Profiled element

Abstract

Profile element (10) for a shower channel with a grate and a grate support (16) that supports the grate, wherein the grate and the grate support (16) have a greater extent in the longitudinal direction of the profile element (10) than in the transverse direction of the profile element (10), wherein at least one local recess (18) for grate removal is formed at at least one longitudinal end (17) of the grate support (16), which is bounded on both sides in the circumferential direction by a bearing surface (19) of the grate support (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a profile element for a shower channel.

[0002] Shower channels installed in the floor of showers to drain water generated during showering are known. For example, reference is made to DE 10 2008 051 761 A1, which describes a clamping element to support the installation of a drainage channel and to create a clean finish between the floor tiles and the channel body. CA 2 690 794 C allows for subsequent adjustment of the drain grate by means of screw connections and locknuts along its entire length. EP 2 354 341 A2 allows for subsequent adjustment of the cover plate by means of leveling screws. Further shower channels, or drainage channels, are also described in DE 20 2017 104 903 U1 and in US 2017 / 0241145 A1.

[0003] If shower channels have a slope to direct water to a grate located at the lowest point, aligning the channel during installation becomes more difficult. Similarly, aligning a shower profile with a spirit level is practically challenging if the profile has a built-in slope.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of ​​providing an improved profile element for a shower channel.

[0005] According to the invention, the problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1.

[0006] The profile element has at least one end section and a grate with a slope from the end section towards the grate. An auxiliary device can be positioned in the area of ​​the grate such that the upper surface of the auxiliary device is flush with the end section.

[0007] This tool allows a spirit level or other leveling device to be placed along the entire length of the profile element. This makes handling and installation of the profile element easier.

[0008] The profile element is typically a component of a shower channel or shower channel system and forms the visible top surface of the shower channel when installed, through which the water generated during showering is channeled. The water flows through the grate of the shower channel into the drain. To ensure efficient water flow to the grate, the profile element has an end section and a slope from this section to the grate. This slope is integrated into the profile element. The grate is usually located at the lowest point of the profile element, so that all water flowing over the profile element reaches the grate. The end section forms the highest point of the profile element, ensuring that all water between the end section and the grate flows to the grate. This slope is also integrated into the profile element.

[0009] The invention comprises a profile element itself, wherein the profile element is part of the shower channel or the shower channel system.

[0010] The tool is designed so that it can be positioned in the area of ​​the grate during assembly. Furthermore, the tool is designed so that, when positioned, its upper surface is flush with the end section. Together with the end section, the tool forms a bearing surface for a leveling device, which can be placed along the entire length of the profile element.

[0011] The invention is typically offered as a set in which the profile element and the tool can be handled separately. The profile element and the tool constitute a single sales unit. It is possible for the profile element and the tool to be offered loosely or detachably connected. If the profile element and the tool are offered in a connected state, the tool can be removed from the profile element, at the latest when the profile element has been laid and aligned, thus fulfilling the tool's function of facilitating the alignment of the profile element.

[0012] The profile element is elongated or strip-shaped and has two legs between which the grate is arranged. The two legs extend longitudinally along the profile element. Generally, the longitudinal direction of the profile element refers to the longer extension, and the transverse direction refers to the shorter, perpendicular extension. In this embodiment, the two legs can be symmetrical. The grate is positioned essentially centrally within the profile element. Specifically, the grate is positioned centrally both longitudinally and transversely along the profile element.

[0013] Other geometries of the profile element are possible.

[0014] The end section can be flat. For example, the end section can be designed as a straight, end portion of the profile element, to which the slope towards the grate connects. The end section itself does not necessarily have to have a slope. However, this is also possible. In this case, the top surface of the support is flush with the highest area of ​​the end section.

[0015] In this embodiment of the strip-shaped profile element, it has two end sections, one on each side. These two end sections are thus located at the distal end of the profile element along its axial length. In this embodiment, the mounting aid for the profile element is positioned in the area of ​​the grate, i.e., centrally between the two end sections. The upper surface of the mounting aid is flush with both end sections, allowing a spirit level to be placed along the entire length of the profile element.

[0016] Another preferred embodiment of the invention is specified in the dependent claim.

[0017] Preferably, the length and / or width of the auxiliary device are less than or equal to the corresponding length and / or width of the grate. This facilitates the positioning of the auxiliary device within the grate area and its handling. Preferably, the auxiliary device does not protrude beyond the grate or, more generally, beyond the profile element.

[0018] The top of the tool is designed as a support surface for a spirit level or other leveling device. This facilitates the installation of the profile element.

[0019] Preferably, the underside of the aid is profiled and corresponds to the profile of the top of the grate. This ensures that the aid can be positioned within the grate area so that it is precisely aligned with the end sections or with at least one end section. Alternatively, the underside of the aid can be flat, i.e., unprofiled. This embodiment is particularly easy to manufacture and can be combined with different profile elements.

[0020] In addition to or as an alternative to the profiled underside of the aid, the underside can have a fixing element, in particular an adhesive, a suction cup, or a clamping device. This creates or enables a temporary connection between the aid and the profile element, allowing for easy handling of the profile element with the aid attached to it. The fixing element can also be combined with the flat underside of the aid.

[0021] The aid can be block-shaped. Other geometries or shapes of the aid are possible.

[0022] With regard to the auxiliary element, its specific purpose is to align a profile element for a shower drain with a slope towards the water runoff, where the height of the auxiliary element corresponds to the slope. This is based on the same principle as the set, namely that the auxiliary element can compensate for a height difference between a part of the profile element, e.g., between an end section and the grate, thus simplifying installation.

[0023] With regard to a method for aligning a profile element of a shower channel, the profile element has at least one end section and a grate with a slope from the end section to the grate. In this method, an aid is positioned in the area of ​​the grate such that the upper surface of the aid is flush with the end section. A leveling device, in particular a spirit level, is placed on the upper surface of the aid and the end section.

[0024] The advantages of the method are explained above in connection with the set.

[0025] According to claim 1, a profile element for a shower channel is claimed, comprising a grate and a grate support that supports the grate. The grate and the grate support extend further in the longitudinal direction of the profile element than in the transverse direction. At least one local recess for grate removal is formed at at least one longitudinal end of the grate support. The local recess is bounded on both sides in the circumferential direction by a bearing surface of the grate support.

[0026] The recess allows the grate to be removed by pressing one end or corner into it, causing the other end to lift out of the grate support. This allows the grate to be removed from the grate support without the need for any tools. Pressing the grate into the recess can easily be done with a finger. Overall, this enables tool-free removal of the grate from the grate support or, more generally, from the profile element.

[0027] Preferably, a local recess for grate removal is formed at each of the longitudinal ends of the grate support, with the recesses being arranged diagonally. In this embodiment, it is irrelevant at which end the grate is pressed into the recess, making this embodiment particularly user-friendly.

[0028] The profile element according to the invention can be combined with the set or method.

[0029] The aspects of the invention can therefore be summarized as follows.

[0030] A first aspect concerns a profile element (10) for a shower channel with a grate and a grate support (16) that supports the grate, wherein the grate and the grate support (16) have a greater extent in the longitudinal direction of the profile element (10) than in the transverse direction of the profile element (10), wherein at least one local recess (18) for grate removal is formed at at least one longitudinal end (17) of the grate support (16), which is bounded on both sides in the circumferential direction by a bearing surface (19) of the grate support (16).

[0031] According to a second aspect, a local recess (18) for removing the grate is formed at each of the longitudinal ends (17) of the grate support (16), with the recesses (18) being arranged diagonally.

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the schematic drawings.

[0033] These show Fig. 1 a perspective view of a set with a profiled groove and an aid placed in the area of ​​the grate; Fig. 2 an example of the alignment method in which a spirit level is placed on the set; Fig. 3 the method according to Fig. 2 , in which the spirit level touches the profile element and the aid so that the profile element can be aligned, and Fig. 4 a top view of an embodiment according to the invention of a profile channel with recesses for removing the grate.

[0034] At the in Fig. 1 The set shown consists of a profile element 10 for a shower channel and an aid 11 for aligning the profile element 10. The set may include further components, such as a drain body with a sealing collar and odor trap, which is connected to the profile element during installation. The drain body has a drain connection. Such drain bodies are known and are not described in detail here.

[0035] The profile element 10, which is also simply referred to as the profile of the shower channel system, has a means for height adjustment 20 at the tile surface and a profile support 21 on each side. Other embodiments are possible.

[0036] The profile element 10 according to Fig. 1 The profile element 10 has two end sections 12 arranged at opposite ends. A different number and / or arrangement of the end sections 12 is possible depending on the shape of the profile element 10. The profile element 10 according to Fig. 1 The profile element 10 is designed in a strip-like shape and can, for example, be installed parallel to the shower wall. The strip-like profile element 10 has two legs extending axially outwards from its center, at the ends of which the end sections 12 are arranged. The end sections 12 are flat, i.e., without a slope, and each form the highest point of the profile element 10 when the profile element 10 is horizontally oriented. Other shapes for the end sections 12 are possible. For example, the end sections 12 can each be formed by the edges of the profile element 10 at their respective longitudinal ends.

[0037] The grate of the profile element 10 is arranged between the two end sections 12. In the example according to Fig. 1 The grate is positioned centrally between the two end sections 12. The grate is located at the lowest point of the profile element 10 when the latter is horizontally oriented. The grate does not necessarily have to be positioned in the center of the profile element 10, as long as it is located at the lowest point of the profile element 10.

[0038] The slope between the two end sections and the grate is integrally incorporated into the profile element 10. The top surface of the profile element 10 slopes towards the grate, so that the water runs down the top surface of the profile element 10 towards the grate.

[0039] The aid 11 can be used separately or, as in Fig. 1 The tool 11 is shown pre-assembled on the profile element 10. In any case, for mounting the profile element 10, the tool 11 is positioned on the grate, or generally in the area of ​​the grate, such that a top surface 14 of the tool 11 is flush with the end section 12. For this purpose, as shown in the example... Fig. 1 The aid 11 is block-shaped, so that the top surface 14 of the aid 11 forms a sufficiently large contact surface for a leveling device, for example a spirit level, as shown in the Figuren 2, 3 The height of the aid 11 corresponds to the height difference between the grate and the two end sections 12, which results from the slope. When the aid 11 is placed on the grate, this height difference is compensated for. The aid 11 can therefore also be described as an alignment aid.

[0040] Other forms of the aid suitable for compensating for a gradient between the end sections 12 or an end section 12 and the grate are possible.

[0041] The functioning of the in Fig. 1 The sets shown are in the Figuren 2, 3 The figure shows that a spirit level 15 is placed on the profile element 10 in such a way that the underside of the spirit level 15 touches both end sections 12 as well as the aid 11. The spirit level thus rests along the entire length of the profile element.

[0042] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a profile element of a shower channel which allows easy removal of the grate, for example to remove hair from the profile element 10 or to clean the odor trap.

[0043] In the example according to Fig. 4 The grate has already been removed and the grate support 16 of the profile element 10 is visible. The position of the grate is in Fig. 1 with reference to profile element 10. It should be noted again at this point that the embodiment is as follows: Fig. 4 is claimed.

[0044] In the embodiment according to Fig. 4 The grate and the grate support 16 have a greater extent in the longitudinal direction of the profile element 10 than in the transverse direction of the profile element 10. In other words, the grate and the grate support 16 are longer than they are wide. The shape of the grate essentially corresponds to the shape of the grate support 16, so that the latter can support the grate. In the example according to Fig. 4 A local recess 18 is formed at each of the longitudinal ends 17 of the grate support 16, each of which is shown as a colored triangle for clarity. A different number of recesses 18 is possible. The shape of the local recess 18 is at least partially determined by the shape of the grate support 16. In the example according to Fig. 4 The grate support 16 has a substantially rectangular shape. The two recesses 18 are each formed in a corner of the grate support 16 and have a substantially triangular shape. Other positions and shapes of the local recesses are possible.

[0045] The two local recesses 18 are bounded on both sides in the circumferential direction of the grate support by a bearing surface 19 of the grate support 16. This ensures that the recesses 18 are only formed in a defined area of ​​the grate support 16, so that the grate support 16 securely supports the grate during use.

[0046] In Fig. 4 As can be further seen, the two local recesses 18 are arranged diagonally opposite each other, so that the user can remove the grate either at the in Fig. 4 or Fig. 1 The right or left end of the grate can be pressed down on a corner, which is then moved into the recess 18. Simultaneously, the diagonally opposite corner is moved out of the grate holder 16, allowing the grate to be easily removed. Removal is tool-free. Reference symbol list

[0047] 10 Profile element 11 Auxiliary device 12 End section 14 Top of the auxiliary device 15 Spirit level 16 Grate support 17 Longitudinal end of the grate support 18 Local recess 19 Support surface 20 Means for height adjustment 21 Profile support

Claims

1. Profile element (10) for a shower channel having a grill and a grill support (16), which supports the grill, wherein the grill and the grill support (16) have a greater extension in the longitudinal direction of the profile element (10) than in the transverse direction of the profile element (10), characterized in that at least one local recess (18) for grill removal, which is delimited in the circumferential direction on both sides by a support surface (19) of the grill support (16), is formed on at least one longitudinal end (17) of the grill support (16).

2. Profile element (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a local recess (18) for grill removal is formed at both longitudinal ends (17) of the grill support (16), wherein the recesses (18) are arranged diagonally.

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