supported over a large area on such a screed. This is because it was previously assumed that, in such a case, due to the slope integrally provided in the floor element, the thickness of the floor element would decrease with increasing distance from the longitudinal end, where it already has a small thickness, to such an extent that sufficient stability of the floor element could no longer be guaranteed. The invention overcomes this prejudice by...that simultaneously a correspondingly large bearing area encompassed by the floor element is provided for support on a screed or other load-bearing surface, and that a drainage section encompassed by the floor element is provided next to the bearing area. Since the drainage section is provided next to the bearing area and is therefore not intended for support on the load-bearing surface, the floor element can have a geometry within the drainage section that is decoupled from the support requirement on the load-bearing surface, for example, a greater thickness than within the bearing area, thereby ensuring sufficient stability and a sufficient slope of the top surface across the entire horizontal extent of the floor element. In a particularly preferred application of the shower tray unit, in which the shower tray unit is integrated into a room floor comprising a subfloor,When a load-bearing layer and, in particular, a floor covering, especially a tile covering, adjoining the first longitudinal end and the first transverse end, is integrated, the floor element is supported against the subfloor solely by the fact that its bearing area rests on the screed and is supported on the subfloor via this screed, and, if necessary, additionally with its support surface, as described below, rests on the load-bearing surface of a support, as described below, and is supported on the subfloor via this support. Of course, the bearing area preferably does not rest directly on the load-bearing layer but is connected to the floor covering via a bonding layer made of a bonding compound, which is preferably a hardening bonding compound, for example, a tile adhesive layer with tile adhesive as the bonding compound, wherein the bonding layer typically has a thickness of less than 10 mm, in particular less than 5 mm.in particular, it has a thickness of less than 3 mm. Furthermore, the large contact area effectively prevents seepage water from penetrating between the subfloor and the base element. In contrast, conventional flush-to-floor shower tray installations, where the base element of the shower tray is positioned horizontally next to the subfloor so that it can be vertically flush with an adjacent floor covering, especially a tile, typically use a silicone strip to create a seal between the base element and the adjacent floor covering, especially a tile. Any damage to this silicone strip allows seepage water to penetrate freely between the subfloor and the base element, flow vertically onto the subfloor, and collect there.Due to the large horizontal bearing area during the installation of a shower tray system according to the invention, if the base element is not properly sealed against the adjacent floor covering, water ingress between the supporting surface and the base element is only possible via capillary action in the transition area between the bonding compound and the base element, and even then, only horizontally. Such water ingress is significantly reduced compared to the installation of conventional shower tray systems. A further advantage of the shower tray system according to the invention is that it opens up new design possibilities for the base element and can create a different spatial experience for a person stepping onto the base element after its installation. Because the base element can bear a large area of ​​support on the supporting surface, a cavity effect can be avoided.The issue that easily arises with conventional shower trays can be avoided, so that stepping onto the floor element closely resembles stepping onto a tile or other floor covering laid on the substrate, which can result in a high-quality feel underfoot. With the shower tray device according to the invention, the floor element can thus be designed like a tile and perceived by the user as part of the tiled surface. At the same time, the disadvantages of conventional level-entry showers, which are achieved by incorporating shower channels into a tiled surface as described above, can be avoided with this floor element, since, firstly, no special precautions need to be taken during the installation of the substrate, in particular no slope specifically designed for the shower channel,and secondly, because the large floor element is easy to clean. Preferably, the floor element is manufactured integrally in one piece. Preferably, the floor element has a continuously smooth surface on its upper side.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shower tray assembly comprises a support. The support has a bearing surface at one vertical end, which, in the operating state of the shower tray assembly, rests against a support surface formed on the underside of the base element. The support surface is located within the horizontal extent of the drain section and thus within the drain section of the base element, and is therefore situated exclusively outside the bearing area. Similarly, the bearing surface with which the support rests against the support surface to support the base element is also situated exclusively outside the bearing area. At its opposite vertical end, the support has a base for resting on or placing on a subfloor.The vertical and horizontal dimensions are defined for all components of the shower tray assembly with reference to the operating state, which defines a specific arrangement of the components, and thus in particular the support and the base element, relative to each other. The support is therefore designed to support the base element on a subfloor in the operating state, on which it rests or is erected with its base. The support can rest directly on the subfloor with its base or indirectly, for example, on an insulating layer applied to the subfloor. Accordingly, the support surface can rest directly or indirectly on the load-bearing surface of the support. In one embodiment, the insulating layer is encompassed by the subfloor, so that the subfloor comprises a load-bearing floor, e.g., concrete, and an insulating layer resting on the load-bearing floor.In one embodiment, an insulating layer is provided on top of the subfloor. In another embodiment, the support's base is located exclusively outside the horizontal extent of the bearing area, or exclusively horizontally outside and thus adjacent to the load-bearing surface, when in operation. In yet another embodiment, the support is designed to be supported by resting on the screed or other load-bearing surface on the subfloor, or to be erected on the subfloor in this way. The support may, for example, have a plate-like support section for resting on the screed or other load-bearing surface.The shower tray assembly has a supporting surface and a horizontally offset retaining section for supporting the floor element outside the supporting surface. The supporting section preferably has a thickness of less than 3 mm, particularly less than 2 mm, so that it can be easily integrated into a tile adhesive layer and no excessively large corresponding recess needs to be provided on the underside of the floor element, which would result in a corresponding reduction in the floor element's thickness. Preferably, when the shower tray assembly is used as intended, the support extends vertically from the subfloor to the support surface of the floor element, and the support may include a base that is placed directly on the subfloor. The support surface and the load-bearing surface are preferably congruent and thus preferably lie completely against each other in the operating state.The bearing area lies horizontally outside the support surface and thus, in the operating state of the shower tray unit, outside the horizontal area of ​​the shower tray unit in which the support's bearing surface rests against the base element to support the base element as intended on a subfloor on which it rests. In such intended use, the support bears at least a portion of the weight force exerted vertically by the base element towards the subfloor and, correspondingly, at least a portion of the weight force of a person standing on the base element during intended use of the shower tray unit.Preferably, the support is designed to transfer a vertical weight force of at least 200 N from the support surface to the base without deformation, through the interaction of the load-bearing surface and the bearing surface, so that it can hold a corresponding weight resting on its load-bearing surface above a subfloor on which it rests. In the operating state of the shower tray unit, the bearing area is preferably arranged horizontally completely outside the support, or at least completely outside the bearing surface and the bearing surface. In particular, in the operating state, it is designed to rest on the upper side of a screed or other load-bearing surface provided on the subfloor, which is arranged horizontally next to the support and runs parallel to the horizontal plane, while simultaneously supporting the support on the subfloor.When used as intended, the floor element is thus simultaneously supported on the subfloor via the supporting surface, in particular the screed, with its bearing area and supported on the subfloor via the support. Thanks to its suitability as described above, it can of course also be used in applications where the bearing area is supported on a mounting frame, which in turn is supported on the subfloor and, in the operating state of the shower tray unit, is arranged horizontally next to the support, with its upper surface, on which the bearing area is supported, running parallel to the horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the support can also be designed so that it supports the floor element on its own, without the floor element needing to rest on the supporting surface with a bearing area.The support area is designed, in particular, to provide support on the upper surface of the support surface or the upper surface of the mounting frame when the shower tray is in operation and the upper surface of the support surface or mounting frame is directly adjacent to the support beam. It is especially preferred that the support area be designed on the upper surface of the support surface or mounting frame, which is vertically at the same height as at least a section of the load-bearing surface, in particular the entire load-bearing surface of the support beam.The inventors recognized that providing a flat, large-area floor element is particularly advantageous. This element has, on the one hand, a large horizontal bearing area, allowing it to rest on the top surface of a supporting layer parallel to the horizontal plane, and on the other hand, a support surface outside this bearing area, allowing it to rest on a support structure. Thus, a sufficiently large bearing area for resting on a supporting layer is provided simultaneously, along with a support surface on the floor element for resting on the support structure of the shower tray unit.By providing the support surface and the corresponding support, the floor element can be specifically supported on the subfloor via the support, in addition to the standard floor covering. At the level of the support surface, the floor element's geometric design can be freely coordinated with the support, thus ensuring sufficient stability. The described embodiment, in which the shower tray assembly has a support, has proven particularly advantageous for very large floor elements with a horizontal extent of at least 1 m² and / or a drainage section with a horizontal extent of at least 0.1 m², and in particular at least 0.2 m².According to the invention, the provision of additional supports, which are arranged horizontally outside the support and engage the floor element at support surfaces in order to support it, is no longer necessary thanks to the possibility of bearing on the screed, but can of course still be provided additionally, especially in the context of maintaining existing structures.

[0011] In one embodiment, the beam comprises a load-bearing element and at least one support element. The support element can, for example, be designed as a base. The load-bearing element forms the beam's bearing surface, and the at least one support element forms the beam's base and is designed to rest against the subfloor and to hold the load-bearing element in place. Preferably, the load-bearing element is formed in one piece, i.e., manufactured directly as a single, continuous component. In one embodiment, the beam comprises several support brackets as support elements, each having a bearing section for resting on the supporting surface and, offset vertically and horizontally, a retaining section onto which the load-bearing element can be placed, thus forming a load-bearing surface for supporting the load-bearing element. The bearing section is particularly preferably less than 2 mm thick.The support brackets can, for example, have a stepped design, with the support section connected to the support section via a vertical step. With a corresponding design of the support, the base element is thus supported on the subfloor via the supporting surface. The support element of the support is designed to correspond to the base elements, so that it is held vertically spaced from the subfloor by the base elements, in the described embodiment by resting on the support sections of the base elements designed as support brackets. This allows, for example, a building-side drain pipe and / or a drain pot of the shower tray system to be arranged between the support element and the subfloor, and / or the underside of the base element to run vertically below the supporting surface.In another embodiment, at least some of the support elements, and in particular all of them, are designed as feet that can be placed directly on the subfloor with a foot section, thus supporting themselves directly on the subfloor and not via the supporting surface. Such feet can, for example, have a retaining section by which they are connected to the support element. This connection of the feet to the support element allows the support element to be held vertically spaced from the subfloor by the feet.Preferably, at least some of the support elements, and in particular all of the support elements, of the beam are connected to the supporting element within the edge region of the supporting element described in more detail below. This supporting element forms at least a section of the beam's load-bearing surface, thereby ensuring particularly high stability of the load-bearing surface through direct support by means of the support elements. Preferably, the support feet, in particular with their foot sections, form the support surface of the beam, with the support surface overlapping horizontally with the load-bearing surface. Preferably, the beam has several support elements designed as support feet, which are arranged horizontally spaced apart from one another at their respective locations on the supporting element. Preferably, all of the support elements of the beam are designed as such support feet.Preferably, the support feet are arranged in a horizontal end section of the support element, particularly in the edge region described herein. The horizontal end section of the support element is a section of the support element that forms an end of the support element in a specific horizontal direction and extends from this end in that specific horizontal direction over less than 20%, particularly less than 15%, particularly less than 10% of the extent, i.e., the length, of the support element in that specific horizontal direction.

[0012] Preferably, each of the support feet is height-adjustable to set the distance of the support element from the subfloor at precisely the point on the support element corresponding to that support foot. The height adjustability of the support feet allows their vertical length between the foot section, which rests on the subfloor, and the retaining section, which connects them to the support element, to be adjusted. Accordingly, the height adjustability ensures vertical alignment of the support element relative to the subfloor, while the support element is positioned horizontally relative to the subfloor by each support foot at its corresponding point.It must be taken into account that each support leg is connected to the support element at its assigned location and is connected to the subfloor at a specific point, in particular, is placed on the subfloor. Preferably, each support leg has a foot section with which it can be placed on the subfloor. Generally, each support leg has a retaining section by which it is held to the support element. Preferably, a passage for a fastening element is provided in the foot section with which the support leg can be fixed in position to the subfloor. For example, the support leg can be fixed in position to the subfloor by means of a screw-anchor connection. When installing a shower tray assembly according to the invention, or...In one embodiment of a method according to the invention for installing a shower tray in a floor, the feet of the support are generally preferably fixed to the subfloor first, and then the support element is vertically aligned, particularly by actuating the feet. The feet are preferably height-adjustable from their upper side, especially from the top of the support. The feet are generally preferably designed such that they can be positioned in different lengths, each with a different vertical length. Due to their different vertical lengths, a different distance can be set between the foot section and the support section of the respective foot, thus providing height adjustability, naturally with respect to the vertical dimension.In each of its length states, each of the support feet has a defined vertical extension length between its support section and its foot section, and this extension length is different in each length state, so that changing the length of the support foot results in a change in the distance of the supporting element at the horizontal point where the support foot is arranged or attached. Preferably, the support feet are designed such that they maintain their vertical length in every length state under a vertical compressive load of 100 N, particularly a force of 200 N. Particularly preferably, the support feet are designed such that they maintain their vertical length in every length state under a vertical tensile load of 50 N, particularly a force of 100 N.This can be achieved, for example, by providing a threaded connection or a detachable snap-fit ​​connection within each base. A vertical compressive load is defined as a force that reduces the vertical length of the bases, and a vertical tensile load as a force that increases the vertical length of the bases.By maintaining their set vertical length under both compressive and tensile loads, the feet enable the support element to bear a vertical load when loaded from above, thus creating the aforementioned compressive load. Furthermore, this effectively prevents the support element from floating when a load-bearing surface, particularly screed, is applied after the support element has been installed on the subfloor and the feet have been attached to the subfloor, which could otherwise create the aforementioned tensile load. Preferably, each foot comprises several parts, in particular a foot element for placement on the subfloor, a retaining element for attachment to the support element, and a connecting element for joining the foot element to the retaining element. The foot element can, for example, form the described foot section, and the retaining element can form the described retaining section of the respective foot.The base is fixed to the support element via its retaining section. The retaining element, which forms the retaining section, can be integrally integrated into the support element or be a separate component. Thus, the support element and base element can be partially integrated. However, at least part of the base element is a component manufactured separately from the support element, so that the support element and base element are designed as separate components manufactured at least partially independently of one another. In the preferred embodiment of the base element comprising a retaining element, a connecting element, and a foot element, preferably at least the foot element and the connecting element are components manufactured separately from the support element, and in particular, separate components that can be detached from the support element. In one embodiment, the base element and the support element are completely separate components.Preferably, the different length positions of the respective base are adjustable by moving at least some of the base components relative to each other. Preferably, the length positions are adjustable by moving the connecting element relative to the retaining element and / or relative to the base element. It has proven particularly advantageous for the connecting element to be designed as a threaded rod, whereby the length positions can be adjusted by rotating the connecting element relative to the base element and / or relative to the retaining element. Preferably, the base element and / or retaining element have a thread corresponding to the threaded rod, so that the different length positions can be adjusted by rotating the threaded rod.In one embodiment, only one of the foot element or retaining element, in particular the retaining element, has such a corresponding thread, whereas the other of the foot element and retaining element merely has a pivot bearing at a single vertical height for supporting the threaded rod outside its thread.

[0013] In one embodiment, the shower tray assembly has a surrounding frame with a horizontal extension. In the operating state, the drain section, and thus preferably the support surface of the base element encompassed by the drain section, is arranged completely within the horizontal extension of the frame, and the frame is located entirely beneath the base element in the operating state. The frame thus serves to define a horizontal section in which the drain section is arranged to achieve the operating state. The frame can therefore serve as a placeholder during the application of a load-bearing layer, for example, screed, to the subfloor, as the frame reliably maintains sufficient horizontal space for the drain section. In one embodiment, the frame is encompassed by or formed by the support, in particular by the support element.In one embodiment, the frame is formed by a frame element whose vertical height is adjustable, in particular, that can be cut to size. The adjustability of the vertical height can be ensured by the expert selection of a suitable material, for example, by choosing a cuttable material and / or by providing adaptability geometries, such as break lines.The adjustability must be designed so that the vertical height can be easily changed by an installer on a construction site using conventional hand tools, after the frame element has been fixed to a subfloor and, in particular, a load-bearing layer has been applied around the frame element to the subfloor. Specifically, adjustability must be ensured so that, starting from a state in which the load-bearing layer has been applied around the frame element and the frame element projects vertically above the subfloor, the frame element can be shortened so that it no longer projects vertically above the subfloor. For example, the frame element can be provided in addition to the beam or load-bearing element and serve only as a placeholder during the application of the load-bearing layer. For example, the frame element can be made of plastic, such as TPE foam.The frame element can, for example, be designed in the form of a cuboid, particularly an open box, so that even when made of a soft, cuttable material, it possesses sufficient robustness to allow the supporting surface to be applied right up to the frame element without deforming the frame element. Designing the frame element as a vertically open box at the top can particularly facilitate the insertion of the supporting element into the frame element. Preferably, in the operating state, the frame does not project vertically beyond the supporting surface, thus ending vertically below the top surface of the supporting surface or being vertically flush with it.Preferably, the frame has a projection arrangement on at least one of its outer sides below the top surface of the support for interlocking with the supporting surface, particularly on at least the outer side that, in the operating state, points in the same direction as the first longitudinal end of the floor element, and especially also on at least the outer side that, in the operating state, points in the same direction as the first transverse end of the floor element. The focus here is primarily on the operating state. The outer sides are horizontal. Providing such a projection arrangement has proven particularly advantageous in an embodiment where the frame is formed by the supporting element itself. The projection arrangement, or the interlocking of the projection arrangement with the supporting surface, for example, screed, can lead to additional stabilization of the support within the surrounding supporting surface.By forming the projection arrangement below the top of the beam and thus below the load-bearing surface of the beam, the projection arrangement can be easily brought into engagement with the bearing surface without impairing the load-bearing function of the beam.

[0014] In one embodiment, the support element has an edge region and a central region located horizontally within the edge region and enclosed by the edge region. For example, the edge region can form the frame described above. The upper surface of the edge region forms at least a portion of the support surface, in particular the entire support surface. The edge region projects vertically beyond the central region. Thus, the base element can preferably be placed with its support surface on the edge region and extend vertically downwards beyond the edge region within the edge region, namely within the horizontal extent of the central region. This allows for a considerable thickness of the base element within the central region, which can be particularly advantageous for the stability of the base element. Generally, the edge region and the central region are preferably integrally connected.Preferably, the edge region transitions into the central region via a step, i.e., a vertical step. Particularly preferably, the edge region has a width of at least 20 mm, and more preferably at least 30 mm, with which it surrounds the central region. This width is thus a width in the horizontal direction, and therefore a ring width with which the edge region encircles the central region. Preferably, the upper surface of the edge region lies in a plane over at least 50%, and more preferably at least 70%, and more preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90% of its total horizontal extent. Preferably, the edge region fully forms at least the portion of the load-bearing surface that, in the operating state, lies at the same vertical height as the upper surface of the bearing surface adjacent to the beam.Preferably, the edge region has a width of at least 20 mm, particularly at least 30 mm, over at least 50%, particularly at least 70%, particularly at least 80% of its circumference around the central region. More preferably, the edge region encircles the central region continuously with this width. Configuring the edge region to encircle the central region with a corresponding width offers several advantages. Firstly, this ensures particularly good support of the base element by the edge region. Preferably, in the operating state, the base element rests on the edge region over at least 50%, particularly at least 80%, particularly 100% of its horizontal extent.Furthermore, the edge area can ensure a particularly simple and reliably sealing connection of a sealing collar to the support element and, in particular, to a drain body of the shower tray assembly, which is fluid-carrying connected to the support element. In one embodiment, the shower tray assembly has a sealing collar that is sealed around the central area and is connected to the edge area in a continuous, continuous seal. This sealing collar also projects horizontally around the central area by at least 20 mm, and in particular at least 30 mm, beyond the edge area.The sealing collar can be a single, continuous component, which may already be permanently attached to the support element on several sides or which has a fastening device corresponding to the support element. Alternatively, the sealing collar can be implemented using subsequently applied sealing strips, which, for example, can be glued overlapping onto the edge area after the support has been erected on the subfloor and the supporting surface has been applied to the edge area, overlapping the supporting surface and, for example, a wall adjacent to a horizontal end, such as the second longitudinal end. In one embodiment, a fleece layer for gluing a sealing tape is provided horizontally around the top of the edge area. Such a fleece layer is particularly advantageous for ensuring a reliably sealing connection between the sealing tape and the edge area, and thus the support.The nonwoven layer preferably has a width of at least 20 mm, particularly at least 30 mm, over which it forms a continuous horizontal ring, thus forming a "nonwoven layer ring". Preferably, the nonwoven layer extends horizontally around the drain opening and / or the inlet of the drain pot. Particularly preferably, a further nonwoven layer or other reinforcing layer is provided on the underside of the support element within the same horizontal area over which the nonwoven layer on the top side extends. This further nonwoven layer or other reinforcing layer thus extends within the edge area of ​​the support element, relative to its horizontal extent. The further nonwoven layer or other reinforcing layer ensures that the support element is not subsequently affected during its manufacturing process by the application of the nonwoven layer provided on the top side.The inventors recognized that by providing a fleece layer on the top surface and a further fleece layer or other reinforcing layer during the manufacturing process of the support element, it can be ensured with particular reliability that the support element has a defined shape after the manufacturing process is complete. Since the sealing collar is, on the one hand, sealed to the edge area and, on the other hand, projects horizontally around the edge area (i.e., extends along the horizontal side of the edge area facing away from the central area), the sealing collar can be easily and securely connected to a supporting surface or wall adjacent to the support element, thus effectively preventing water ingress at the transition between the supporting surface or wall and the support element.

[0015] In one embodiment, the edge region is spaced at least 50 mm, and more preferably at least 10 cm, away from at least one horizontal end of the floor element, particularly at least from the first longitudinal end and, more preferably, from each transverse end of the floor element, when in operation. It is particularly preferred that the edge region is spaced at least 10 cm, and more preferably at least 30 cm, and more preferably at least 50 cm, away from at least the first longitudinal end of the floor element. This spacing of the edge region ensures that the floor element rests on the supporting surface over a large area when in operation. Furthermore, especially in conjunction with the advantageous provision of a sealing collar described above, the overall length of the sealing connection between the supporting element or beam and the adjacent floor covering can be kept as short as possible.Unlike conventional shower tray installations, a sealing line along the entire length of the edge of the base element is not required. Instead, it suffices for the sealing to be implemented only at the transition from the support to the floor covering, and thus from the edge area to the floor covering. Providing a support element with an edge area designed as described has proven to be generally advantageous according to the invention. Ideally, in the operating state, the edge area is at the same vertical height as the supporting covering adjacent to the edge area. This allows a floor covering, for example, tile covering, to be laid particularly easily over the transition between the edge area and the supporting covering without creating any stability risks.

[0016] The support element is preferably made of plastic, in particular by injection molding, or of plastic foam, especially PE foam. This allows the support element to be manufactured particularly cost-effectively yet with sufficient robustness. The support elements are also preferably made of plastic, in particular by injection molding. The support element preferably has a vertical thickness of at least 50 mm, in particular at least 60 mm, over at least 20%, in particular at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 70% of its total horizontal extent between its longitudinal and transverse ends. This thickness can be formed, for example, by a ribbed structure or by solid material.By designing the support element to be sufficiently thick, adequate stability can be ensured in a particularly simple way. The support element preferably has a stepped profile on its top and / or bottom, so that despite its considerable thickness, it still leaves enough space for other components of the shower tray, such as a drain.

[0017] In one embodiment, an absolute vertical lower end of the base element, formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extent of the base element and forming the first longitudinal end, is vertically offset by less than 3 mm from an absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed in the third and / or fourth tenth of the longitudinal extent of the base element, measured from the first longitudinal end. Particularly preferably, the absolute vertical lower end in the first tenth of the longitudinal extent of the base element is offset by less than 3 mm from the absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed in the third and fifth tenths of the longitudinal extent of the base element, respectively, and preferably by less than 3 mm from the vertical lower end of the base element formed in the third, fourth, and fifth tenths of the longitudinal extent.The absolute vertical lower end is the lower end of each tenth of the longitudinal extent, which, across the entire planar extent of that tenth and thus across the entire width of the floor element within that tenth of the longitudinal extent, forms the absolute lower end of the floor element. The aforementioned tenths of the longitudinal extent, i.e., the first, third, and especially the fourth and fifth tenths, preferably all lie within the horizontal extent of the bearing area. The bearing area can, of course, have a certain contour on its underside, as is common with tiles, so that it can be better bonded to the substrate using tile adhesive.The floor element can also, for example, have a sealing collar that is watertight and connected to the bearing area, or a sealing collar that is fluid-conducting and connected to the drainage opening. This collar forms the underside of the floor element and can provide a certain degree of contouring to the underside of the floor element. However, since the vertical offset over a sufficiently large longitudinal area of ​​the floor element, starting from the first longitudinal end, is always very small, the floor element can be supported sufficiently continuously on the screed along its entire length. This ensures that the floor element can be reliably and non-destructively supported on a screed that extends horizontally and flat on its upper surface, particularly via a tile adhesive layer with a maximum vertical thickness of 5 mm.Accordingly, the floor element can be easily integrated as a single component into a floor covering, especially a tile covering.

[0018] In one embodiment, an absolute vertical upper end of a transverse center of the base element is offset by a vertical displacement from an absolute vertical upper end of the transverse center in the fourth and / or fifth tenth of the longitudinal extent of the base element within the first tenth of the base element's longitudinal extent. This displacement is at least twice the displacement by which the absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed within the first tenth is spaced from the absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed within the fourth and / or fifth tenth. With regard to the tenths, it is generally assumed that the first tenth forms the first longitudinal end, and the subsequent tenths extend from the first longitudinal end at increasing longitudinal distances according to their numbering.The transverse center refers to the center of the floor element along its transverse direction. In the preferred embodiment, a height gradient of the transverse center is thus realized on the upper side of the floor element, providing a sufficient slope towards the drainage opening, since a corresponding vertical offset exists between the vertical height of the transverse center in the different tenths of the longitudinal extent, while the offset is kept small on the underside, so that the floor element can be placed on a conventional flat supporting surface and can integrally form the slope on its upper side.

[0019] In one embodiment, the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extent of the floor element, forming the first longitudinal end, and the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the third tenth of the longitudinal extent of the floor element is less than a quarter of the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extent of the floor element and the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the sixth tenth and / or seventh tenth and / or eighth tenth of the longitudinal extent of the floor element.In one embodiment, the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed at the first tenth of its longitudinal extent and the absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed at the fourth tenth of its longitudinal extent is less than one-fifth of the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed at the first tenth of its longitudinal extent and the absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed at the eighth tenth of its longitudinal extent. The aforementioned embodiments can, in particular, be combined with one another.In the described embodiment, there is therefore only a slight or no offset between the absolute lower ends within the first tenths of the longitudinal extent starting from the first longitudinal end, whereas in the further course of the longitudinal extent a significant vertical offset is provided between the absolute vertical lower ends. For example, the vertical offset formed between the absolute vertical lower ends in the first tenth and the third tenth and / or in the first tenth and the fourth tenth can be less than 3 mm, in particular less than 2 mm, in particular less than 1 mm, while the vertical offset between the absolute vertical lower ends formed in the first tenth and the sixth tenth and / or in the first tenth and the eighth tenth is at least 5 mm, in particular at least 7 mm, in particular at least 10 mm.In the particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention, the offset can thus be kept particularly small at the level of the bearing area, which preferably extends over the specified first and third, and especially fourth, tenths, while a substantial offset subsequently occurs on the underside. Accordingly, outside the bearing area, the vertical thickness of the base element can increase significantly along the longitudinal direction up to the drain opening. This ensures sufficient thickness and thus stability of the base element outside the bearing area, while the base element continues to form a slope towards the drain opening on its upper side outside the bearing area.

[0020] In one embodiment, the bearing area extends horizontally outside the drainage section, particularly outside the support surface, starting from the first transverse end of the base element, over at least 10%, particularly at least 20%, and particularly at least 30% of the width of the base element along its entire length in the transverse direction towards the drainage opening. Particularly preferably, the bearing area further extends horizontally outside the drainage section, particularly outside the support surface, starting from the second transverse end of the base element opposite the first transverse end in the transverse direction, over at least 10%.In particular, over at least 20% of the width of the floor element along its entire length in the transverse direction towards the drain opening. Since the bearing area extends a considerable transversely over the entire length of the floor element, starting from the first transverse end and especially from the second transverse end, the floor element, with its bearing area, can also be placed on the aforementioned horizontal, flat surface of the screed, as explained above, over a significant portion of its transverse extent at the first and especially at the second transverse end. This allows for particularly easy integration of the floor element into a floor structure at the transverse end(s), and further advantages explained above with reference to the first longitudinal end can also be realized.For example, inhibiting the ingress of seepage water and preventing a void effect when the floor element is walked on. Preferably, the bearing area is formed only at the first longitudinal end and the first transverse end, and especially at the second transverse end of the floor element, but not within a region at the second longitudinal end of the floor element opposite the first longitudinal end, spaced at least 20% of the width in the transverse direction from both transverse ends. This can offer the particular advantage that the floor element can be supported at its second longitudinal end against a wall without bearing on a surface running along the wall.The floor element can be installed in a room floor where screed strips are difficult to implement. For example, the drain opening can be provided in a longitudinal end region of the floor element that forms the second longitudinal end. For example, this longitudinal end region can be supported against a subfloor by the support beam and thus comprise a section of the supporting surface. For example, the floor element can be installed in a room floor in a transverse region of its second longitudinal end that is symmetrically distributed around the transverse center and extends continuously over at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, and in particular at least 50% of the width, held exclusively by the support beam and, outside the transverse region, by the transverse ends adjacent to the second longitudinal end. In an embodiment in which the drain opening is spaced apart from the second longitudinal end, the bearing area extends horizontally outside the drain section, in particular outside the supporting surface.Starting from the second longitudinal end of the base element, the support area extends at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, and in particular at least 30% of its length across its entire width in the longitudinal direction towards the drain opening. In embodiments where the support area extends from the first transverse end and in particular from the second transverse end of the base element towards the drain opening, the absolute vertical lower end of the base element, formed in the first tenth of the transverse extent of the base element that forms the respective transverse end, is preferably offset vertically by a distance of less than 3 mm from an absolute vertical lower end of the base element formed in the second and / or third tenth of the transverse extent of the base element, measured from the respective transverse end.Furthermore, preferably an absolute vertical upper end of a longitudinal center of the floor element in the first tenth of the transverse extent of the floor element, forming the respective transverse end, is offset by a vertical offset to an absolute vertical upper end of the longitudinal center in the second and / or third tenth of the transverse extent of the floor element, which is at least twice the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed within the first tenth and within the second and / or third tenth.that the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the first tenth of the transverse extent of the floor element and the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the second and, in particular, the third tenth of the transverse extent of the floor element is less than a quarter of the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the first tenth of the transverse extent of the floor element and the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element formed in the fourth and / or fifth tenth of the transverse extent of the floor element.

[0021] The shower tray assembly is generally preferably designed in its operating state for integration into a tile covering applied to the top of the screed or other load-bearing covering provided on the subfloor, and adjoining at least the first longitudinal end, preferably the first longitudinal end and the first transverse end, and particularly preferably the first longitudinal end, the first transverse end, and the second transverse end. It is preferably provided that the tile covering adjacent to the respective end of the floor element has the same vertical height as the respective horizontal end of the floor element.

[0022] In one embodiment, the drainage section and / or the support surface is arranged exclusively in a longitudinal end region of the floor element outside its bearing area. This longitudinal end region extends over less than 50%, particularly less than 40%, and particularly less than 30% of the length of the floor element and terminates at a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end in the longitudinal direction. By providing the drainage section or the support surface in the longitudinal end region, the support can be installed particularly easily on the subfloor, and especially on a wall. A load-bearing layer, particularly screed, can then be applied around the support, and the floor element can be placed on the load-bearing layer and the support. The drainage opening is particularly preferably located exclusively within the longitudinal end region, and particularly preferably also independently of the preferred arrangement of the drainage section or support surface described above.The support surface is arranged exclusively within a longitudinal extension area of ​​the floor element, which extends from the second longitudinal end over less than 30%, and in particular less than 20%, of the length of the floor element. This makes it particularly easy to direct water from the drain opening to a drain located near the second longitudinal end, which is especially advantageous when installing the shower tray in a floor where the drain, and thus the second longitudinal end, is located close to a wall.The preferably provided support extends longitudinally from the drain opening over a significant portion of the floor element's length towards the first longitudinal end, in particular over at least 10% of the floor element's length when the floor element is longer than 120 cm. This extension is more preferably over at least 20%, and more specifically at least 30%, of the length in the longitudinal direction from the drain opening to the first longitudinal end. Providing the drain opening in this longitudinal end area is advantageous both for connecting to a drain and for showering comfort, as the drain opening is located at the edge and therefore not within a commonly used standing area of ​​the floor element.The provision of the drain opening in the aforementioned longitudinal end region is made particularly advantageous by the especially preferred embodiment in which, firstly, a support area extending towards the second longitudinal end is provided at the first longitudinal end opposite the second longitudinal end, and secondly, a support is provided outside the support area whose geometry is specifically adapted to the geometry of the base element, so that the base element can extend over the support with considerable longitudinal extent and vertical thickness. Generally, and particularly preferably, the drain opening is arranged within the horizontal extent of the support. It should be noted here that the support can be designed in any way to fulfill its load-bearing function. In one embodiment, the support has several spaced-apart feet arranged horizontally around the drain opening.In one embodiment, the support has a housing with a housing wall that encloses the drain opening. Preferably, the housing wall is completely enclosed around the drain opening and / or forms several support feet. Preferably, the housing wall forms the support surface on its upper side and the base on its lower side. More generally, the support preferably includes a drain pot that has a water-carrying inlet connected to the drain opening and an outlet connectable to a wastewater pipe, and which is connected to the support surface, preferably integrally connected, when the shower tray is in operation. For example, the support can have a housing with a housing wall, wherein the housing integrally forms the drain pot. For example, the support can have support feet that are connected to the drain pot when in operation, with the drain pot being designed as a separate component from the support feet.

[0023] According to the invention, the underside of the base element has a first section formed by the support area and a second section arranged longitudinally between the drain opening and the support area, the second section being offset vertically downwards relative to the first section. Particularly preferably, the second section is offset vertically downwards by at least 3 mm, and more preferably by at least 5 mm, relative to the first section. The second section is preferably formed by the drain section. Particularly preferably, the underside has a vertical offset outside the support area, with respect to the longitudinal direction, transitioning from the first section to the second section. The offset can, for example, be stepped, so that the underside forms a vertical step downwards at the transition from the first section to the second section.In general, the first section can transition into the second section via a contour with a component extending vertically. Providing a first and second section on the underside allows for a greater thickness of the base element within the horizontal extent of the second section, which is thus formed outside the bearing area. This enables the base element to exhibit sufficient robustness by creating a slope towards the drain opening. The preferably provided support surface of the base element extends at least partially between the first and second sections of the underside of the base element and / or within the second section of the underside. Particularly preferably, the top surface within the first section has a shallower slope along the longitudinal direction than in the second section.The slope along the longitudinal direction refers to the gradient of the upper surface along the longitudinal direction with respect to the vertical. Naturally, the slope leads towards the drain opening. Preferably, the bottom element in the second section has a greater vertical thickness than in the first section. More generally, the second section is also formed transversely between the first section and the drain opening. Preferably, the underside with the aforementioned offset transitions from the first section to the second section both longitudinally and transversely. Preferably, the second section surrounds the drain opening horizontally, preferably completely, and preferably, the underside with the aforementioned offset transitions from the first section to the second section circumferentially around the drain opening, preferably completely.Preferably, the upper surface within the first section has a less pronounced slope along the transverse direction than in the second section.

[0024] In one embodiment, the underside of the base element has a third section arranged between the first and second sections of the underside of the base element. This third section lies at the same vertical height as the first section and, in particular, forms at least a portion of the preferably provided support surface, and more specifically, forms the entire support surface. Preferably, in the operating state, the third section of the underside of the base element rests on the preferably provided edge region, the edge region correspondingly forming a portion of the preferably provided bearing surface or the bearing surface of the support. Thus, the support surface of the base element generally and preferably extends at least partially at the same vertical height as the underside of the base element in the first section of the underside of the base element formed by the bearing area.This can particularly facilitate the installation of the floor element on a floor or a supporting surface provided on the floor by means of the support. Preferably, the second section of the underside of the floor element has a smaller horizontal extent than the central area of ​​the support, so that the floor element is horizontally displaceable relative to the support or the support element of the support, while its third section rests on the edge area and thus on at least a section of the supporting surface or the entire supporting surface. Since the second section of the underside of the floor element is vertically offset from the first and third sections, the second section projects vertically downwards beyond the edge area or the supporting surface formed by the edge area or the section of the supporting surface formed by the edge area.Thus, when the floor element rests on the edge area with its third section, it can only be moved horizontally relative to the supporting element until the vertical step formed between the first and second, and third and second sections, abuts the edge area. However, since the second section has a smaller horizontal extent than the central area, a certain amount of play is provided between this step, which defines the underside of the second section, and the edge area, allowing for some movement of the floor element relative to the supporting element. This enables readjustment of the floor element's horizontal position when it is placed on a support that is anchored or fixed to the subfloor.The described offset is preferably provided between the third section and the second section, whereas the first section and the third section run at the same vertical height. Preferably, the third section completely surrounds the second section horizontally. Preferably, the first section completely surrounds the third section horizontally.

[0025] The floor element preferably has a stiffening structure, for example, reinforcement and / or a fiber insert, at the transition between the first and second sections. Particularly preferably, the third section described above is provided between the first and second sections, with the floor element having the stiffening structure at the transition between the third and second sections. The stiffening structure increases the breaking strength of the floor element. For example, the floor element can be made essentially of plastic, such as a polymer or PU foam, or it can be formed essentially as a mineral cast tile. The floor element thus consists essentially of a base material that is particularly responsible for the appearance and feel of the floor element, especially on its upper surface.The stiffening structure is an embedded element in the base material. For example, the stiffening structure can comprise reinforcement with metal wires, particularly a metal mesh. The stiffening structure can also comprise glass fibers. It is particularly preferred that the stiffening structure is provided only locally, and not over the entire horizontal extent of the base element, at the transition between the first and second sections.The inventors recognized that, particularly in the transition between the first and second sections, and especially between the third and second sections, the design of the base element results in a very small thickness, making the base element more susceptible to breakage in this area. Conversely, the vertical offset between the first and second sections, and the associated potential vertical thickening of the second section, can provide greater fracture strength due to its increased thickness. Preferably, the stiffening structure extends over the entire horizontal area of ​​the base element where it has its minimum vertical thickness. In one embodiment, the stiffening structure extends over the entire horizontal extent of the base element.In one embodiment, the base element is designed as a layered structural element comprising several layers arranged vertically one above the other. Preferably, each layer extends over at least 50%, more particularly at least 70%, more particularly at least 90%, more particularly at least 100% of the horizontal extent of the base element. For example, the layers differ in at least one mechanical property, in particular hardness, fracture toughness, tensile strength, and / or surface finish. This preferably allows for the advantageous provision of a base element that possesses the required geometric dimensions, load-bearing capacity, and surface finish. For example, at least one of the layers can be designed as a paint layer, a mineral casting layer, an injection-molded plastic layer, and / or a fiber layer.In one embodiment, the slope formed on the upper surface along the longitudinal direction from the first longitudinal end towards the drain opening, and particularly along the transverse direction from the first transverse end towards the drain opening, and particularly along the transverse direction from the second transverse end towards the drain opening, is formed at least predominantly, and in particular completely, within the support area by a reduction in the vertical thickness of the base element within the area over which the slope is formed, starting from the vertical thickness provided at the first longitudinal end, first transverse end, or second transverse end. The slope is thus formed primarily by the reduction of the vertical thickness.By creating the slope through a reduction of the vertical thickness provided within the horizontal extent of the aforementioned area, the underside of the floor element can have a constant vertical height profile over the longitudinal extent and, in particular, the transverse extent of the bearing area within the bearing area.

[0026] In one embodiment, the floor element has a greater vertical thickness at its second longitudinal end, opposite the first longitudinal end, than at its first longitudinal end. This allows the floor element to be designed to be particularly robust at its second longitudinal end, and when the floor element is positioned with its second longitudinal end against a wall, this can ensure that as little water as possible used for showering reaches the wall. The inventors have recognized that, at the second longitudinal end, but outside the transverse ends adjacent to the second longitudinal end, the thickness of conventional tiles does not need to be considered when installing the floor element with its second longitudinal end against a wall. Particularly preferably, the upper surface has a greater average slope in the longitudinal direction from the second longitudinal end towards the drain opening than from the first longitudinal end towards the drain opening.

[0027] In one embodiment, the shower tray assembly comprises a drain pan with an inlet and an outlet. In the operating state, the inlet is water-carrying, in particular aligned with the drain opening of the base element, and is arranged beneath the base element to receive water flowing vertically downwards through the drain opening. In one embodiment, a seal is provided around the drain opening, ensuring a continuous seal between the base element and the drain pan around the drain opening in the operating state. In any case, in the operating state, the inlet is arranged relative to the drain opening such that water entering the drain opening from the top of the base element is directed from there to the inlet of the drain pan, which is located on the underside of the base element.The drain is designed for connection to a building drainpipe, preferably for conveying water into the drainpipe. This water enters the drain pan via the drain opening and the inlet connected to it during operation. The drain pan preferably features an odor trap between the inlet and the drain. The drain pan is preferably arranged horizontally exclusively within the drain section of the base element. Preferably, the drain pan is continuously sealed around the drain opening and attached to the underside of the base element.

[0028] In one embodiment, the shower tray assembly has a connecting unit located on the underside of the base element. This unit connects the drain opening to the drain pot in such a way that any water exiting the drain opening on the underside of the base element is directed to the inlet of the drain pot. The connecting unit is thus designed to ensure that water exiting the drain opening on the underside of the base element is directed to the inlet of the drain pot. In one embodiment, the connecting unit is formed by the support or, at least in the operating state, is attached to the support independently of the base element, and in particular, is fixed in position.In one embodiment, the connecting unit is formed by the support element of the beam as described above, or at least in the operating state, it is attached to the support element of the beam independently of the base element, and in particular, it is fixed in position. The connecting unit preferably extends predominantly, and in particular exclusively, to the underside of the base element. In the operating state, the connecting unit preferably completely encloses the drain opening or is continuously and sealingly connected to it along a circumferential inner surface. In one embodiment, the connecting unit and the base element are designed to correspond to each other in such a way that water flow is ensured over a horizontal displacement range of the base element relative to the connecting unit.The base element can thus be arranged in various horizontal positions relative to the connecting unit over a sliding range, with the connecting unit ensuring water flow from the drain opening to the inlet of the drain pot in each of these positions. Preferably, the sliding range corresponds to the horizontal range described above, within which the base element can be moved horizontally relative to the support, while its third section rests on the edge area and its second section is enclosed by the edge area.This allows for particularly simple and practical installation of the shower tray unit in a floor, since, firstly, the base element can still be adjusted in its horizontal position relative to the support due to the sliding range, while the support is already fixed in position to the subfloor. Secondly, across the sliding range, it is always ensured that, in every horizontal position of the base element relative to the support within the sliding range, the drain opening is reliably sealed and fluid-conducting, connected to the drain pot located vertically below the base element. Preferably, the base element is movable relative to the connection unit from its operating state, while the connection unit remains unchanged and connected to the drain pot.For example, the base element can be horizontally movable relative to the connection unit across its sliding range, while the connection unit remains in a fixed position relative to the drain pot. In this configuration, the connection unit is sealed to the inlet of the drain pot and ensures the aforementioned water flow in every position of the base element across its sliding range. Preferably, the base element can be vertically removed from the connection unit from its operating state, while the connection unit remains unchanged and attached to the drain pot. Thus, the base element can be removed from the connection unit and the drain pot, for example, for maintenance or installation purposes, particularly simply by a vertical relative movement of the base element relative to the connection unit, while the connection unit remains unchanged and attached to the drain pot.Preferably, the water-bearing connection between the drain opening and the drain pot is established by means of the connecting unit during the installation of the floor element, starting from a state in which the connecting unit is already connected to the drain pot, but the floor element is still removed from the connecting unit and not yet connected to it, simply by placing the floor element vertically with its underside onto the connecting unit. The inventors have recognized that the described embodiments can offer the particular advantage that during the construction of a floor, or...During the installation of a shower tray in a floor, in a first step involving the application of a supporting layer to a subfloor, the connecting unit can be sealed to the drain body, thus providing the essential seal. The water-bearing connection between the floor element and the connecting unit can then be established by simply placing the floor element onto the connecting unit, preferably simultaneously with placing it onto the supporting layer and, in particular, a support for the shower tray. Preferably, the supporting element is designed as a water-bearing component that includes the connecting unit. This allows the supporting element, in its operational state, to collect any water that escapes from the drain opening on the underside of the floor element and direct it to the inlet of the drain body.In particular, the support element can be designed to ensure water drainage from its edge to the inlet of the drain pan. Especially when a sealing collar is preferably provided, which is connected to the edge and the adjacent supporting surface during operation, this can ensure particularly reliable water drainage in a room floor from the supporting surface adjacent to the support to the inlet of the drain pan.

[0029] In one embodiment, the shower tray assembly features a ring seal which, during operation, is positioned between the underside of the base element and the connecting unit. This ring seal seals the base element around the drain opening against the connecting unit. The ring seal reliably ensures that, during operation, water exiting the drain opening on the underside of the base element is directed as directly as possible to the connecting unit and through it to the drain pot. Preferably, the ring seal is made of a plastic, particularly an elastic plastic. Preferably, the ring seal is fixed in position to either the base element or the connecting unit, the two components that interact for water flow, and is movably arranged relative to the other of the two components involved in water flow, i.e., the connecting unit or the base element, during operation.In one embodiment, at least either the underside of the base element or the top side of the connecting unit has a planar sealing area that extends horizontally beyond the ring seal, wherein the ring seal abuts the planar sealing area in a sealing manner in every possible position of the base element within the displacement range. In particular, the ring seal occupies a different position relative to the planar sealing area in each different position of the base element relative to the connecting unit. Preferably, the other of the two components cooperating for water conveyance, as described above, has the planar sealing area, so that the ring seal can slide along the planar sealing area of ​​the other component cooperating for water conveyance while being fixed to the first component cooperating for water conveyance.The ring seal can be designed, for example, as a separate ring seal or as an injection-molded ring seal. The ring seal can be continuously closed around the drain opening or have small gaps to allow seepage water to drain away. Preferably, the ring seal extends around the drain opening for at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, and in particular at least 90% of its circumference.

[0030] In one embodiment, the connecting unit has a nozzle element that, in the operating state, is sealed to the inlet of the drain pot by a connecting seal. The connecting seal can, for example, be a radially or axially acting ring seal. In one embodiment, the connecting seal is a separate component from the drain pot and the connecting unit; in another embodiment, it is integrated into the drain pot or the connecting unit, for example, as a seal integrally integrated into the respective component by injection molding or overmolding. Particularly preferably, the connecting seal is designed to ensure a completely closed seal around the clear cross-section of the nozzle element, thus preventing water from passing between the nozzle element and the drain pot.Preferably, the nozzle element projects into the inlet of the drain pot during operation and is sealed against it by the connecting seal. In one embodiment, the support element comprises the nozzle element. Preferably, the nozzle element is fixed to the support element, at least during operation, and in particular fixed in position. The support element can, in particular, be designed as a plastic part that integrally forms the nozzle element. In another embodiment, the nozzle element is a component separate from the support element, which is connected to the support element during operation, and in particular sealed. In one embodiment, the support element forms the planar sealing area.In one embodiment, the connecting unit has a flange circumferentially surrounding the drain opening, which forms the planar sealing section and is either sealed to or encompassed by the spigot element. This makes the planar sealing section, and thus the water-bearing connection between the drain opening and the drain pot access point, which is tolerant of horizontal play, particularly easy to implement. The ring seal can, for example, be fixed in position to the underside of the base element or fixed in position to the top of the flange. In another embodiment, the shower tray assembly includes a drain box that forms the support and whose horizontal extension is arranged completely outside the bearing area of ​​the base element in the operating state.The drain box has a housing that at least partially, and in particular completely, forms the support surface and the base of the preferably provided support. Preferably, the drain box, and in particular the housing of the drain box, forms the drain bowl with the inlet and outlet. Particularly preferably, the base element has the described vertical offset on its underside within the horizontal extent of the support, and in particular within the horizontal extent of the drain box that forms the support. Particularly preferably, the housing has a housing wall that horizontally encloses an interior space, wherein, in the operating state of the shower tray assembly, the base element rests with its support surface on the housing wall and has a vertical downward offset on its underside extending from the housing wall towards the interior space.The offset is preferably at least 3 mm, particularly at least 5 mm, particularly at least 7 mm, and particularly at least 10 mm. The offset can be formed by the step in the underside of the base element as described above. The housing wall can enclose the housing interior horizontally without interruption or with horizontal interruptions. In the case of a continuous enclosure of the housing interior, the housing wall can form the wall of the drain pan.Particularly preferably, the housing wall is designed to correspond to the base element such that the base element has a projection on its underside which, in the operating state, is horizontally enclosed by the housing wall and is spaced, in particular, by less than 5 mm, more particularly less than 3 mm, and more particularly less than 1 mm, from the two transverse ends of the housing interior defined by the housing wall and from the longitudinal ends of the housing interior defined by the housing wall. This allows the relative position of the drain box and the base element with respect to the horizontal to be easily and precisely predetermined in the operating state. Generally preferably, the support surface extends outside the housing interior on both longitudinal sides and both transverse sides.Generally, the support surface preferably extends along the transverse direction over at least 30%, particularly at least 50%, and particularly at least 70% of the width of the base element, especially in the described preferred embodiment with the drain box extending outside the housing interior at both longitudinal ends. Particularly preferably, the support surface extends longitudinally over at least 20%, and particularly at least 30% of the length of the base element, and in the described preferred embodiment of the drain box, preferably along both transverse sides outside the housing interior.

[0031] When providing a drain box, the housing of the drain box is generally preferably designed to carry water and forms the inlet and outlet of the drain pot. Particularly preferably, the shower tray assembly includes a sealing collar that, in the operating state, is sealed to the drain pot and / or to the housing of the drain box and is designed to rest on the supporting surface with a horizontal extension beyond the first longitudinal end of the floor element when the support area of ​​the floor element rests on the top of the supporting surface. When the shower tray assembly is used as intended, where it is integrated into a floor, the sealing collar is thus sealed to the drain pot or the drain box and extends horizontally beyond the floor element, in particular at least to its first longitudinal end and first transverse end, and especially to all horizontal ends of the floor element.Accordingly, when supporting the bearing area on the top surface of the load-bearing layer of a floor, the sealing collar can first be placed on the top surface of the load-bearing layer and sealed to it, and the bearing area can then be supported by the sealing collar on the top surface of the load-bearing layer. The sealing collar can provide additional security to prevent any ingress of seepage water into the load-bearing layer. Particularly preferably, the sealing collar is designed to form a sealing connection to a second longitudinal end of the floor element, arranged vertically opposite the first longitudinal end. Accordingly, the sealing collar, with its horizontal section extending beyond the second longitudinal end, can be positioned on the wall and, in particular, sealed to it.This ensures a particularly reliable watertight transition from the wall to the outlet of the drain pot or drain box, which can effectively prevent water from reaching the subfloor at the transition from the wall to the floor element.

[0032] In one embodiment, the floor element is designed as a mineral cast tile or a plastic tile. A mineral cast tile is a cast tile whose material is a mixture of minerals and plastics. Such mineral cast tiles have been known in the art for decades. These mineral cast tiles have the particular advantage that they can be easily manufactured even in complex three-dimensional shapes and can be integrated particularly well into a tiled surface, both visually and tactilely. Furthermore, such mineral cast tiles are easy to maintain. If the floor element is designed as a plastic tile, it can also be manufactured, for example, using a plastic casting process, which also allows for the easy production of complex three-dimensional shapes.

[0033] For example, the floor element can be designed as a PU foam plastic tile. This provides an inexpensive, robust, and visually and tactilely appealing plastic tile. Particularly preferably, the floor element is manufactured as described above, similar to a slab made from a solid material of mineral casting and / or plastic and / or ceramic. In one embodiment, the floor element is made of enameled steel. In another embodiment, the floor element is multi-layered. Particularly preferably, the floor element comprises a cured casting compound, especially a plastic compound, in which ceramic particles are preferably embedded, forming the top surface of the floor element. The floor element can, for example, have a base body onto which the casting compound is applied.In one embodiment, part of the floor element is realized by producing at least a section of its bearing area directly by pouring casting compound onto the supporting surface.

[0034] In one embodiment, the base element is designed such that it can be cut to a shape whose horizontal boundary lies within the bearing area, wherein the base element in the cut shape is suitable for realizing the operating state of the shower tray assembly, and thus the shower tray assembly with the base element cut to the shape can be used in its operating state as described herein. The described embodiment takes advantage of the special property of the base element of the shower assembly according to the invention, namely that the base element can be arranged outside the supporting surface over its drainage section.that its support surface can preferably be supported on the carrier and simultaneously supported via its bearing area on a load-bearing surface, in particular a screed, so that the shape of the floor element can be adapted to the spatial conditions for the realization of a room floor with the shower tray unit. This can be particularly advantageous for the realization of renovations as well as for the cost-effective production of the shower tray unit, since the floor element can be manufactured in large areas and cut to size according to the design requirements. The floor element cut to the desired shape thus only has a portion of the bearing area of ​​the original floor element, which can be referred to as the starting floor element. Preferably, the floor element can be cut to any desired shape whose horizontal boundary lies within the bearing area of ​​the floor element.The boundary of the cut shape lies within the support area and therefore always outside the support surface of the base element, and thus between the support surface and the horizontal boundary of the original base element before it is cut.

[0035] In one embodiment, the shower tray assembly includes a cover that is detachably connected to the base element during operation and partially closes the drain opening. The cover can serve both to visually conceal the drain opening and to prevent significant amounts of dirt from entering it. Preferably, the cover is plate-like. Preferably, the drain opening is formed within a recess on the top of the base element, into which the plate-like cover can be inserted, particularly flush with the surface, and / or the cover is supported during operation by the preferably provided drain box and / or drain pot. Preferably, the cover itself has openings, for example, at least one slot or one or more round holes.The shower device is generally preferably designed in such a way that, with a water inflow of 0.5 l / s, in particular 0.6 l / s, in particular 0.7 l / s, in particular 0.8 l / s, in particular 1.0 l / s, which is evenly distributed over the horizontal extent of the floor element, the water can be completely discharged downwards from the top of the floor element via the drain opening, in particular through the drain of the drain pot.

[0036] A support for installing a floor element on a subfloor or in a room floor is also disclosed. The support serves to achieve an operating state in which the floor element is integrated into a floor covering of the room floor horizontally adjacent to the floor element, which is arranged on a supporting layer provided on the subfloor. The floor element, for whose installation the support is suitable, extends horizontally along a horizontal plane with a length of at least 60 cm, in particular at least 80 cm, and with a width of at least 60 cm, in particular at least 80 cm, in a horizontal transverse direction.The floor element has a horizontal drainage section that forms a portion, in particular at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, and / or at least 400 cm², of the horizontal extent of the floor element, and within which a drainage opening of the floor element is formed. This opening extends vertically from the top of the floor element through the floor element to its underside, the underside of the floor element forming a support surface within the drainage section. The beam has a bearing surface at one vertical end, with which it is positioned against the support surface formed by the underside of the floor element in the operating state. The beam also has a base at its opposite vertical end for supporting itself on the subfloor.The support comprises a load-bearing element and at least one support element, in particular a base, wherein the load-bearing element forms the load-bearing surface of the support and wherein the at least one support element is designed to be spaced apart from the floor for support on the subfloor and for holding the load-bearing element. Preferably, the support is suitable for the installation of a floor element that has properties as described for the floor element of embodiments of the shower tray device according to the invention.Preferably, the support is suitable for installing a floor element on a subfloor, having a vertical thickness of at least 20 mm, and in particular at least 15 mm, across its entire transverse extent at least at a first longitudinal end and across its entire longitudinal extent at a first transverse end, and having a slope of at least 0.7%, and in particular at least 1%, towards its drain opening on its upper surface over an area of ​​at least 0.3 m² and in particular at least 70% of its horizontal extent. Preferably, the support is designed as a support for a shower tray assembly according to the invention or is suitable for use as a support for a shower tray assembly according to the invention. Generally preferably, the support has a transverse extent and thus a width between 20 cm and 40 cm.The support preferably has a longitudinal extension and thus a length between 20 cm and 40 cm, particularly between 20 cm and 50 cm. The support preferably includes a drain pot as described above. The support preferably has a bearing surface that extends over at least 20 cm, particularly at least 30 cm, and particularly at least 40 cm, both transversely and longitudinally. The bearing surface preferably includes a horizontally arranged closed ring. In advantageous embodiments, the support may have properties that are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of advantageous embodiments of the shower tray device, the room floor according to the invention, the set according to the invention, and the method according to the invention.

[0037] The invention further relates to a set comprising a shower tray assembly according to the invention, wherein the set includes, in addition to the base element encompassed by the shower tray assembly, further base elements, the various base elements of the set differing in their lengths and / or widths. Depending on the embodiment of the shower tray assembly, each of the base elements has features of the base element of the shower tray assembly described above, as explained above for that corresponding embodiment, such that each of the base elements accordingly has a drain section and a support section. In preferred embodiments in which the shower tray assembly has a support, all the base elements of the set are compatible with the support of the shower tray assembly. Preferably, the drain sections of all base elements have the same horizontal extensions, i.e., in all horizontal directions.Thus, each floor element has a corresponding horizontal section adjacent to its respective support section. Preferably, each floor element is designed to achieve the operating state of the shower tray assembly by aligning the load-bearing surface of the support (preferably encompassed by the shower tray assembly) against the support surface of the respective floor element. Preferably, the support surfaces of all floor elements in the set are identical. For example, one of the floor elements may have a width and length between 80 cm and 100 cm, while a second floor element may have a width and length between 100 cm and 140 cm.For example, a first floor element can have a width and length between 80 cm and 100 cm, a second floor element between 80 cm and 100 cm and a length between 100 cm and 140 cm, and a third floor element between 100 cm and 120 cm and a length between 100 cm and 160 cm. Depending on the choice of floor element, it will thus project horizontally over a varying horizontal extent over the drain section, particularly over the support preferably enclosed by the shower tray assembly. Preferably, the horizontal extent of the bearing area of ​​the various floor elements changes by the same amount as their overall horizontal extent.Particularly preferably, the vertical thicknesses of the floor elements at their respective first longitudinal end and, in particular, their first transverse end differ from one another by less than 3 mm, and especially by less than 2 mm, so that the aforementioned vertical thicknesses of all floor elements vary from one another by less than 3 mm, and in particular by less than 2 mm. Particularly preferably, depending on the floor element selected for the shower tray installation, the floor element extends to varying distances in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction beyond the drain section, and in particular beyond the support.

[0038] The invention further relates to a room floor comprising a subfloor, a supporting covering applied to the subfloor, in particular screed, a floor covering and a shower tray device according to the invention.

[0039] The shower tray assembly according to the invention, encompassed by the floor, comprises, as already explained above regarding the shower tray assembly according to the invention, a floor element which extends horizontally along a horizontal plane with a length of at least 60 cm, in particular at least 80 cm, and with a width of at least 60 cm, in particular at least 80 cm, in a horizontal transverse direction. The floor element has a horizontal drain section which forms a portion, in particular at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, and / or at least 400 cm², of the horizontal extent of the floor element. Within the drain section, a drain opening of the floor element is formed, which extends vertically from an upper surface of the floor element through the floor element to its underside.According to one solution according to the invention, the supporting surface has a top surface parallel to the horizontal plane next to the drain section, on which the floor element rests with its bearing area. Preferably, the floor covering and the floor element are attached to the supporting surface over its bearing area by means of a bonding layer, in particular by means of tile adhesive. According to another solution according to the invention, which can be combined particularly advantageously with the aforementioned one, the shower tray assembly has a support that has a load-bearing surface at one vertical end and a standing surface at its opposite vertical end. The support of the shower tray assembly is supported on the subfloor with its standing surface, and the floor element of the shower tray assembly rests on the load-bearing surface of the support and is supported on the subfloor via the support.Particularly preferably, the load-bearing surface abuts the supporting surface and is vertically flush with the top surface of the adjacent supporting surface. Thus, the load-bearing surface, at least on its side facing the supporting surface, lies at the same vertical height as the supporting surface on its side facing the load-bearing surface. More generally, and particularly preferably, the load-bearing surface lies at the same vertical height over its entire horizontal extent as the adjacent supporting surface over its entire extent where it abuts the load-bearing surface. The floor covering can be designed as described above for conventional floor coverings; in particular, the floor covering comprises at least one tile.Preferably, the floor element is supported on the supporting surface over at least 90% of the entire horizontal extent of its bearing area and thus rests on it, in particular indirectly via a tile adhesive or other bonding compound provided between the bearing area and the supporting surface.

[0040] Next to the first longitudinal end of the floor element, at least one section of the floor covering, in particular at least one tile, is arranged, wherein the top surface of the floor covering section, in particular the top surface of the tile, lies at the same vertical height as the top surface of the floor element at the first longitudinal end. Particularly preferably, next to the first transverse end of the floor element, at least one further section of the floor covering, in particular at least one further tile, is arranged, the top surface of which lies at the same vertical height as the top surface of the floor element at the first transverse end.

[0041] The floor covering, in particular the at least one tile, and the floor element are preferably attached to the supporting surface over its bearing area by means of a bonding layer, in particular by means of tile adhesive as a bonding agent. Particularly preferably, the floor element, with its bearing area between the drainage opening and the first longitudinal end, extends longitudinally over at least 30% of the length of the floor element above the supporting surface and rests on the supporting surface over this length, in particular indirectly via tile adhesive. Particularly preferably, the floor element, with its bearing area between the drainage opening and the first transverse end and in particular the second transverse end, extends transversely over at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, of the length of the floor element above the supporting surface and rests on the supporting surface over this length.

[0042] Preferably, the floor of the shower tray includes a sealing collar that ensures a watertight connection between the support or drain body and the adjacent floor covering. In one embodiment, the sealing collar, as explained above, is horizontally sealed to the edge of the support element around the drain opening, preferably horizontally around the drain opening via a connection area with a width of at least 20 mm, particularly 30 mm. More preferably, the sealing collar is horizontally sealed to the top of the floor covering outside the support and, in particular, sealed to the drain body of the shower tray, thus providing a water drainage system from the top of the floor covering horizontally outside the support to the drain of the drain body.Particularly preferred is a sealing sleeve horizontally outside the first longitudinal end, sealingly connected to the top of the supporting surface and connected to the drain pot of the shower tray device, providing a water flow from the top of the screed horizontally outside the floor element to the drain of the drain pot.

[0043] A floor heating system is particularly preferred within the vertical extent of the load-bearing layer between the subfloor and the floor covering. The floor heating system is particularly preferred within the horizontal extent of the support area of ​​the floor element, especially over at least 10% of the horizontal extent of the floor element. The arrangement of a floor heating system, in particular the pipes of the floor heating system, within the horizontal extent of the support area of ​​the floor element is made possible by the inventive design of the shower tray assembly and offers the particular advantage that the floor element, and thus the shower floor used by one person, can be pleasantly warm.

[0044] The invention further relates to a method for installing a shower tray installation according to the invention in a floor. In a first method step, a load-bearing layer, in particular screed, is installed on a subfloor with a top surface running parallel to a horizontal plane. In a second method step, a floor element is arranged on the subfloor. In one embodiment, this is done by fixing the floor element to the top surface of the load-bearing layer over a bearing area of ​​the floor element, which comprises at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, in particular at least 50% of the horizontal extent of the floor element running along the horizontal plane, in particular by means of a bonding compound, in particular by means of tile adhesive.In the second process step, sections of a floor covering, in particular tiles, are attached to the top of the supporting surface next to the floor element at one horizontal longitudinal end and at least one horizontal transverse end, in particular at both opposite horizontal transverse ends, especially by means of tile adhesive, so that the sections of the floor covering, in particular the tiles, are at the same vertical height as the horizontal ends of the floor element arranged next to them. During the second process step, the floor element is further arranged next to the supporting surface with a drainage section located outside the bearing area, within which the floor element has a drainage opening and which forms at least 10% of the horizontal extent of the floor element.In one embodiment, during the first process step, a support for the shower tray assembly is placed on the subfloor, with the supporting surface being installed horizontally next to the support on the subfloor. During the second process step, the floor element, with a support surface located within the drainage section or outside the preferably provided bearing area, is placed on the support and braced against the subfloor via the support. More preferably, during the second process step, a drain pot, whose access point is sealed watertight around the drain opening on the underside of the floor element, is arranged outside the bearing area and horizontally next to the supporting surface.Particularly preferably, during the second process step, as the support surface of the floor element is placed on the beam, a drainage opening provided in the floor element is aligned with the inlet of a drainage pot, which was fixed to the subfloor within the vertical extent of the supporting surface in the first process step. Particularly preferably, the drainage pot is fixed in position relative to the supporting surface of the beam in the first process step. Particularly preferably, during the first process step, a sealing sleeve, which is already horizontally and circumferentially connected to the beam around the inlet of the drainage pot in a sealing manner, or is similarly connected to the beam during the first process step, is horizontally and sealingly connected to a top surface of the supporting surface outside the beam.In one embodiment, the sealing collar is permanently connected to the support and projects horizontally beyond the support, its horizontally projecting portion sealingly connecting to the top surface of the supporting surface. In another embodiment, a sealing tape is provided as the sealing collar, which is adhered to the support with a first horizontal section and to the top surface of the supporting surface with a second horizontal section. Thus, in one embodiment, the sealing collar is formed by a sealing tape, for example, by several individually adhered sections of a sealing tape. The first horizontal section extends completely around the inlet of the drain pot, and the second horizontal section extends completely around the support.The sealing tape is preferably applied with its first horizontal section to a nonwoven layer provided on the top surface of the support. The nonwoven layer preferably extends over a horizontal section of the support surface of the support or forms a section of the support surface of the support. Preferably, before carrying out the second process step, a starting base element, by means of which the second process step can be carried out, is cut to size. The starting base element can, for example, be the base element of a shower tray assembly according to the invention, which can have the described properties of the base element of various embodiments of the shower tray assembly according to the invention.By cutting a starting floor element to size before carrying out the second process step, the floor element used in the second process step can be particularly well adapted to the spatial conditions. Cutting can be done, for example, using a tile cutter, a saw, or an angle grinder. Preferably, a floor element of an embodiment of a shower tray device according to the invention, as described above, is used as the starting floor element, wherein the floor element used for the second process step is cut to size such that the cutting line lies within the bearing area of ​​the starting floor element, and the floor element used for the second process step has as its bearing area a section of the bearing area of ​​the starting floor element.In one embodiment, during the second process step for realizing the bottom element, a casting compound is poured, which hardens during the second process step and forms the top of the bottom element.

[0045] The method according to the invention may have further features that are apparent to those skilled in the art from the above explanations of various embodiments of a shower tray assembly and a room floor according to the invention, as well as from the above explanations of the generic realization of shower floors. Furthermore, the shower tray assembly according to the invention may, in one embodiment, have features that are apparent to those skilled in the art in connection with a generic realization of shower floors, the description of embodiments of a room floor according to the invention, and the description of embodiments of a method according to the invention. In general, in particularly advantageous embodiments, features that are described here in relation to different embodiments or solutions according to the invention may be combined with one another as desired.

[0046] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to three figures and exemplary embodiments.

[0047] They show: Figure 1: a schematic diagram showing an oblique view from above of the base element of an embodiment of a shower tray device according to the invention; Figure 2: a schematic diagram showing an exemplary section through the embodiment of a shower tray device according to the invention. Figure 1perpendicular to the transverse direction; Figure 3: in a schematic principle representation, a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction through an embodiment of a subfloor according to the invention; Figure 4: in various schematic principle representations, components of a further embodiment of a shower tray device and a room floor according to the invention; Figure 5: in various schematic principle representations, components of a further embodiment of a shower tray device and a room floor according to the invention; Figure 6: in various schematic principle representations, components of a further embodiment of a shower tray device and a room floor according to the invention.

[0048] In Figure 1 The base element 2 of an embodiment of a shower tray device 1 according to the invention is shown schematically in a simplified, oblique view from above. Figure 2The cross-section is simplified as a cross-section perpendicular to the transverse direction Y along the transverse center of the floor element 2. The floor element 2 extends horizontally along a horizontal plane spanned by a longitudinal direction X and a transverse direction Y, which are perpendicular to each other. In this case, the floor element 2 is square and has a length and width of approximately 90 cm each. Within its horizontal extent, the floor element 2 has a drain opening 20, which is partially concealed by a cover 27 encompassed by the shower tray assembly 1. The drain opening 20 is designed as a channel, and the cover 27 is designed as a metal plate with holes. The floor element 2 has a Figure 1The upper surface 21 shown in the figure defines the vertical upper end of the base element 2. The base element 2 forms a horizontally circumferential rim 24 on the upper surface 21, which forms all horizontal ends of the upper surface 21. The horizontal rim 24 extends approximately 3 cm in the longitudinal direction X from the longitudinal ends of the base element 2 towards the longitudinal center of the base element 2, and approximately 3 cm in the transverse direction Y from the transverse ends of the base element 2 towards the transverse center of the base element 2. Within the horizontal extent of the rim 24, the upper surface 21 runs substantially parallel to the aforementioned horizontal plane. Providing such a rim 24, which extends from the longitudinal ends towards the longitudinal center by 1 cm to 10 cm in the longitudinal direction X and from the transverse ends towards the transverse center by 1 cm to 10 cm, is generally advantageous according to the invention.Starting from the edge 24 towards the horizontal center of the base element 2, a slope towards the drainage opening 20 is formed on the upper surface 21 of the base element 2. In this case, the slope extends over approximately 85% of the total horizontal extent of the base element 2, specifically over approximately 0.7 m. Providing a slope over at least 70%, and in particular at least 80%, of the upper surface 21 of the base element 2 is generally advantageous according to the invention. Figure 1 Furthermore, the first longitudinal end 22 and the first transverse end 23 of the floor element 2 are shown. The first longitudinal end 22 extends in a straight line in the transverse direction Y, and the first transverse end 23 extends in a straight line in the longitudinal direction X.

[0049] In Figure 2The relative position of the base element 2 and the support 3 in the operating state of the shower tray assembly 1 is shown. In this operating state, the base element 2 rests on a support surface 33 of the support 3, which forms a section of the upper surface of the support 3 and, according to the invention, advantageously constitutes the absolute vertical upper end of the support 3. The support 3 has a base 34 on its underside, which allows it to be placed on a subfloor. Advantageously, according to the invention, the base 34 forms the absolute vertical lower end of the support 3. The support 3 is designed as a drain box with a housing 31. The housing wall of the housing 31 forms the support surface 33.The support 3 has an inlet which, in the operating state of the shower tray unit 1, is aligned with the drain opening 20 of the base element 2 beneath the base element, so that water striking the top 21 of the base element 2 is directed by the slope provided on the top 21 to the drain opening 20 and can flow from there into the support 3. The housing 31 of the support 3 is designed to carry water, i.e., the housing 31 provides a closed water passage from the inlet to the drain opening 20. Figure 2 The schematically depicted outlet 30 is formed such that water entering the housing 31 via the inlet can only flow out of the housing 31 via the outlet 30 as long as the water level in the housing 31 does not reach the inlet. Figure 2It is evident that the floor element 2 has, firstly, a support surface which, in the operating state of the shower tray unit 1, rests on the load-bearing surface 33 of the support 3, and secondly, a bearing area which is suitable for being arranged over its entire horizontal extent on a load-bearing surface provided horizontally next to the support 3, such as screed, the upper surface of which runs parallel to the aforementioned horizontal plane and terminates at the vertical height of the load-bearing surface 33 of the support 3, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. Starting from the first longitudinal end 22, the bearing area extends over the entire transverse extent of the floor element 2 along the longitudinal direction X, in this case over approximately 60% of the length of the floor element 2. Within the bearing area, the slope formed on the upper surface 21 is created by a change in the vertical thickness of the floor element 2.Accordingly, the absolute vertical lower end formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extent of the base element 2, starting from the first longitudinal end 22, is not vertically offset from the absolute vertical lower end formed by the base element 2 in the third, fourth, and fifth tenths of its longitudinal extent. In contrast, the absolute vertical upper end of the transverse center of the base element 2, formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extent of the base element 2, starting from the first longitudinal end 22, and in this case formed by the vertical height of the edge 24, is clearly offset from the absolute vertical upper end formed in the third tenth of the longitudinal extent of the base element, and even more so from the absolute vertical upper end formed in the fourth tenth, and even more so from the one formed in the fifth tenth of the longitudinal extent. Figure 2It is evident that this design of the bearing area of ​​floor element 2 allows floor element 2 to be placed like a tile on a screed running horizontally with its top surface facing down, and to be attached to it using tile adhesive. Figure 2It is further evident that with increasing distance in longitudinal direction X from the first longitudinal end 22, the vertical thickness of the base element 2 at its transverse center decreases continuously due to the slope on the upper surface 21. Accordingly, with a large longitudinal extent of the base element 2 X, a critical thickness of the base element 2 is reached beyond a certain distance, at which point sufficient stability of the base element 2 is no longer guaranteed. In the described embodiment, this thickness is not reached; rather, before the thickness of the base element 2 is reduced too much, the support surface of the base element 2 is formed, with which it rests on the bearing surface 33 of the support 3 in the operating state.By increasing its vertical thickness, the bottom element 2 has a step on its underside, so that a vertical offset is formed between the absolute vertical lower end of the bottom element 2 formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extent of the bottom element 2, with reference to the first longitudinal end 22, and the absolute vertical lower end of the bottom element 2 formed in the seventh tenth of the longitudinal extent of the bottom element 2.Accordingly, the base element 2 forms a first section 201 on its underside, which is defined by the support area, and a second section 202, which is arranged in the longitudinal direction X between the drain opening 20 and the support area, wherein the second section 202 is vertically offset downwards relative to the first section 201 and the underside outside the support area has a vertical offset downwards by which it transitions from the first section 201 to the second section 202. Figure 2It is evident that the offset extends from the support surface in the longitudinal direction X towards the interior of the housing 31 of the support 3. This ensures particularly good guidance of the base element 2 relative to the support 3, and in particular, facilitates the easy implementation of the operating state of the shower tray assembly 1, in which the base element 2 occupies a fixed position relative to the support 3. Thanks to the offset, an installer or tiler can place the base element 2 onto the support 3, which is designed as a drain box, in such a way that the offset essentially snaps into place within the housing 31. Similarly, a corresponding offset is also formed on the underside of the base element 2, extending from the second longitudinal end 22 opposite the first, towards the drain opening 20.A corresponding offset is also formed from the two transverse ends of the base element 2 towards the drain opening 20, so that the base element 2 is locked into the housing interior of the support 3 in both spatial directions thanks to the offset.

[0050] Out of Figure 2 It can also be seen that the floor element 2 has a greater vertical thickness at its second longitudinal end, opposite the first longitudinal end 22, than at its first longitudinal end 22, and accordingly runs with a greater slope towards the drainage opening 20. It is also evident in Figure 2It can be seen that the drain opening 20 is arranged in a longitudinal end region of the base element 2, which forms the second longitudinal end and extends over less than 30% of the length of the base element 2 in the longitudinal direction X, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. It is also apparent that the support surface of the base element 2 is formed exclusively in a longitudinal end region of the base element 2, which forms the second longitudinal end and extends over less than 50%, in this case less than 40%, of the length of the base element 2 from the second longitudinal end in the longitudinal direction X, which is also advantageous according to the invention. Due to the particular design of the described embodiment, it is possible to arrange the base element 2 with its second longitudinal end against a wall, on which the support 3 is then also arranged.The thicker second longitudinal end effectively prevents water ingress between the wall and the floor element 2. Furthermore, by positioning the support 3 in this longitudinal end area, it can be placed very close to the wall and thus supported very close to the wall of the floor element 2 against the subfloor on which its base 34 rests. Consequently, a screed strip between the wall and the support 3, which is typically difficult to implement and poses a risk of damage, can be omitted.In the described embodiment, and generally advantageously, a section of the load-bearing surface 33 of the support 3 and a section of the support surface of the base element 2 are arranged in a longitudinal end region of the base element 2, which extends from the second longitudinal end over less than 10%, in particular over less than 5% of the length of the base element 2 to the first longitudinal end 22; more preferably, this section of the load-bearing surface 33 or support surface forms at least 10%, in particular at least 20% of the load-bearing surface 33 or support surface.

[0051] In Figure 3Figure 1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of an embodiment of a floor 100 according to the invention in a section perpendicular to the transverse direction Y, which includes an embodiment of a shower tray device 1 according to the invention in its operating state. The floor 100 comprises a subfloor 5 and a screed 6 as a supporting layer, which has a top surface extending horizontally next to the support 3 and parallel to the aforementioned horizontal plane. Tiles 4 are laid on this top surface as a floor covering, and the floor element 2 is attached to the tiles 4 by means of tile adhesive 7, with an insulating layer 9 being provided between the subfloor 5 and the screed 6. In other embodiments not shown, the insulating layer 9 can be encompassed by the subfloor 5, so that the support 3 can be placed on an insulating layer 9 of the subfloor 5 that also extends beneath it. Figure 3It is evident that the floor element 2 rests with its bearing area on the screed 6 and is further supported via its bearing surface on a load-bearing surface 33 of the support 3, which in turn is placed with its base 34 on the subfloor 5, so that the support 3 carries the floor element 2 at the level of its bearing surface relative to the subfloor 5. The support 3 has height-adjustable feet 32 ​​as well as a drain 35, which forms a drain 30 and an inlet, which is aligned with the drain opening 20 of the floor element 2, as shown in the illustration. Figure 3is concealed by the cover 27. The underside of the floor element 2 has a first section 201, which is formed by the bearing area, and a second section 202, which is arranged longitudinally X between the drain opening 20 and the bearing area, the second section 202 being vertically offset downwards relative to the first section 201. For this purpose, the underside forms a vertical offset outside the bearing area with which the floor element 2 rests on the screed 6. Figure 3 It is evident that this allows for an increase in thickness in the second section 202, which benefits the stability of the base element 2. Furthermore, it is evident that, thanks to the increased thickness in the second section 202, a steeper gradient can be provided than in the first section 201, which results in water that reaches the base element 2 being directed more effectively towards the drain opening 20.

[0052] In Figure 4 comprehensive the Figure 4A , 4B , 4C and 4D Various schematic diagrams show simplified views of components of a further embodiment of a shower tray device 1 according to the invention. Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment of the shower tray device 1, which results from the combination of the Figure 4A , 4B , 4C and 4D The shower tray assembly 1 comprises a support 3 with a support element 301 and five feet 32 ​​as support elements. The shower tray assembly 1 further comprises a floor element 2 with a drain opening 20. As can be seen from the overall view of the Figure 4A and 4BThe supporting element 301 has a side region 311 that horizontally surrounds a central region 312 of the supporting element 301. The upper surface of the side region 311 projects vertically beyond the central region 312. The side region 311 forms the load-bearing surface of the beam 3. The central region 312 is thus designed in the supporting element 301 in the manner of a trough. Figure 4CThe underside of the base element 2 is shown. The underside of the base element 2 comprises a first section, which forms the bearing area of ​​the base element, and a second section 202, which is arranged longitudinally and transversely between the drain opening 20 and the bearing area or the first section 201, as well as a third section 203, which is arranged at least on two transverse sides and one longitudinal side of the drain opening 20 between the first and the second sections 201, 202. Due to a greater vertical thickness of the base element within this second section 202, the second section 202 of the underside is offset vertically downwards relative to the first section 201. As shown in the figure. Figure 4DAs can be seen in the illustration indicating the operating state of the shower tray assembly 1, the base element 2 projects with the second section 202 of its underside into the recess formed by the central region 312 of the support element 301, while the base element 2, with a third section 203 of its underside adjacent to the first section 201 and transitioning directly into it at the same vertical height, rests on the support surface of the support 3 formed by the edge region 311 and is thus supported on the support 3. As can be seen from Figure 4DAs can be seen, the second section 202 of the underside of the floor element 2 has a smaller horizontal extent than the central area 312 of the support element 301. This allows for a displacement range within which the floor element 2 can be moved horizontally relative to the support element 301, while the support element 301 is already fixed in position on the subfloor 5 by means of the feet 32. The fixation of the support element 301 on the subfloor 5 is evident from the overall view of the Figure 4A and 4BThe shower tray assembly 1 has several feet 32 ​​as support elements. Each foot comprises several parts, in this case a foot element 321, a connecting element 323, and a retaining element 322. The retaining element 322 is designed as a sleeve with an internal thread. In the described embodiment, the retaining element 322 is pressed into the support element 301. In another embodiment, not shown, the retaining element 322 can be integrated into the support element 301. The connecting element 323 is designed as a threaded rod with an external thread, which is rotatably mounted in the foot element 321 in a constant vertical position. The interaction of the foot element 321, connecting element 323, and retaining element 322 is characterized in particular by Figure 4D evident. As can be seen from the overall view of the Figure 4A and 4BAs can be seen, the foot elements 321 each have a through-hole for a screw 324, which, in the installed state, i.e., after the support 3 has been fastened to the subfloor 5, is screwed into a dowel provided in the subfloor 5. On its horizontally circumferential outer side, the support element 301 also has a projection arrangement 313 below its upper surface and thus below the load-bearing surface formed by the edge region 311. This projection arrangement 313 can advantageously engage in a load-bearing layer, in particular screed 6, which, according to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, is applied to the subfloor 5 after the support 3 has been previously fastened to the subfloor 5. Such a screed 6 is in Figure 4D shown.

[0053] The shower tray installation 1 according to Figure 4The assembly further comprises a drain pot 35 and a connecting unit 36, through which the drain opening 20 of the base element 2 is fluid-carryingly connected to the drain pot 35, i.e., the inlet of the drain pot. In the embodiment described here, the connecting unit 36 ​​is manufactured as a separate component from the support element 301. The connecting unit 36 ​​includes a nozzle element 361 with a circumferential flange 362, as can be seen in particular from the overall view of the Figure 4A , 4B and 4D The spigot element 361 projects into the inlet of the floor drain 35 and is sealed against it by a connecting seal 364. On the underside of the floor element 2, a ring seal 363 is fixed in position around the drain opening 20, as shown in Figure 4CThe ring seal 363 provides a sealing connection between the underside of the base element 1 and the flange 362 of the connecting unit 36 ​​across the displacement range of the base element 2 described above. In the embodiment described here, and generally advantageous according to the invention, the sealing connection between the base element 2 and the flange 362 is already provided by the weight of the base element in conjunction with its action on the ring seal 363.

[0054] In Figure 5 comprehensive the Figure 5A and 5B Various schematic diagrams show views of components of a further embodiment of a shower tray device 1 according to the invention. The embodiment according to Figure 5 differs from the embodiment according to Figure 4 essentially by the fact that in the embodiment according to Figure 5as support elements of the carrier 3 retaining brackets 37 are provided and that the frame of the shower tray device 1 is not, as in the embodiment according to Figure 4 , provided not by the support element 301 of the support 3, but by a separate frame element 8. The following only refers to the differences of the embodiment according to Figure 5 with regard to the embodiment according to Figure 4 received. In the embodiment according to Figure 5 A frame element 8 is provided, which is cuboid in shape, in this case designed like an open box, and is made of a soft plastic, in this case TPE. To achieve the operational state or to install the shower tray unit 1 in a room floor, the frame element 8 is first placed on the subfloor 5, as shown in Figure 5AThe frame element 8 has such a geometric extent that, in principle, the load-bearing element 301 can be horizontally accommodated by the frame element 8, as shown in Figure 5A shown for illustrative purposes. It should be noted here that this is for illustrative purposes only. Figure 5A and 5B a section through the components shown in the respective figures, the section passing through a plane spanned by the longitudinal and vertical directions. In the embodiment according to Figure 5 In the operating state, the support element 301 is held vertically spaced from the subfloor 5 by means of retaining brackets 37, which are placed on the supporting surface or screed 6 with a support section and which have a retaining section onto which the support element 301 is placed. The installation is carried out as follows: first, as in Figure 5AAs shown, the frame element 8 is placed on the subfloor 5, after which the load-bearing flooring or screed 6 is applied to the subfloor 5 so that it directly abuts the frame element 8. After the load-bearing flooring or screed 6 has been applied, the frame element 8 is shortened so that its top surface ends at or below the top surface of the adjacent load-bearing flooring. This shortening can be done, for example, with a knife. Subsequently, a retaining bracket 37 is placed at each corner of the frame element 8 with its support section on the adjacent load-bearing flooring. The support section extends vertically downwards and horizontally towards the interior of the frame element 8. The load-bearing element 301 is placed on this support section. Since the support section of the retaining brackets 37 has a vertical thickness of only 1 mm, a floor covering, for example, tile covering, can be bonded with a layer of tile adhesive of typical thickness, e.g., approximately 1 mm.1.5 mm, can be applied to the substrate without problems over the contact section of the retaining bracket 37.

[0055] In Figure 6 comprehensive the Figures 6A, 6B and 6C The components of a further embodiment of a shower tray device 1 according to the invention are shown in various schematic principle diagrams in a highly simplified manner in different views. The in Figure 6 The described embodiment has a support element 301, as is the case with the embodiments according to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The supporting element 301 has an edge region 311 and a central region 312. Figure 6A The top side of the support element 301 is shown schematically, in Figure 6BThe underside of the support element 301 is shown schematically. A nonwoven layer 39 is arranged on the upper side of the support element 301 within the edge region 311, with the nonwoven layer extending in a ring-like fashion over a portion of the edge region 311. Naturally, in advantageous embodiments, the nonwoven layer 39 can extend over the entire edge region 311. This nonwoven layer 39 serves to create a particularly effective sealing bond using a sealing tape 10, as described in Figure 6CThe illustration shows a room floor realized with the described embodiment. The sealing tape 10 is applied to the fleece layer 39, which is provided on the upper surface of the edge region 311, and is adhered to both this fleece layer 39 and to the upper surface of the adjacent screed 6, which serves as the intended load-bearing layer. This ensures a sealing connection between the screed 6 and the load-bearing element 301. The sealing tape 10 is applied horizontally and circumferentially, forming a sealing collar, in this case a sealing ring, at the transition between the screed 6 and the load-bearing element 301. Naturally, in embodiments, the load-bearing element 301 can be arranged adjacent to a wall at a transverse end and / or a longitudinal end, in which case the sealing tape 10, with its section projecting beyond the edge region 311, is adhered to the wall to ensure a sealing connection between the wall and the load-bearing element 301.Due to its sealing function, the implemented sealing tape 10 can be referred to as a sealing collar in its operational state, i.e., after the shower tray assembly 1 has been installed in a room floor. As shown in . Figure 6BAs can be seen, on the underside of the support element 301, within the horizontal extent of its edge region 311, specifically within the same horizontal region where the nonwoven layer 39 is provided on the upper side, a further nonwoven layer 38 is provided. While this further nonwoven layer 38 is not required to create a sealing connection, it is advantageous for the manufacture of the support element 301 in that the support element 301 has a precisely definable shape. This is because the further nonwoven layer 38 functions as a counter-tension layer, ensuring a counter-tension relative to the tension generated by the nonwoven layer 39, which is provided on the upper side of the support element 301. This effectively counteracts any unwanted deformation of the support element 301 during the manufacturing process. Reporter: TECE GmbH 48282 Emsdetten Floor-level shower tray Reference symbol list

[0056] 1 Shower tray assembly 2 Floor element 3 Support 4 Tile 5 Subfloor 6 Screed 7 Tile adhesive 8 Frame element 9 Insulation layer 10 Sealing tape 20 Drain opening 21 Top 22 First longitudinal end 23 First transverse end 24 Circumferential edge 27 Cover 30 Drain 31 Housing 32 Foot 33 Support surface 34 Base surface 35 Drain pot 36 Connection unit 100 Room floor 201 First section 202 Second section 203 Third section 301 Support element 311 Edge area 312 Middle area 321 Foot element 322 Retaining element 323 Connection element 361 Spigot element 362 Flange 363 Ring seal 364 Connection seal XL Longitudinal direction Y Transverse direction

Claims

1. Shower tray device (1), comprising a base element (2) which extends with its horizontal extension along a horizontal plane in a horizontal direction (X) with a length of at least 60 cm, in particular at least 80 cm, and in a horizontal transverse direction (Y) with a width of at least 60 cm, in particular at least 80 cm, wherein the base element (2) comprises a horizontal drain section that forms a part, in particular at least 10%, in particular at least 20% and / or at least 400 cm2 of the horizontal extension of the base element (2) and within which a drain opening (20) of the base element (2) is formed and extends from an upper side of the base element (2) vertically through the base element (2) to the underside thereof, wherein in particular the drain opening (20) is spaced at least from a transverse end of the base element (2) by at least 15% of its entire transverse extension, wherein the base element (2) has a vertical thickness of at most 20 mm, in particular at most 15 mm, at least at a first longitudinal end over its entire transverse extension and at a first transverse end over its entire longitudinal extension, and has a slope towards the drain opening of at least 0.7%, in particular at least 1%, on its upper side over an area of at least 0.3 m2 and in particular at least 70% of its horizontal extension, wherein the base element (2) has a support area which is arranged horizontally exclusively outside the drain section and which extends from the first longitudinal end (22) of the base element (2) to the drain opening (20) over at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, in particular at least 50% of its length in the longitudinal direction (X) and over its entire width and which is designed to be supported on an upper side of a bearing layer, in particular screed (6), arranged horizontally next to the drain section and running parallel to the horizontal plane, in an operating state of the shower tray device (1), characterized in that the underside of the base element (2) has a first section (201) that is formed by the support area, and a second section (202) that is arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) between the drain opening (20) and the support area, wherein the second section (202) is vertically offset downwards relative to the first section (201), in particular vertically offset downwards by at least 5 mm.

2. Shower tray device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support area extends horizontally outside the drain section from the first transverse end of the base element (2) towards the drain opening (20) over at least 10% of its width and over its entire length in the transverse direction (Y), wherein in particular the shower tray device (1) is designed for integration into a tile flooring that is applied to the upper side of the bearing layer provided next to the drain section and is adjacent to both the first longitudinal end (22) and the first transverse end (23).

3. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain section is arranged exclusively in a longitudinal end region of the base element (2) outside its support area that extends over less than 50%, in particular less than 40% of the length of the base element (2) and terminates at a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end in the longitudinal direction (X), wherein in particular the drain opening (20) is arranged exclusively within a longitudinal extension region of the base element (2) which extends over less than 30%, in particular less than 20% of the length of the base element (2), starting from the second longitudinal end.

4. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside has a vertical protrusion outside the support area with which it transitions from the first section (201) into the second section (202) and / or that the base element (2) has a stiffening structure, for example a reinforcement and / or a fiber insert, at the transition between the first and the second section (201, 202), wherein in particular the upper side (21) has a smaller slope along the longitudinal direction (X) within the first section (201) than within the second section (202), wherein in particular the base element (2) has a greater vertical thickness in the second section (202) than in the first section (201).

5. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slope formed on the upper side (21) along the longitudinal direction (X) from the first longitudinal end (22) towards the drain opening (20) is formed within the support area at least predominantly by a reduction of the vertical thickness of the base element (2) within the area across which the slope is created, starting from the vertical thickness provided at the first longitudinal end.

6. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside of the base element (2) forms a support surface within the drain section and the shower tray device (1) comprises a support (3) that has a bearing surface (33) at a vertical end with which it is arranged in the operating state of the shower tray device (1) in such a way as to rest against the support surface formed by the underside of the base element (2) and which has a standing surface (34) at its opposite vertical end for support on the unfinished floor (5), wherein in particular the support (3) comprises a bearing element (301) and at least a base element, in particular a foot (32), wherein the bearing element (301) forms the bearing surface of the support and the at least one standing element is designed for being support on the unfinished floor and for keeping the bearing element (301) spaced from the unfinished floor (5).

7. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shower tray device (1) has a surrounding frame with a horizontal extension, wherein the drain section is arranged completely within the horizontal extension of the frame in the operating state and the frame is arranged completely under the base element (2) in the operating state, wherein in particular the frame is formed by the bearing element (301) or by a frame element (8) adjustable in its vertical height, wherein in particular the frame has a protrusion arrangement on at least one of its outer sides below the upper side of the support (3) for hooking into the bearing layer.

8. Shower tray device (1) according to any of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the bearing element (301) has an edge region (311) and a central region (312) lying horizontally within the edge region (311) and enclosed by the edge region, wherein the edge region (311) forms with its upper side at least a section of the bearing surface (33) and protrudes vertically beyond the central region (312), wherein in particular the edge region (311) and the central region (312) are integrally connected to each other and the edge region (311) transitions into the central region (312) via a step, wherein in particular the edge region (311) has a width of at least 20 mm, in particular at least 30 mm, with which it runs around the central region (312).

9. Shower tray device according to any of claims 4 and 8, characterized in that the underside of the base element (2) includes a third section (203) between the first section (201) and the second section (202), which third section is on a same vertical height as the first section (201) and forms at least one section of the support surface and rests on the edge region (311) in the operating state, wherein the second section (202) has a smaller horizontal extension than the central region (312), so that the base element (2) can be displaced horizontally relative to the support (3) while it rests with its third section (203) on the edge region (311).

10. Shower tray device (1) according to any of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the shower tray device (1) comprises a sealing sleeve (4) which is connected to the edge region (311) in a sealing manner while surrounding the central region (312) and which protrudes over the edge region (311) by at least 20 mm, in particular 30 mm, while horizontally running all around, wherein in particular the edge region (311) is spaced by at least 50 mm from at least one horizontal end of the base element (2), in particular at least from the first longitudinal end and in particular the first transverse end of the base element in the operating state, and / or that a fleece layer for attaching a sealing tape is provided horizontally all around the upper side of the edge region (311), wherein another fleece layer or other reinforcing layer is provided in particular on the underside of the edge region within a same horizontal region over which the fleece layer extends on the upper side.

11. Shower tray device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the support (3) has several pedestal elements designed as feet (32) which are each arranged in a manner horizontally spaced from each other at a respective position of the bearing element (301) assigned to them, in particular in a respective horizontal end section of the bearing element (301), wherein each of the feet (32) is vertically adjustable in particular from the upper side of the support (3) for adjusting a distance of the bearing element (301) from the unfinished floor (5) precisely at the position of the bearing element (301) assigned to it in order to enable vertical alignment of the bearing element (301) relative to the unfinished floor (5), while the bearing element (301) is positioned in a horizontally fixed manner with respect to the unfinished floor (5) by each of the feet (32) at the position assigned to the respective foot (32), wherein in particular the feet can be adjusted to different states of length in which they each have a different vertical length, wherein in particular they maintain their vertical length in each state of length at a vertical pressure load force of 100 N, in particular 200 N, and especially maintain their vertical length at a vertical tensile load of 50 N.

12. Shower tray device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the feet each comprise several parts, in particular a foot element (321) for placement on the unfinished floor (5), a retaining element (322) for retaining on the bearing element (301), and a connecting element (323) for connecting the foot element (321) to the retaining element (322), wherein the various states of length can be adjusted by moving at least some of the parts relative to each other, wherein in particular the connecting element (322) is designed as a threaded rod and the states of length are adjustable by turning the connecting element (323) relative to the foot element (321) and / or the retaining element (322).

13. Shower tray device (1) according to any of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the bearing element (301) is made of plastic, in particular by means of an injection molding process, or of plastic foam.

14. Shower tray device according to any of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that in the operating state of the shower tray device (1), the support area of the base element (2) is arranged horizontally completely outside the support (3) and is designed to be supported on an upper side of a screed (6) which, in the operating state, is arranged horizontally next to the support (3) and is provided on the unfinished floor (5) in a manner extending parallel to the horizontal plane while simultaneously supporting the support (3) on the unfinished floor (5).

15. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shower tray device (1) has a drain pot (35) with an inlet and a drain (30), wherein the inlet is arranged in a water-bearing manner, in particular flush with the drain opening (20) of the base element (2), under the base element (2) to receive water flowing vertically downward through the drain opening (20), and wherein the drain (30) is designed for connection to a building-side drain pipe for discharging the water into the drain pipe, wherein in particular the drain pot (35) has an odor barrier between the inlet and the drain (30).

16. Shower tray device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the shower tray device (1) comprises a connecting unit (36) which is arranged on the underside of the base element (2) and which, in the operating state, is sealed independently of the base element (2) relative to the drain pot (35) and is designed to ensure that water flowing out of the drain opening (20) on the underside of the base element (2) to the inlet of the drain pot (35), wherein in particular the connecting unit (36) and the base element (2) are designed to correspond to each other in such a way that the water flow is ensured over a horizontal displacement range of the base element (2) relative to the connecting unit (36), wherein in particular, starting from the operating state, the base element (2) is movable relative to the connecting unit (36), while the connecting unit (36) remains sealingly connected to the drain pot (35) without change, wherein in particular the connecting unit (36) is formed by the support (3) or its carrying element (301) or is attached to the support (3) or its carrying element (301), wherein in particular the connecting unit (36) has a connecting piece (361) which, in the operating state, is connected in a sealing manner to the inlet of the drain pot (35) by a connecting seal (364).

17. Shower tray device (1) according to claim 16 and at least according to claim 6, characterized in that the shower tray device (1) comprises a ring seal (363) which, in the operating state, is arranged between the underside of the base element (2) and the connecting unit (36) and seals the base element (2) around the drain opening (20) against the connecting unit (36), wherein at least either the underside of the base element (2) or the upper side of the connecting unit (36) has a planar sealing area which, in the operating state, extends horizontally beyond the ring seal, wherein in every possible position of the base element (2) within the displacement range, the ring seal (363) rests sealingly against the planar sealing area and, in particular, in every different position of the base element (2) relative to the connecting unit (36), it has a different position relative to the planar sealing area, wherein in particular the connecting unit has a circumferential flange (362) which forms the planar sealing section and is connected in a sealing manner to the connecting piece (361) or is surrounded by the connector element (361).

18. Shower tray device (1) according to claim 6 and any of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the shower tray assembly (1) comprises a drain box which forms the support (3) and, in the operating state, is arranged horizontally completely outside the support area of the base element (2) with its horizontal extension, wherein the drain box has a housing (31) which, at least in sections, forms the bearing surface (33) and the standing area (34) of the support (3), and wherein the drain box, in particular the housing (31) of the drain box, forms the drain pot (35), wherein in particular the housing (31) has a housing wall that horizontally encloses a housing interior, wherein the base element (2) rests with its support surface on the housing wall when the shower tray device (1) is in its operating state and has a vertical downward offset on its underside, starting from the housing wall towards the interior of the housing, which is in particular at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, and / or wherein in particular the housing of the drain box is designed to carry water and forms the inlet and outlet (30) of the drain pot (35).

19. Shower tray device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in a first tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) forming the first longitudinal end (22) is offset vertically by less than 3 mm from an absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in a third and / or fourth and, in particular, fifth tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) measured from the first longitudinal end, and / or that an absolute vertical upper end of a transverse center of the base element (2) is offset in the first tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) forming the first longitudinal end (22) with a vertical offset to an absolute vertical upper end of the transverse center in the fourth tenth and / or fifth tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2), which offset is at least twice an offset between the absolute vertical lower ends of the base element (2) formed within the first tenth and within the fourth and / or fifth tenth.

20. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) forming the first longitudinal end (22) and the absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in the third tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) is less than a quarter of the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) and the absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in the sixth tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) and / or that the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extension of the floor element (2) and the absolute vertical lower end of the floor element (2) formed in the fourth tenth of the longitudinal extension of the floor element (2) is less than one-fifth of the offset between the absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in the first tenth of the longitudinal extension of the base element (2) and the absolute vertical lower end of the base element (2) formed in the eighth tenth of the longitudinal extension of the floor element (2).

21. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (2) has a greater vertical thickness at its second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end (22) than at its first longitudinal end (22), wherein in particular the upper side (21) has a greater average slope in the longitudinal direction (X) from the second longitudinal end towards the drain opening (20) than from the first longitudinal end (22) towards the drain opening (20).

22. Shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (2) is designed as a mineral cast tile or as a plastic tile, and / or the base element (2) can be cut to a shape whose horizontal boundary lies within the support area and, in the cut shape, is suitable for realizing the operating state of the shower tray device, and / or that the shower tray device (1) comprises a cover (27) which is detachably connected to the base element (2) in the operating state and partially closes the drain opening (20).

23. Set comprising a shower tray device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the set comprises several base elements (2) which differ in their lengths and / or their widths and whose drain sections have the same horizontal extensions, and each of the base elements (2) is suitable for realizing the operating state of the shower tray device (1), wherein in particular the vertical thicknesses formed at the respective first longitudinal end and, in particular, first transverse end (23) of the different base elements (2) differ by less than 3 mm, in particular by less than 2 mm, wherein in particular the shower tray device (1) is designed according to any of claims 6 to 22 and the base element (2) extends to different lengths in the longitudinal direction (X) and / or transverse direction (Y) beyond the support (3), depending on the base element (2) selected to achieve the operating state of the shower tray device (1),24. Room floor (100) comprising a shower tray device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 22 and an unfinished floor (5), a bearing layer, in particular screed (6), and a floor covering comprising in particular at least one tile (4), wherein at least one section of the floor covering is arranged next to the first longitudinal end (22) of the base element (2), the upper side of which is at the same vertical height as the upper side of the base element (2) at the first longitudinal end (22), wherein, in particular, at least one further section of the floor covering is arranged next to the first transverse end (23) of the base element (2), the upper side of which is at the same vertical height as the upper side (21) of the base element (2) at the first transverse end (23), characterized in that the bearing layer has an upper side (21) parallel to the horizontal plane horizontally adjacent to the drain section, on which upper side the base element (2) rests with its support area, wherein in particular the floor covering and the base element (2) are attached to the bearing layer across its support area by means of a connecting layer, in particular tile adhesive, and / or that the shower tray device (1) has a support (3) which has a bearing surface (33) at one vertical end and a standing surface (34) at its opposite vertical end, wherein the support (3) of the shower tray device (1) is supported with its standing surface (34) on the unfinished floor (5) and the base element (2) rests with its support surface on the bearing surface (33) of the support (3) and is supported on the unfinished floor (5) via the support (3), wherein in particular the bearing surface (33) adjoins the bearing layer and terminates vertically flush with the upper side of the bearing layer adjacent to it.

25. Method for installing a shower tray device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 22 in a room floor (100), wherein in a first method step a bearing layer with an upper side running parallel to a horizontal plane is realized on an unfinished floor (5), characterized in that in a second step of the method, a base element (2) is arranged on the unfinished floor (5), wherein a section of a floor covering, in particular tiles, is fixed to the upper side of the bearing layer at a horizontal longitudinal end and a horizontal transverse end of the base element (2) next to the base element (2), so that the section of a floor covering lies at the same vertical height as the horizontal ends of the floor element (2) arranged next to it, wherein during the second step of the process, the base element (2) is further provided with a drain section within which the base element (2) has a drain opening (20) and which forms at least 10% of the horizontal extension of the base element (2), is arranged next to the bearing layer, wherein the base element (2) is fixed to the upper side of the bearing layer, in particular by means of a bonding compound, for example tile adhesive, across a support area of the base element (2) which is at least 30% of a horizontal extension of the base element (2) running along the horizontal plane and lies outside the drain section, and / or wherein, in the first process step, a support (3) of the shower tray device (1), which has a bearing surface (33) at one vertical end and a standing surface (34) at its opposite vertical end, is placed with its standing surface (34) on the unfinished floor (5) and the bearing cover is realized horizontally next to the bearing surface (33) of the support (3) on the unfinished floor (5), and in the second step of the method, the base element (2) is placed on the bearing surface (33) of the support (3) with a support surface located within the drain section and is supported on the unfinished floor (5) via this, wherein in particular, before the second step of the method is carried out, an initial base element, by means of which the second step of the process can be carried out, is cut to size under implementation of the base element.