Spray nozzle

Abstract

A spray nozzle (1) for a sanitary article (2), in particular for a urinal, includes a nozzle head (3) which comprises a nozzle channel (4) which extends along a center axis (M) and has a nozzle inlet (5) and a nozzle outlet (6), and a pipe section (7) which comprises an interior (8) with an inlet (9), to which a water pipe (10) is connectable, and an outlet (11). The nozzle head (3) is mounted in the interior (8), wherein the nozzle inlet (5) is accessible from the interior (8) such that flushing water is able to enter into the nozzle channel (4) from the interior (8) and the nozzle outlet (6) projects out of the interior (8), and wherein the nozzle head (3) is secured with reference to the interior (8) of the pipe section (7) by means of a securing element (12).

Claims

1. A spray nozzle for a sanitary article, in particular for a urinal, said spray nozzle comprising: a nozzle head which comprises a nozzle channel which extends along a center axis and has a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet, a pipe section which comprises an interior with an inlet, to which a water pipe is connectable, and an outlet, and a cover which covers the nozzle head at its front side and which is in connection with the pipe section, wherein, in the connected state, in the region of the nozzle outlet, the cover maintains an interspace through which the water is suppliable from the nozzle outlet to the sanitary article, wherein the nozzle head is mounted in the interior, wherein the nozzle inlet is accessible from the interior such that flushing water is able to enter into the nozzle channel from the interior and the nozzle outlet projects out of the interior, wherein the nozzle head is secured with reference to the interior of the pipe section by means of a securing element, wherein the securing element is a groove and tongue connection between the nozzle head and the interior; wherein said groove and tongue connection comprises at least one part portion which, with reference to the center axis, is formed at least in part circumferential and extending along the center axis in such a manner that a rotation of the nozzle head in the fixed interior results in an axial displacement along the center axis; wherein the nozzle head and the pipe section include alignment elements such that, in its installation position, the nozzle head is mounted in the interior so as to be non-rotatable with reference to a movement about the center axis; and wherein said groove and tongue connection provides the alignment element.

2. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle head is insertable into the interior by means of the outlet of the pipe section.

3. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a spring element, which presses the nozzle head in the direction of the cover in such a manner that the position of the nozzle head inside the pipe section when viewed along the center axis is determined, is arranged between the inlet of the pipe section and the nozzle head.

4. The spray nozzle according to claim 3, wherein the spring element is a compression spring, or wherein the spring element includes a compression spring with a front end and a rear end as well as a guide part which is in connection with the front end and a guide part which is in connection with the rear end.

5. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the securing element is a cover which is connectable to the pipe section and projects in such a manner over the outlet that, as a result of the cover, the nozzle head is opposed by a stop with reference to a movement out of the interior.

6. The spray nozzle according to claim 5, wherein a spring element, which presses the nozzle head in the direction of the cover in such a manner that the position of the nozzle head inside the pipe section when viewed along the center axis (M) is determined, is arranged between the inlet of the pipe section and the nozzle head.

7. The spray nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the spring element is a compression spring, or wherein the spring element includes a compression spring with a front end and a rear end as well as a guide part which is in connection with the front end and a guide part which is in connection with the rear end.

8. The spray nozzle according claim 5, wherein the cover comprises a guide surface, which is formed inclined at an angle with respect to the center axis and pushes the nozzle head into the interior when the cover is assembled.

9. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein on the outside the pipe section comprises orientation elements which are formed in such a manner that they allow an alignment between the pipe section and the sanitary article with reference to a rotation about the centre axis.

10. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a seal, which seals the gap with respect to water, is arranged in the gap between the outside surface of the nozzle head and the interior.

11. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle head is formed in one-piece.

12. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle head is formed in multiple parts with a nozzle part with the nozzle outlet and a bearing part with the nozzle inlet, wherein the nozzle channel extends through the nozzle part and the bearing part and wherein the two parts are fixedly connected with each other.

13. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the pipe section is connectable to a water pipe in the region of the inlet.

14. The spray nozzle according to claim 13, wherein the nozzle head comprises a lateral surface which extends around the center axis and a front surface, wherein the nozzle inlet is arranged opposite the front surface and wherein the nozzle outlet penetrates the lateral surface in the region of the front surface.

15. The spray nozzle according to claim 14, wherein the nozzle outlet only extends in part around the center axis and comprises an opening angle of a maximum of 180, in particular of a maximum of 160, in a particularly preferred manner of between 90 and 180.

16. The spray nozzle according to claim 14 wherein the cross section of the nozzle outlet when viewed in the direction of the center axis varies over the circumference, wherein the cross section is preferably minimal in the region of the center of the nozzle outlet.

17. The spray nozzle according to claim 14, wherein the nozzle outlet only extends in part around the center axis and comprises an opening angle of a maximum of 180, in particular of a maximum of 160, in a particularly preferred manner of between 90 and 180, and wherein the cross section of the nozzle outlet when viewed in the direction of the center axis varies over the circumference, wherein the cross section is preferably minimal in the region of the centre of the nozzle outlet.

18. A sanitary article arrangement including a sanitary article, in particular a urinal, having a collecting basin and an outlet as well as a spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle outlet is aligned in such a manner that the collecting basin is wetted and the nozzle outlet is directed toward the outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of the drawings which serve purely for explanation and are not to be seen as restricting. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a spray nozzle according to the present invention according to a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded drawing of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a sectional representation of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 1 in the installation position;

(5) FIGS. 4a/4b show a perspective view and a sectional representation of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 1 in the installation position;

(6) FIGS. 5a/5b show a perspective view and a sectional representation of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 1 during assembly or disassembly;

(7) FIGS. 6-9 show further sectional representations of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 1 during assembly or disassembly;

(8) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a spray nozzle according to the present invention according to a second embodiment;

(9) FIG. 11 shows a perspective exploded drawing of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 10;

(10) FIG. 12 shows a sectional representation of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 10 in the installation position;

(11) FIGS. 13a/13b show a perspective view and a sectional representation of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 10 in the installation position;

(12) FIGS. 14a/14b show a perspective view and a sectional representation of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 10 during assembly or disassembly; and

(13) FIGS. 15-18 show further sectional representations of the spray nozzle according to FIG. 10 during assembly or disassembly.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) A perspective view of a spray nozzle 1 for a sanitary article 2, in particular for a urinal, is shown in the Figures. FIGS. 1 to 9 show a first embodiment and FIGS. 10 to 18 show a second embodiment.

(15) The spray nozzle 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 10 is shown in the mounted state without the sanitary article.

(16) FIGS. 2 and 11 show exploded drawings of the spray nozzle 1 according to the first embodiment and according to the second embodiment.

(17) The spray nozzle 1 includes a nozzle head 3 which comprises a nozzle channel 4, which extends along a centre axis M and has a nozzle inlet 5 and a nozzle outlet 6, and a pipe section 7 which comprises an interior 8 with an inlet 9, to which a water pipe 10 is connectable, and an outlet 11. The nozzle head 3 is mounted in the interior 8 of the pipe section 7 and can be inserted into the interior 8 by means of the outlet 11. The nozzle inlet 5, in this case, is accessible from the interior 8 of the pipe section 7 in such a manner that flushing water is able to enter into the nozzle channel 4 of the nozzle head 3 from the interior 8. The nozzle head 3, in this case, is arranged in the interior 8 such that the nozzle outlet 6 projects out of the interior 8, in particular out of the outlet 11. The nozzle outlet 6 is therefore not in the interior 8 but is located in a correspondingly exposed manner such that flushing water is able to emerge from the nozzle outlet 6. The nozzle head 3 is secured or fixed in the interior 8 of the pipe section 7 by means of a securing element 12.

(18) The securing element 12 according to the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 9 is a groove and tongue connection 14, 15 and the securing element 12 according to the second embodiment according to FIGS. 10 to 18 is a cover 17. Said two embodiments are now explained in more detail below.

(19) The pipe section 7 here comprises a circumferential flange 34 on the outside in the region of the outlet 11. The flange 34 serves as a stop element during assembly into the sanitary article 2. In addition, the spray nozzle 1 here includes a cap nut 35 which is connectable to the pipe section 7 such that it can be clamped to the sanitary article 2 together with the flange 34. There is an interspace, which serves for receiving parts of the sanitary article, between the cap nut 35 and the flange 34. In the assembled state, the pipe section 7 is in connection with the sanitary article. In the embodiment shown, it projects through an opening in the sanitary article 2.

(20) In addition, FIGS. 3 and 12 show a section of the water pipe 10, here a curved section. The water pipe 10 projects into the interior 8 by means of the inlet 9 and is fastened to the pipe section 7 by way of a further cap nut 36. The threads for the cap nuts 35, 36, in this case, are arranged on the outside circumference of the pipe section 7.

(21) In addition, in the embodiment shown, the nozzle head 3 and the pipe section 7 include alignment elements 13 such that the nozzle head 3 is mounted in its installation position in the interior 8 of the pipe section 7 in a non-rotatable manner with reference to a movement about the centre axis M. This consequently ensures that the nozzle outlet 6 is always in the correct orientation such that the sanitary article can be wetted or flushed in an appropriate manner. The correct orientation is shown in the sectional drawing of FIGS. 3 and 13. The nozzle outlet 6, in this case, is directed toward the collecting basin 33 of the sanitary article 2. Depending on the embodiment, the alignment elements 13 can be formed differently.

(22) The securing element 12 according to the first embodiment of the spray nozzle 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 9 is in the form of a groove and tongue connection 14, 15 between the nozzle head 3 and the interior 8. Said connection can be seen particularly well in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows the groove 14 on the outside of the nozzle head 3. The tongue 15 is easy to recognize in FIG. 3. The tongue 15, in this case, projects into the interior 8 of the pipe section 7. The groove and tongue connection 14, 15 provides the nozzle head 3 with a stop against movement in the direction of the centre axis M in the interior 8.

(23) The groove and tongue connection 14, 15 is preferably formed in such a manner that it comprises a part portion 16 which, with reference to the centre axis M, is formed at least in part circumferential and extending in a longitudinal direction along the centre axis M. The formation of the groove and tongue connection 14, 15 is accordingly in such a manner that a rotation of the nozzle head 3 in the fixed interior 8 results in an axial displacement A along the centre axis M.

(24) Said function of the groove and tongue connection 14, 15 is now explained more precisely by way of FIGS. 4a to 9. In FIG. 4a and the associated sectional representation 4b, the nozzle head 3 is located in its mounted position in the interior 8. In FIGS. 5a and 5b, a cover 17, which covers the nozzle head 3 at the front side, is removed and the nozzle head 3 is accessible to the installer. The accessibility is shown more precisely in FIG. 6. Proceeding from FIG. 6, the installer is able to pivot the nozzle head 3 about the centre axis M out of its initial position. FIG. 7 shows the nozzle head 3 in a pivot position. It can be recognized that the nozzle head 3 has been easily moved out of the interior 8 and that the tongue 15 is no longer completely engaged in the groove 14. When pivoted further about the centre axis M and, where applicable, subsequently displaced along the centre axis M, the nozzle head 3 is finally removed out of the interior 8, as is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Consequently, a mounted nozzle head 3 can be removed very simply out of the interior 8 of the pipe section 7.

(25) The assembly of the nozzle head 3 into the interior 8 of the pipe section 7 is effected in the reverse direction. In this case, the installer inserts the nozzle head 3 into the interior 8, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 8. As soon as the groove 14 and the tongue 15 form a connection, the nozzle head 3 can be pivoted about its centre axis M, as is shown in FIG. 7. As a result, the nozzle head 3 is then moved into its end position, which is shown in FIG. 6. The cover 17 is then subsequently also mounted, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, such that the nozzle head 3 is not visible from the front.

(26) The nozzle head 3 can be provided with an optional slot 44 at the front side such that if there is serious calcification between the nozzle head 3 and the interior 8 of the nozzle head 3, the nozzle head 3 is pivotable using a screwdriver.

(27) The groove and tongue connection 14, 15 also provides the alignment element 13 in the embodiment shown in the Figures. To this end, the groove and tongue connection 14, 15 comprises an end stop, the tongue abutting against a groove end and a further rotation not being possible.

(28) However, the groove and tongue connection 14, 15 can also be formed in such a manner that when the nozzle head 3 is rotated about the centre axis M, no movement is effected in the direction of the centre axis M. The nozzle head 3 is then formed as a bayonet closure.

(29) The said cover 17 is in connection with the pipe section 7. The pipe section 7 comprises a latching element 37, on which the cover 17 can be latched, for this purpose in the region of the flange 35. As an alternative to this, the cover can also be fastened on the nozzle head 3, a latching connection also being provided between the nozzle head 3 and the cover 17.

(30) As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 17 is arranged in such a manner, in this case, that, in the connected state, in the region of the nozzle outlet 6 it maintains an interspace 18 through which the water from the nozzle outlet 6 is suppliable to the sanitary article. The interspace 18 is provided here by the cover 17 and by the collecting basin 33 of the sanitary article 2. The cover 17 comprises a recess 38 on its circumferential edge for providing the interspace 18.

(31) FIGS. 10 to 12, as explained above, show the second embodiment of the spray nozzle 1. The spray nozzle 1 according to the second embodiment includes substantially the same elements as the spray nozzle 1 according to the first embodiment, wherein essentially the securing element 12 is formed in a different manner. The securing element 12 of the spray nozzle 1 according to the second embodiment is a cover 17. This means that the cover 17 provides the securing element for the nozzle head 3 such that it cannot fall out of the interior 8. The cover 17 is connectable to the pipe section 7 by means of a latching connection 37 in such a manner that the cover 17 projects over the outlet 11 of the pipe section 7. As a result, the cover 17 provides the nozzle head 3 with a stop with reference to a movement out of the interior 8. The action of the cover 17 as a stop can easily be seen in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows that the nozzle head 3 abuts against the inside surface 40 of the cover 17 by way of its front surface 32. The inside surface 40 and the front surface 32 therefore provide the actual stop.

(32) A spring element 19 is arranged between the inlet of the pipe section 7 and the nozzle head 3 according to the second embodiment. The spring element 19 presses the nozzle head 3 in the direction of the cover 17 such that the position of the nozzle head 3 within the pipe section 7 when viewed along the centre axis M is defined. The spring element 19 here is a compression spring 20 which presses onto the rear edge 41 of the nozzle head 3 and abuts against the water pipe 10. The spring element could also abut against an elevation which extends into the interior 8 instead of the water pipe 10. The spring element includes, as already mentioned, a compression spring 20 which comprises a front end 21 and a rear end 22. The spring element 19 here further includes a guide part 23 which is in connection with the front end 21 and a guide part 24 which is in connection with the rear end 22. The guide parts provide good guidance and delimit the spring deflection of the spring 20 inside the interior 8. The spring 20 is arranged in the interior 8 in such a manner that it is flowed through or flowed around correspondingly by the flushing water. FIG. 17 shows that the guide part 24 can abut against an inside surface 42 of the interior and consequently the spring element is prevented from being removed out of the interior when the nozzle head 3 is exchanged.

(33) The cover 17 comprises an inside surface 40, as is shown in FIG. 12. The inside surface 40 not only serves as a stop surface but can also have the function of a guide surface. The guide surface is formed in portions inclined at an angle with respect to the centre axis M and ensures that the nozzle head 3 is inserted into the interior 8 against the spring force of the compression spring 20 when the cover 17 is mounted along a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the centre axis M. In this respect, the guide surface is an aid during assembly. In the present exemplary embodiment, the guide surface 40 is located with reference to the recess 43 such that, during assembly, the front surface 32 comes into contact with the guide surface 40 first of all and only then moves into the recess 43.

(34) FIGS. 13 to 18 then show the disassembly of the nozzle head 3 according to the second embodiment. In a first step, as shown in FIGS. 13a to 14b, the cover 17, in the form of the securing element 12, is separated from the pipe section 7. In this connection, the latching connection between the cover 17 and the pipe section 7 is correspondingly lifted. Said lifted latching connection is shown in FIG. 15. As soon as the latching connection is lifted completely, the spring force of the spring element 19 presses the nozzle head 3 out of the interior 8 in the direction of the outlet 11 thereof. Consequently, the sanitary installer is able to take hold of the nozzle head 3 and remove it completely out of the interior 8.

(35) The alignment element 13 according to the second embodiment is provided by a groove in the interior 8 and by a tongue on the lateral surface 31 of the nozzle head. The groove and tongue are oriented parallel to the centre axis M.

(36) The assembly of the nozzle head 3 according to the second embodiment is effected in the reverse order to the disassembly just described. FIG. 18 shows the insertion of the nozzle head 3. The nozzle head 3 according to FIGS. 17 to 15 is then pushed further into the interior 8. The cover 17 can be used as an aid to this end. The cover 17 is then displaced relative to the pipe section 7, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 13, until the cover 17 forms a latching connection with the pipe section 7.

(37) It can additionally be seen from FIG. 17 that along with the angular inclination, the guide surface includes another recess 43 into which the front surface 32 of the nozzle head 3 can project in a suitably fitting manner.

(38) A few further features of the spray nozzle 1 according to the two described embodiments are now subsequently explained.

(39) The pipe section 7, as shown in FIG. 2, preferably in both embodiments, includes orientation elements 25 on the outside. The pipe section 7 as such can be aligned relative to the sanitary article 2 by means of said orientation elements 25. In a preferred manner, the orientation elements 25 are grooves which extend in the direction of the centre axis M. The sanitary article 2 comprises corresponding counter elements which engage in the grooves. The orientation elements 25 can, however, also be formed differently.

(40) It can easily be seen from the sectional representations of FIGS. 3 and 12 that a seal 28, which seals the gap 26 with respect to water, is arranged in the gap 26 between the outside surface 27 of the nozzle head 3 and the interior 8. The seal 28 is preferably an O-ring seal and prevents water being able to emerge through the gap between the outside surface 27 of the nozzle head 3 and the interior 8.

(41) In addition, the path of the water is explained even more precisely by way of FIGS. 3 and 12. The water enters the interior 8 of the pipe section 7 by means of the water pipe 10. From the interior 8, the water then enters into the nozzle channel 4 of the nozzle head 3 by means of the nozzle inlet 5 and then flows along the nozzle channel 4 as far as the nozzle outlet 6, from where it then leaves the nozzle head 3 and consequently also the spray nozzle 1 in the direction of the sanitary article 2.

(42) The nozzle head 3, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, is formed in multiple parts and has a nozzle part 29 with the nozzle outlet 6 and a bearing part 30 with the nozzle inlet 5. The nozzle part 29 and the bearing part 30, in this case, are fixedly connected with each other. The nozzle channel 6 extends through the nozzle part 29 and the bearing part 30. A seal 39 is also arranged here between the two parts 29, 30. In an alternative embodiment, the nozzle head 3 can also be formed in one-piece.

(43) With reference to its shape, the nozzle head 3, irrespective of whether it is formed in one-piece or in multiple parts, comprises a lateral surface 31, which extends around the centre axis M, and a front surface 32. The lateral surface 31 and the front surface 32, in this case, delimit the nozzle channel 4. The nozzle inlet 5, in this case, is arranged opposite the front surface 32 and the nozzle outlet 6 is arranged in the region of the front surface 32. The nozzle outlet 6 penetrates the lateral surface 31 close to the front surface 32.

(44) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, the nozzle outlet 6 does not extend completely around the centre axis M, but only partially. In a particularly preferred manner, the nozzle outlet 6 comprises an opening angle of a maximum of 180, in particular a maximum of 160. In other words, this means that the nozzle outlet 6 does not completely extend all round the centre axis M, but only partially round it.

(45) The nozzle body 3 is arranged with reference to the sanitary fitting in such a manner that the nozzle outlet 6 is oriented downwards, that is into the collecting basin 33.

(46) The cross section of the nozzle outlet 6 can be variable or constant over the circumference. From the embodiment shown, the cross section is minimal in the region of the centre of the nozzle outlet 6 and then becomes larger toward the ends of the nozzle outlet 6.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(47) 1 Spray nozzle

(48) 2 Sanitary article

(49) 3 Nozzle head

(50) 4 Nozzle channel

(51) 5 Nozzle inlet

(52) 6 Nozzle outlet

(53) 7 Pipe section

(54) 8 Interior

(55) 9 Inlet

(56) 10 Water pipe

(57) 11 Outlet

(58) 12 Securing element

(59) 13 Alignment element

(60) 14 Groove

(61) 15 Tongue

(62) 16 Part portion

(63) 17 Cover

(64) 18 Interspace

(65) 19 Spring element

(66) 20 Compression spring

(67) 21 Front end

(68) 22 Rear end

(69) 23 Guide part

(70) 24 Guide part

(71) 25 Orientation element

(72) 26 Gap

(73) 27 Outside surface

(74) 28 Seal

(75) 29 Nozzle part

(76) 30 Bearing part

(77) 31 Lateral surface

(78) 32 Front surface

(79) 33 Collecting basin

(80) 34 Flange

(81) 35 Cap nut

(82) 36 Cap nut

(83) 37 Latching connection

(84) 38 Recess

(85) 39 Seal

(86) 40 Inside surface

(87) 41 Rear edge

(88) 42 Inside surface

(89) 43 Recess

(90) 44 Slot

(91) A Axial displacement

(92) A Axial displacement

(93) M Centre axis