Holding device for attaching a functional element to a rod

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device for attaching a functional element to a rod (2), in particular for attaching a shelf (1) to a shower rod, comprising: a holding element (3) which can be attached to the rod (2) by a straight-line movement in an application direction (4) orthogonal to an extension direction of the rod (2), a fixing element (5) wherein the fixing element (5) can be attached to the holding element (3), in the state attached to the holding element (3) secures the holding element (3) against removal from the rod (2) contrary to the application direction (4), in the state attached to the holding element (3) can be moved from a movement position to a fixing position and back, and in the fixing position fixes the holding element (3) to the rod (2), wherein the holding element (3) is movable along the rod together with the holding element (3) in the movement position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device for attaching a functional element, such as a (shower / soap) shelf, to a (shower) rod, and to a shower rod with a shelf attached to the shower rod by means of such a holding device.

[0002] It is desirable to have a shelf that can be retrofitted to a shower rail, providing a convenient place to put soap or other shower items, keeping them easily accessible while showering. Retrofitting a shelf is particularly useful when there is no other storage space available in the shower.

[0003] From DE 200 03 623 U1, a holding device is known in which a holding element, referred to as a connecting element, can be attached to a shower rod. The connecting element has an open clamping device, so that the connecting element can be attached to the rod with a straight movement in an application direction that is orthogonal to the extension direction of the shower rod. Due to the open clamping device, the connecting element can be removed from the shower rod at any time and possibly unintentionally. In addition, due to the open design of the clamping device, it is not guaranteed that the holding device will remain in the intended position on the shower rod. Rather, there is a risk that, especially when loaded with heavy soap, the holding device will slide down along the shower rod on its own.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages described with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a holding device that is securely attached to a shower rod and is also securely fixed at a desired location on the shower rod.

[0005] One possible solution to the problem is given by the holding device with the features of the independent claim, wherein further solutions and advantageous developments are given in the following description and the dependent claims, wherein individual features of the advantageous developments can be combined with each other in a technically meaningful way.

[0006] The problem is solved in particular by a holding device for attaching a functional element to a rod, and especially by a holding device for attaching a shelf to a shower rod, wherein the holding device comprises a holding element which can be attached to the rod by a linear movement in an application direction, preferably orthogonal to an extension direction of the rod. The holding device can also include a fixing element, wherein the fixing element can be attached to or is attached to the holding element and, in the state attached to the holding element, secures the holding element against removal from the rod contrary to the application direction. Furthermore, the fixing element, particularly in the state attached to the holding element, can be moved from a movement position to a fixing position and back, wherein, in the fixing position, the fixing element secures the holding element to the rod.The holding element and / or the fixing element are also designed and arranged in such a way that the holding element can be moved along the rod together with the fixing element in the movement position of the fixing element.

[0007] In other words, the invention essentially provides that, in addition to the holding element which rests against the rod and carries the functional element in the fully assembled state, the holding device comprises a separate fixing element. This fixing element secures the holding element against removal from the rod in the opposite direction of attachment and, in a first position (fixing position), prevents the holding element from sliding along the rod. In a second position (movement position), it allows the holding element to slide along the rod. Such a holding device can be retrofitted to a rod, while simultaneously preventing unintentional removal from and movement along the rod, whereas in the movement position, the holding element can be moved along the rod.

[0008] The retaining element can consist of several components. Preferably, the retaining element is formed from exactly one component. In one embodiment, the retaining element can be designed as a functional element (for example, as a shelf). However, it is preferred that the retaining element is suitable for attaching a separate functional element to it.

[0009] The retaining element is designed such that it can be placed against the rod in a plane oriented, in particular, orthogonally to the rod's direction of extension. For example, the retaining element can have two arm-shaped extensions which, when the retaining element is placed against the rod, are guided past the rod on opposite sides and project beyond the rod when placed against it. The arm-shaped extensions form an insertion opening between them, through which the rod is guided when the retaining element is placed against the rod. Furthermore, the arm-shaped extensions define an opening in which the rod is positioned when placed against the rod. The position of the retaining element transverse to the direction of application when placed against the rod is defined by the two arm-shaped extensions. The arm-shaped extensions can partially rest against the rod.

[0010] The fixing element is designed such that it can be attached to the holding element when the holding element is in contact with the rod. The fixing element can, for example, be designed such that, when attached to the holding element, it also rests against the rod.

[0011] The holding element and the fixing element are preferably designed such that the fixing element, after being attached to the holding element, particularly in a captive manner, can be moved back and forth between the movement position and the fixing position. The holding element and / or the fixing element are particularly designed such that, in the fixing position, there is a force-fit between the holding device and the rod, with the holding force being significantly greater in the fixing position than in the movement position. Conversely, the holding element and the fixing element are designed such that, in the movement position, there is no or only a slight holding force between the holding device and the rod, allowing the holding device to slide along the rod.

[0012] The fixing element is designed in such a way that it can be moved manually between the fixing position and the movement position without tools. It is possible that the fixing element can be moved between the fixing position and the movement position by a linear movement or by a rotational movement.

[0013] Preferably, however, the fixing element can be moved from the movement position to the fixing position by a pivoting movement. For this purpose, an axis is formed about which the fixing element can be pivoted between the fixing position and the movement position, wherein the pivot angle between the fixing position and the movement position has a value particularly between 30° and 180°, preferably between 45° and 120°, most preferably between 60° and 100°, and preferably 90°.

[0014] The fixing element, particularly in the state attached to the retaining element, is arranged, at least partially, within the arm-shaped extensions. Thus, the fixing element does not surround the arm-shaped extensions on their outer surface, but is located in a space formed between the two arm-shaped extensions.

[0015] For example, the fixing element can be pivotally mounted between the two arm-shaped extensions. For this purpose, the fixing element can have pin-shaped projections that engage in corresponding recesses in the arm-shaped extensions, or vice versa.

[0016] Preferably, the fixing element can be pivotally attached to the retaining element by means of a pin positioned between the arm-shaped extensions. In this case, the fixing element preferably has a through-hole through which a pin can be inserted, simultaneously engaging corresponding holes in the arm-shaped extensions, which are arranged concentrically to the through-hole in the fixing element. In this way, the fixing element can be easily attached to the retaining element, which is already in contact with the shower rail, by first positioning the fixing element between the arm-shaped extensions and then inserting the pin from the outside through a hole in the first extension, through the hole in the fixing element, and then into the hole in the second extension.

[0017] The fixing element is preferably lever-shaped and thus pivotable about a (swivel) axis. The lever has an eccentric profile designed such that the clamping force between the holding device and the shower rod is greatest in the fixing position of the fixing element and decreases when the lever pivots from the fixing position to the movement position.

[0018] The fixing element is designed such that a lever arm extends along the rod in the fixed position. In contrast, the fixing element is designed such that the lever arm in the movement position is oriented at an angle between 20° and 180°, preferably between 45° and 120°, particularly preferably between 60° and 100°, and preferably at 90° to the rod.

[0019] On its upper surface facing the shower rod, the fixing element can have a contour whose curvature (around the central axis of the shower rod, which is circular in cross-section) corresponds to the curvature of the rod. Thus, the fixing element rests against the shower rod in a plane orthogonal to its longitudinal direction, not just at a single point, but along a line, thereby increasing the holding force.

[0020] To ensure gentle and even loading of the rod, a compressible plastic element can be arranged between the fixing element and the rod, which distributes the force between the shower rod and the holding device and prevents direct contact between the fixing element and the rod.

[0021] The invention also relates to a shower rod with a support device attached to the shower rod and a shelf mounted on the support device. In this context, it can be provided, in particular, that the shelf has a shape on its lower side when attached, which corresponds to the outer contour of the support device. Thus, the shelf can be placed onto the support device from above.

[0022] The invention and its technical context are explained below using the figures as examples. They show schematic representations. Figure 1: a shower rod with a shelf attached to it, Figure 2: the shower rod with a holding device, Figure 3: attaching a holding element to the shower rod, Figure 4: arranging a fixing element on the holding element, Figure 5: inserting a pin into the holding element and the fixing element, Figure 6: a sectional view through the holding device in a moving position of the fixing element, Figure 7: the cross-sectional view in a fixed position of the fixing element, Figure 8: placing the shelf onto the holding element and Figure 9: a bottom view of the shelf, the holding device and the shower rod.

[0023] The present invention relates to the attachment of a shelf 1 to a shower rod 2, as described in Figure 1 is shown.

[0024] The holding device required for attaching shelf 1 to shower rod 2 is in Figure 2shown in a state attached to shower rod 2.

[0025] The holding device comprises a holding element 3 with a first arm-shaped extension 3.1 and a second arm-shaped extension 3.2. The holding device also comprises a fixing element 5, which is pivotably arranged between the two arm-shaped extensions 3.1 and 3.2 by means of a pin 6. As can be seen in particular from the Figures 6 and 7 As can be seen, the fixing element 5 has a lever arm 5.2 and an eccentric profile 5.1.

[0026] The holding device also includes a compressible plastic element 7, which is arranged between the fixing element 5 and the shower rod 2 in the assembled state.

[0027] To attach the retaining device to the shower rod 2, the retaining element 3 is placed against the shower rod 2. For this purpose, the retaining element 3 is placed against the shower rod 2 in a straight line in an application direction 4, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the shower rod 2, whereby the two arm-shaped extensions 3.1 and 3.2 are guided past the shower rod 2 on opposite sides (see Figure 3 After the retaining element 3 is attached, the two arm-shaped extensions 3.1 and 3.2 protrude beyond the shower rod 2 (see Figure 4 ).

[0028] In this state, the fixing element 5 can be placed between the two arm-shaped extensions 3.1 and 3.2 (see Figure 4 ).

[0029] In the following, the pin 6 is inserted into holes in the two arm-shaped extensions 3.1 and 3.2 and through a hole in the fixing element 5 (see Figure 5In this state, in which the fixing element 5 is attached to the retaining element 3, the retaining element 3 is secured against removal from the shower rod 2 by the fixing element.

[0030] In the state attached to the retaining element 3, the fixing element 5 can be positioned between the in Figure 6 shown movement position and the one in Figure 7 The fixed position shown can be swivelled. In the Figure 7 In the shown fixing position, the lever arm 5.2 of the fixing element 5 is aligned parallel to the shower rod 2, whereby, due to the shape of the eccentric profile 5.1, a relatively large clamping force acts between the holding device and the shower rod 2. The holding device is thus securely fixed to the shower rod 2 and secured against displacement along the shower rod 2.

[0031] At the in Figure 6In the movement position shown, this holding force is lower or possibly not present at all due to the eccentric design of profile 5.1, so that the holding device along the shower rod 2 (indicated by the double arrow in Figure 6 ) can simply be moved.

[0032] When the holding device is in the desired position on the shower rod 2 and the fixing element 5 has been brought into its fixing position, the shelf 1 can be placed onto the holding device from above along the shower rod 2 ( Figure 8 ).

[0033] As from Figure 9 As can be seen, the shelf 1 has a recess on its underside, the shape of which is adapted to the outer contour of the retaining element 3, so that the shelf 1 can be securely attached to the retaining element 3. Reference symbol list

[0034] 1 Storage 2 Rod 3 Holding element 3.1 First extension 3.2 Second extension 4 Positioning direction 5 Fixing element 5.1 Eccentric profile 5.2 Lever arm 6 Pin 7 Plastic element

Claims

1. Holding device for attaching a functional element to a rod (2), in particular for attaching a shelf (1) to a shower rod, comprising: - a holding element (3) which can be attached to the rod (2) by a movement, in particular a straight line, in an application direction (4), - a fixing element (5), wherein the fixing element (5) • can be attached to or is attached to the holding element (3), • in the state attached to the holding element (3) secures the holding element (3) against removal from the rod (2) contrary to the application direction (4), • in the state attached to the holding element (3) can be moved from a movement position to a fixing position and back, and • in the fixing position fixes the holding element (3) to the rod (2), wherein the holding element (3) is movable along the rod (2) together with the fixing element (5) in the movement position.

2. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding element (3) has two arm-shaped extensions (3.1, 3.2) which, when the holding element (3) is placed against the rod (2), are guided past the rod (2) on opposite sides and project beyond the rod (2) in the state placed against the rod (2).

3. Holding device according to claim 2, wherein the fixing element (5) is arranged at least sectionally between the arm-shaped extensions (3.1, 3.2) in the state attached to the holding element (3).

4. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (5) can be pivotably attached or mounted on the holding element (3) by means of a pin (6), in particular between the arm-shaped extensions (3.1, 3.2).

5. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (5) can be moved from the movement position to the fixing position by a pivoting movement.

6. Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (5) is designed as a lever and has an eccentric profile (5.1) on the side facing the rod (2).

7. Holding device according to claim 6, wherein a lever arm (5.2) extends along the rod (2) in the fixing position.

8. Holding device according to claim 7, wherein the lever arm (5.2) has on its upper side facing the rod (2) a contour with a curvature corresponding to the radius of the rod (2).

9. Holding device according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a compressible plastic element (7) is arranged between the fixing element (5) and the rod (2).

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