Pull-out hose device having a fluid connector and sanitary shower

Abstract

A pull-out hose device includes a hose box with a box housing, a pull-out hose held on the box housing to be pulled out and having at least one hose bend accommodated in the box housing, and a fluid connector for the pull-out hose. According to an illustrative embodiment, the hose box has a box holding frame to which the box housing is removably attachable in a mounting direction and is detachable therefrom in a demounting direction. The fluid connector includes a first connector part disposed on the box housing, to which connector part the pull-out hose is connected with one hose end, and a second connector part disposed on the box holding frame. The first and the second connector parts are connectable to each other in a fluid-tight manner in the mounting direction and are disconnectable from each other in the demounting direction.

Claims

1. A pull-out hose device comprising: a hose box with a box holding frame and a box housing which is removably attachable to the box holding frame in a mounting direction and is detachable from the box holding frame in a demounting direction; a pull-out hose held on the box housing to be pulled out and having at least one hose bend accommodated in the box housing; a fluid connector for the pull-out hose; wherein the fluid connector includes a first connector part disposed on the box housing, the pull-out hose being connected to the first connector part by one hose end, and a second connector part disposed on the box holding frame; and wherein the first and the second connector parts are connectable to each other in a fluid-tight manner in the mounting direction and are disconnectable from each other in the demounting direction.

2. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein: the first connector part has a first connector piece and the second connector part has a second connector piece; the first and the second connector pieces are insertable into each other; and the second connector piece extends into the interior of the box housing through an opening of the box housing in parallel to the mounting direction.

3. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting direction is a translational direction or a rotational direction, or a pivoting direction and the demounting direction is opposite to the mounting direction.

4. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein: the box housing is open on a top side and is fluid-tight at least in a lower region; and in an installed position of the hose box, the mounting direction extends vertically.

5. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one hose bend is accommodated in the box housing in variable length hanging downwards in a U-shape; and the box housing is at least one of curved in a U-shape on its bottom side, and has a vertical length that is greater than its horizontal width.

6. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein the box housing has a horizontal depth that is lesser than its horizontal width; and the fluid connector is disposed in a narrow side region of the hose box.

7. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid connector is disposed in a top side region of the hose box.

8. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid connector includes a non-return valve to prevent backflow in a direction from the pull-out hose toward the second connector part.

9. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein the second connector part includes a non-return valve to prevent flow in a direction from the second connector part toward the pull-out hose.

10. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid connector includes a safety device to safeguard the first connector part against self-acting disengagement from the second connector part.

11. The pull-out hose device according to claim 1, wherein the box housing includes a mounting bracket arrangement with at least one mounting bracket that is turnable between an operating position and a rest position, which at least one mounting bracket includes a releasable locking mechanism, by means of which the releasable locking mechanism the attachment of the box housing to the box holding frame is capable to be locked, wherein the releasable locking mechanism is released by a turning move of the mounting bracket from the rest position to the operating position and is locked by a turning move of the mounting bracket from the operating position to the rest position.

12. A sanitary shower, comprising: a pull-out hose device, including: a hose box with a box holding frame and a box housing which is removably attachable to the box holding frame in a mounting direction and is detachable from the box holding frame in a demounting direction; a pull-out hose held on the box housing to be pulled out and having at least one hose bend accommodated in the box housing; a fluid connector for the pull-out hose; wherein the fluid connector includes a first connector part disposed on the box housing, the pull-out hose being connected to the first connector part by one hose end, and a second connector part disposed on the box holding frame; wherein the first and the second connector parts are connectable to each other in a fluid-tight manner in the mounting direction and are disconnectable from each other in the demounting direction; a shower head unit having a shower outlet part and a shower handle part; wherein the shower head unit is connected to a fluid outlet of the pull-out hose on a fluid inlet; and wherein the hose box includes a holder for detachably holding the shower head unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and further embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shower having a pull-out hose device;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the view from FIG. 1 in an upper region with a covering rosette removed;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section, in perspective, of the shower in FIG. 1 with the covering rosette removed;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from the outside of a bathtub panel region with the shower shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 mounted thereon;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view from the inside of the tub panel region with the shower;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a detail view of a segment of an upper box housing region from FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a plan view from above of the shower according to FIG. 2;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section of the shower;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a detail view of an upper box housing region in the longitudinal section from FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal section of the shower in the tub panel region of FIGS. 4 and 5 in a position with the box housing raised from a box holding frame; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows a perspective section of the pull-out hose device on the tub panel region in the position according to FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(13) The shower illustrated in the figures has a pull-out hose device, which comprises a hose box 1 having a box holding frame 2 and a box housing 3, which is removably attachable on the box holding frame 2 in a mounting direction M and is removable from the box holding frame 2 in a demounting direction D. A pull-out hose 5 is held on the box housing 3 in a manner which enables it to be pulled out. The pull-out hose 5 comprises at least one hose loop 5a accommodated in the box housing 3. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the pull-out hose 5 comprises two hose loops 5a, 5b accommodated in the box housing 3; in alternative embodiments, it comprises just one or three or more hose loops, which are accommodated in the box housing 3.

(14) The pull-out hose device comprises a fluid connector 4 for the pull-out hose 5, wherein the fluid connector 4 has a first connector part 4a disposed on the box housing 3 and a second connector part 4b disposed on the box holding frame 2. The pull-out hose 5 is connected by a hose end 6 to the first connector part 4a. The first and the second connector parts 4a, 4b are connectable to each other in a fluid-tight manner in the mounting direction M and are disconnectable from each other in the demounting direction D. As already mentioned above, it is thereby possible to detach or separate the fluid connector 4 for the pull-out hose 5 simultaneously with the removal of the box housing 3 from the box holding frame 2 and to re-create the fluid connector 4 simultaneously with the reattachment of the box housing 3 to the box holding frame 2. Any connecting means of the kind known per se to a person skilled in the art for establishing such fluid connections can be used for the detachable connection of the two connector parts 4a, 4b, including plug connection means, screw connection means and combinations thereof.

(15) In the illustrative embodiment shown, the mounting direction M is a translational direction. In alternative embodiments, the mounting direction is a rotational direction or a pivoting direction. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the demounting direction D is counter to the mounting direction M. In alternative embodiments, this is not the case, it being possible, for example, for the demounting direction to be oblique relative to the mounting direction, or for the mounting direction to be a translational direction and the demounting direction to be a rotational direction or pivoting direction, or for the mounting direction to be a rotational direction or pivoting direction and the demounting direction to be a translational direction. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the mounting direction M and the demounting direction D are parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the pull-out hose device while, in alternative embodiments, this is not the case, it being possible, for example, in such embodiments for the mounting direction and/or the demounting direction to be oblique or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pull-out hose device. In the example shown, the pull-out hose device is configured for vertical mounting and demounting, i.e. the mounting direction M and the demounting direction D each extend in a vertical direction, e.g. the mounting direction M extends downwards and the demounting direction D extends upwards. In alternative embodiments, this is not the case, it being possible, for example, in such embodiments for the mounting direction and/or the demounting direction to be horizontal or oblique relative to the horizontal.

(16) In corresponding embodiments, the first connector part 4a has a first connector piece 7a and the second connector part 4b has a second connector piece 7b, wherein the two connector pieces 7a, 7b are insertable into each other, and the second connector piece 7b extends into the interior of the box housing 3 through an opening 8 of the box housing 3 in parallel to the mounting direction M, as is the case in the illustrative embodiment shown. It is thereby possible to ensure that the connecting or separating point between the two connector pieces 4a, 4b is in the box housing 3 and not outside the box housing 3. This has the advantage that any leaking fluid which accidentally escapes at this connecting or separating point in the event of a leak can be held and collected in the box housing 3, thus ensuring that it does not get into the external area outside the box housing 3.

(17) In corresponding embodiments, a lower inlet connector piece 23 of the second connector part 4b is used for connection to a fluid or water supply, this connection being conventional and therefore not shown specifically. In this case, the fluid or water emerges from the pull-out hose 5 at the pull-out end thereof. As an alternative, the opposite fluid flow direction can be provided, i.e. the fluid enters the pull-out hose 5 at the pull-out end thereof and emerges from the second connector part 4b.

(18) In corresponding embodiments of the pull-out hose device, as in the example shown, the box housing 3 is open on a top side 3a and is fluid-tight at least in a lower region 3b, wherein, in an installed position of the hose box 1, the mounting direction M extends vertically. This enables fluid that enters the box housing 3 owing to a leak or as spray or for some other reason to be collected in the fluid-tight lower region 3b of the box housing 3. The open top side can be used to dispose there the pull-out end of the pull-out hose 5, i.e. to enable the pull-out hose 5 to be pulled upwards out of the hose box 1. As an option, the open top side 3a of the box housing 3 can be covered by a removable covering rosette 9, as in the example shown. In alternative embodiments, the pull-out hose can be pulled out of the hose box on a different side of said box, e.g. downwards or laterally. As an option, the box housing 3 can be provided with a reinforcing rib structure 24, as shown. This can enhance the stability of the box housing 3 and favour manufacture thereof with a relatively low weight.

(19) In corresponding embodiments of the pull-out hose device, as in the example shown, the at least one hose loop 5a is accommodated in the box housing 3 hanging downwards in variable length in a U shape, wherein the box housing 3 is curved in a U shape on its bottom side and/or the box housing 3 has a vertical length V.sub.L that is greater than its horizontal width H.sub.B. This allows a correspondingly long length for the downward-hanging hose loop or loops 5a, 5b in the box housing 3 and promotes a compact construction of the hose box 1. In alternative embodiments, the at least one hose loop is accommodated with a variable length in some other position, e.g. horizontally, in the box housing, or the box housing is not curved in a U shape on its bottom side but has a polygonal or rectangular contour, for example, or the box housing has a vertical length which is less than its horizontal width.

(20) In corresponding embodiments of the pull-out hose device, as in the example shown, the box housing 3 has a horizontal depth H.sub.T that is less than its horizontal width H.sub.B, and the fluid connector 4 is disposed in a narrow side region 3c of the hose box 1 or of the box housing 3. This favours accommodation of the hose loop or loops 5a, 5b in a manner secured against twisting in the box housing 3 and favours space-saving arrangement of the fluid connector 4. In alternative embodiments, the box housing has a horizontal depth that is greater than its horizontal width, and/or the fluid connector is disposed in a wide side region of the hose box.

(21) In corresponding embodiments of the pull-out hose device, the fluid connector 4 is disposed in a top side region 1a of the hose box 1, as in the example shown. In corresponding applications, this can be advantageous, e.g. as regards accessibility of the fluid connector 4 and/or as regards simple coupling of the fluid connector 4 to a fluid supply. In alternative embodiments, the fluid connector is disposed in a central or lower region of the hose box.

(22) In corresponding embodiments of the pull-out hose device, as in the example shown, the fluid connector 4 includes a non-return valve 10 to safeguard counter to the direction facing the pull-out hose 5. It is thereby possible, for example, to avoid a situation where dirty water can be drawn in at the pull-out end of the pull-out hose and can enter the second connector part 4b via the pull-out hose 5 and, from there, can flow rearwards into an upstream line segment. In addition or as an alternative, a non-return valve (not shown) that safeguards in the direction of the pull-out hose 5 can be provided in the second connector part 4b. By means of a non-return valve of this kind, it is possible to prevent fluid which is fed to the second connector part 4b on the inlet side from emerging from the second connector part 4b when the two connector parts 4a, 4b are detached from each other. To achieve this, it is expedient if this non-return valve is configured and arranged in such a way that it is positively opened as the two connector parts 4a, 4b are coupled together to create the fluid connector 4 and is then automatically closed again when the two connector parts 4a, 4b are separated. In further alternative embodiments, no non-return valve is provided.

(23) In corresponding embodiments, as in the example shown, the fluid connector 4 includes a safety device 11 to safeguard the first connector part 4a against self-acting disengagement from the second connector part 4b. For this purpose, it is possible to use any safety devices of the kind familiar per se to a person skilled in the art for securing two connected connector parts in this way. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the safety device 11 includes a safety bracket 11a, which is held detachably, e.g. by means of a snap or clip joint, on the second connector part 4b in a safety position visible in FIG. 6, for example, and fits around the first connector part 4a in the demounting direction D and thereby prevents the first connector part 4a from being removed from the second connector part 4b in the demounting direction D. To disengage this safety device, the safety bracket 11a can be released from the second connector part 4b, e.g. by unlatching the snap or clip joint mentioned, after which the first connector part 4a can be removed from the second connector part 4b in the demounting direction D. During this process, the safety bracket 11a can remain on the first connector part 4a. In alternative embodiments, the safety bracket 12 remains on the second connector part 4b and can be swung away or moved in some other way for disengagement in such a way that it no longer fits around the first connector part 4a in the demounting direction D, with the result that the first connector part 4a is released for detachment from the second connector part 4b in the demounting direction D.

(24) As an alternative, the pull-out hose device used in the shower shown, which can be a sanitary shower, for example, can be used for any other sanitary or non-sanitary shower or for some other fluid-carrying device having a pull-out hose. In the example shown, the shower comprises the pull-out hose device and a shower head unit 12 having a shower outlet part 13 and a shower handle part 14. The shower head unit 12 has a fluid inlet 12a, at which it is connected to a fluid outlet 15 of the pull-out hose 5. The hose box 1 of the pull-out hose device comprises a holder 16 for detachably holding the shower head unit 12.

(25) In the illustrative embodiment shown, the shower is suitable, for example, as a hand-held shower for a bathtub, in which the pull-out hose device can be disposed in a concealed manner, for example, on the inside of an associated bathtub panel 17, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 10 and 11. In the example shown, the pull-out hose device is held for this purpose by means of its box holding frame 2 on the bathtub panel 17, in a corresponding opening in a top side region 17a of the bathtub panel 17. This top side region 17a of the bathtub panel 17 can adjoin a bathtub rim of the bathtub at the side, for example.

(26) The box housing 3 of the hose box 1 can be inserted into the box holding frame 2 in the mounting direction M from the top down, with its open top side 3a facing upwards, and removed from the bottom up from said frame in the demounting direction D, wherein the open top side 3a of the box housing 3 is covered with the optional covering rosette 9 in the inserted state. Accordingly, the shower head unit 12 can be pulled upwards out of the box housing 3 for use as a hand-held shower in the bathtub. After use, it can be returned to its holder 16 on the hose box 1.

(27) This return movement can be assisted by an optional guide weight roller arrangement 18, which comprises a respective guide weight roller 18a, 18b inserted into each hose loop 5a, 5b in such a way as to be rotatable about a rotational axis 19. In particular, this can be a guide weight roller arrangement of the kind described in the prior German Patent Application 10 2017 200 327 mentioned, to which reference can be made in the present case for further details in this respect. Together with the dimensioning of the box housing 3, which is matched to the dimensions of the hose loop or loops 5a, 5b, the guide weight roller arrangement 18 assists the accommodation of the hose loops 5a, 5b in a manner secured against twisting and, by virtue of the dead weight of the guide weight rollers 18a, 18b, can additionally assist return of the pulled-out shower head unit 12 to its holder 16. The guide weight rollers 18a, 18b act as loose, vertically movable rollers, for which purpose the rotational axis 19 thereof is guided in a correspondingly vertically movable manner in a vertical guide 20 on the inside of the box housing 3. For the deflection of the hose at the top between the two hose loops 5a, 5b shown, there is an arcuate sliding element 21 disposed immovably on the hose box 1.

(28) To remove the box housing 3 from the box holding frame 2, starting from the fully assembled state of the hose box 1, the user first of all removes the optional covering rosette 9 and, in the example shown, then pulls the box housing 3 upwards out of the box holding frame 2. In this case, the pull-out hose 5 remains in the box housing 3, and the shower head unit 12 remains in its holder 16.

(29) For easier removal of the box housing 3 from the box holding frame 2, a mounting bracket arrangement having at least one or, as shown, two mounting brackets 22 or, alternatively, more than two mounting brackets is optionally disposed on the open top side 3a of the box housing 3, said brackets being in a rest position in the assembled state of the pull-out hose device, e.g. being turned down parallel to the box top side 3a, for example, as can be seen from FIG. 2. To manipulate the box housing 3, i.e. to move it into the box holding frame 2 or remove it therefrom, the mounting brackets 22 can be turned up through about 90, for example, into an operating position, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example.

(30) In corresponding embodiments, the mounting bracket arrangement can include a releasable locking mechanism for attaching the box housing 3 to the box holding frame 2. For this purpose, the locking mechanism is configured and disposed in such a way, in a manner which is conventional per se, that it is released by the turning movement of the mounting bracket or brackets 22 from the rest position to the operating position and is locked by a turning movement of the mounting bracket or brackets 22 from the operating position to the rest position. To remove the box housing 3 from the box holding frame 2, the mounting brackets 22 must therefore first of all be turned up into the operating position.

(31) Removing the box housing 3 from the box holding frame 2 in the demounting direction D simultaneously releases the fluid connector 4, i.e. the connection, in this example the plug connection, between the two connector pieces 7a, 7b. The second connector part 4b with the associated second connector piece 7b remains on the box holding frame 2, while the first connector part 4a with the first connector piece 7a is pulled off upwards. The non-return valve 10 prevents water from escaping, even if the second connector part 4b is coupled via its inlet connector piece 23 to a water supply and the latter is open. Such removal of the box housing 3 can be used, for example, to perform maintenance work on the pull-out hose 5 or the other components in the box housing 3 or on the second connector part 4b, which may then be more accessible, or to empty leaked fluid or leaked water that may have collected in the lower region 3b of the box housing 3 from said housing.

(32) FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the pull-out hose device in the state where the box housing 3 has been moved partially out of the box holding frame 2, wherein the fluid connection 4 has already been released or separated, i.e. the first connector piece 7a has already been moved completely out of its plug connection with the second connector piece 7b. The box housing can be reinserted into the box holding frame in the mounting direction M in a similar way, as a result of which the first connector piece 7a is simultaneously reconnected to the second connector piece 7b, and the fluid connector 4 is thus re-created.

(33) It is self-evident that the shower shown and the pull-out hose device shown are not only suitable for hand-held shower devices for bathtubs but also, for example, for kitchen sink devices with a pull-out shower device and other devices for supplying fluid that have a pull-out hose. As the illustrative embodiments shown and explained above make clear, the invention makes available a pull-out hose device which, in a very advantageous manner, has a hose box housing which can be removed from a box holding frame and on which the pull-out hose is held to enable it to be pulled out, wherein the fluid connector for the pull-out hose can be created or released simultaneously with the mounting or demounting of the box housing.

(34) Although the invention has been described in detailed with reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.