Jet regulator with a tube receptacle

Abstract

In the case of a sanitary fixture with a jet and/or flow regulator unit, it is proposed forming, on the inlet opening on the inflow side, a tube receptacle to which a connecting tube can be connected with a push fit. A fastening means with which the connecting tube, which is connected with a push fit, can be fastened in, and can be released from, the tube receptacle is arranged on a basic body forming the tube receptacle.

Claims

1. A sanitary fixture (1) comprising: a) a basic body (4) which is insertable into an outlet opening (2) of a sanitary fitting (3); b) an inlet opening (5) formed on the inflow side of the basic body (4), on which a tube mount (8) is formed, on which a connecting tube (9) is connectable to the basic body (4); c) a jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit (7) arranged on the basic body (4) downstream of the inlet opening (5) in a flow path (6); and having d) a fastener (10) which is configured for tension-resistant fastening of the connecting tube (9) on the basic body (4) and by way of which the connecting tube (9) is non-detachably fastenable to the basic body (4), wherein the connecting tube (9) is plug-connectable to the tube mount (8) and to this end is capable of being plugged into the tube mount (8) which is configured as a recess, and wherein the connecting tube is lockable or securable in the tube mount (8) by the fastener (10), such that the connecting tube (9) is non-detachably fastened to the basic body (4), the tube mount (8) is integrally formed on the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit (7) and in that the basic body (4) is configured in a monolithic manner.

2. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener (10) is designed for fastening a plug-connectable connecting tube (9) to the basic body (4) in a releasable and/or tension-resistant manner.

3. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener (10) is arranged on the basic body (4) so as to be rotatable about a connecting direction (11).

4. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener (10) is formed so as to extend in an annular or sleeve-like manner about a connecting direction (11) defined by the tube mount (8).

5. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener (10) is formed so as to be switchable between a position in which the fastener (10) locks a connecting tube (9) attached to the tube mount (8) and a position in which the fastener (10) releases the connecting tube (9), and/or in that the fastener (10) is arranged so as to be movable in a connecting direction (11) defined by the tube mount (8).

6. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener (10) has at least one retaining element (12), that projects into the tube mount (8), and/or in that the at least one retaining element (12) is in the form of a barb.

7. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one retaining element (12) is formed on an elastically deformable, preferably axially extending, retaining finger (13).

8. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic body (4) is formed from plastics material.

9. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit (7) is screwed into the basic body (4), and/or in that the basic body (4) is designed to be clipped into and/or snap-connected or connected by latching to an outlet opening (2) of a sanitary fitting (3).

10. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a seal (14) that extends in an annular manner around the tube mount (8) or a connecting direction (11) defined by the tube mount (8) is formed in the tube mount (8), and an inside diameter of the seal (14) is coordinated with a clear width of the fastening element (10).

11. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locking ring (15) is formed with an inclined face (16) on the inner side, in particular an inner cone, said inclined face (16) interacting in the or a locking position with the or a lug (17) of the fastening means (10), said lug (17) protruding radially outwards, and the locking ring (15) is retained on the basic body (4) by way of a latching connection (18).

12. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first inner cylindrical portion (19) is formed in the tube mount (8) at an axial end facing the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit (7), and/or in that an inside radius of the first inner cylindrical portion (19) is selected to be larger than an inside radius of the seal (14).

13. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second inner cylindrical portion (20) that is mounted upstream of a first inner cylindrical portion (19) or the first inner cylindrical portion (19) in the or a plug-in direction, is formed in the tube mount (8), and/or in that a difference between a second inside radius of the second inner cylindrical portion (20) and the or a first inside radius of the first inner cylindrical portion (19) is selected to be smaller than a radial material thickness of the seal (14).

14. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the basic body (4) is designed without a thread on the outside.

15. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a radially protruding stop element (22) is formed on the outside of the sanitary fixture (1).

16. The sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit (7) has at least one splitter plate (26) connected integrally to the basic body (4).

17. A fixture arrangement (32) having a connecting tube (9) that is fittable in a sanitary fitting (3), and a sanitary fixture (1) as claimed in claim 1.

18. The fixture arrangement (32) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the connecting tube (9) is plug-connected to the sanitary fixture (1), and the connecting tube (9) has at least one variable-length axial portion (30) that is folded in the manner of a bellows.

19. The fixture arrangement (32) as claimed in claim 17, wherein markings (37) are applied, at regular intervals, to the connecting tube (9), said markings indicating a length of the tube mount (8).

20. A sanitary fitting (3) having a fitting body (28) and a fixture arrangement (32), as claimed in claim 17, wherein the fixture arrangement (32) is inserted into the fitting body (28).

21. The sanitary fitting as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one axial portion (30) of the connecting tube (9) is arranged so as to be movable in an extension direction in the sanitary fitting (3), and/or the basic body (4) is connected detachably to the fitting body (28) and/or is retained on the fitting body (28) by way of the connecting tube (9).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1: shows a partly sectional side view of a sanitary fixture according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2: shows a view onto the outflow opening of the sanitary fixture according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3: shows a three-dimensional oblique view of the sanitary fixture of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4: shows an exploded view of the sanitary fixture according to FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5: shows part of a triple-aperture sanitary fitting according to the invention in a partly sectional illustration;

(7) FIG. 6: shows the sanitary fitting according to FIG. 5, with the sanitary fixture having been pulled out;

(8) FIG. 7: shows a further view of the sanitary fitting as according to the invention per FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8: shows the sanitary fitting according to FIG. 6, with the sanitary fixture having been inserted into the outlet of the sanitary fitting;

(10) FIG. 9: shows a further view of the arrangement according to FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10: shows a connecting tube according to the invention with axial portions folded in the manner of a bellows; and

(12) FIG. 11: shows the connecting tube according to the invention with reduced overall length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) An inlet opening 5 is configured on the inflow side of the basic body 4, that is to say that side which during operation is exposed to the inflowing water.

(14) A jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit 7 is configured on the basic body 4, downstream of the inlet opening 5 in the flow direction of a flow path 6.

(15) In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit 7 is illustrated as a jet regulator. Other functions, for example a flow regulator unit, are implemented in further exemplary embodiments.

(16) A tube mount 8 is configured on the inlet opening 5.

(17) The tube mount 8 is adapted so as to receive a connecting tube 9 (cf. FIGS. 5 to 9).

(18) A fastening means 10 is configured on and fitted to the basic body 3.

(19) A connecting tube 9, which is plug-connected to the tube mount 8, is fastenable by way of the fastening means 10.

(20) As will be discussed in more detail hereunder, the fastening means 10 is adapted such that the connecting tube 9, which is plug-connected, is lockable or securable in the tube mount 8, such that the connecting tube 9 is non-detachably fastenable to the basic body 4.

(21) On account of this fastening, the connecting tube 9 is fastenable in a tension-resistant manner, so as to absorb water pressure in the connecting tube 9 by way of the basic body 4.

(22) The fastening means 10 here is configured for releasable fastening, such that the connecting tube 9 is releasable for removal.

(23) It is evident in FIG. 1 that the tube mount 8 is configured as a recess.

(24) The connecting tube 9 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 is thus capable of being plugged into the tube mount 8.

(25) In further exemplary embodiments the tube mount 8 may also be configured as a tube connector or a spout, the connecting tube 9 being plug-connectable to the tube mount 8.

(26) It is evident in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 that the fastening means 10 is configured so as to be annular or sleeve-shaped.

(27) The tube mount 8 defines a connecting direction 11 in which the connecting tube 9 is plug-connected and released. The annular or sleeve-shaped fastening means 10 is configured so as to encircle this connecting direction 11.

(28) The fastening means 10 thus radially delimits the tube mount 8 in relation to the outside.

(29) In this description the terms radial, circumferential direction, and axial are used in relation to the longitudinal axis of the sanitary fixture 1.

(30) The fastening means 10 is arranged on the basic body 4 so as to be rotatable about the connecting direction 11. Rotating the basic body 4 about the connecting direction 11 thus does not lead to entrained rotation of a connecting tube 9 which is plug-connected thereto.

(31) In order to be locked or released, respectively, the fastening means 10 is arranged on the basic body 4 so as to be axially displaceable.

(32) On account thereof, the fastening means 10 may be switched between a locking position, in which the connecting tube 9, which is plug-connected, is non-detachably fastened to the basic body 4, and a releasing position, in which the connecting tube 9 is removable from the tube mount 8.

(33) In order for the plugged-in connecting tube 9 to be fastened, the fastening means 10 has a plurality of retaining elements 12, for example four or more than four retaining elements 12, which as a retaining claw or as a retaining edge in each case form a barb and interlock with the inserted connecting tube 9.

(34) FIG. 1 shows the retaining element 12 as a retaining edge.

(35) These retaining elements 12 are in each case configured on the inner side on a retaining finger 13 and project into the tube mount 8.

(36) The retaining fingers 13 extend in an axial manner and are elastically deformable.

(37) The retaining fingers 13 may thus be radially impinged from the outside, so as to impress the retaining elements 12 into a plugged-in connecting tube 9, on account of which this connecting tube 9 is retained in a tension-resistant manner.

(38) However, if in contrast the retaining fingers 13 are radially moved to the outside, the connection between the retaining elements 12 and the plugged-in connecting tube 9 is released, such that the connecting tube 9 is removable from the tube mount 8.

(39) It is evident in FIG. 1 that the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit 7 is integrally formed on the basic body 4 at an axial end of the tube mount 8.

(40) The basic body 4 here is formed integrally from plastics material.

(41) A seal 14 is inserted into the tube mount 8. The seal 14 encircles the connecting direction 11 in an annular manner and thus encompasses a connecting tube 9 which is inserted into the tube mount 8.

(42) To this end, the inside diameter of the seal 14 is coordinated with the clear width of the fastening element 10 in such a manner that a connecting tube 9 which is still just about insertable through the fastening element 10 tightly bears on the seal 14.

(43) A locking ring 15, by way of which the fastening means 10 is lockable, is inserted between the fastening means 10 and the basic body 4.

(44) To this end, the locking ring 15 has an internal inclined face 16, for example an inner cone. The inclined face 16 interacts with an external lug 17 on each retaining finger 13 of the fastening means 10 in such a manner that in the case of relative displacement of the fastening means 10 toward the locking ring 15, the retaining element 12 of each retaining finger 13 is pressed inward into the tube mount, toward the connecting tube 9. This connection may be released again by moving the fastening means 10 in the opposite direction. To this end, protrusions by way of which the retaining fingers 12 are able to be raised from the connecting tube may be configured on the basic body.

(45) The locking ring 15 is fastened in the basic body 4 by way of a latching connection 18.

(46) On account of the bipartite configuration of the basic body 4 and the locking ring 15, the locking ring 15 may be inserted once the seal 14 has been inserted into the tube mount 8.

(47) A first inner cylindrical portion 19 is configured in the tube mount 8 at that axial end that faces the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit 7.

(48) This first inner cylindrical portion 19 has an inside radius which is tuned in such a manner to the external radius of a plug-connectable connecting tube 9 that the connecting tube 9 is plug-connectable into the first inner cylindrical portion 19.

(49) The inside radius of the first inner cylindrical portion 19 is thus selected to be slightly larger than the inside radius of the seal 14. A connecting tube 9 is thus capable of being plugged into the first inner cylindrical portion 19 which supplants the seal 14 in a radial outward manner and presses the latter against a second inner cylindrical portion 20.

(50) This second inner cylindrical portion 20 in the plug-in direction of the tube mount 8 is upstream of the first inner cylindrical portion 19 and of the seal 14.

(51) The second inner cylindrical portion 20 receives the seal 14 and has a second inside radius which is tuned in such a manner to the first inside radius of the first inner cylindrical portion 19 and to the radial material thickness of the seal 14 that the connecting tube 9 not only radially outwardly supplants the seal 14, but that the seal 14 between the plugged-in connecting tube 9 and the second inside radius 20 forms a tight termination in relation to the outside.

(52) To this end, the difference between the second inside radius of the second inner cylindrical portion 20 and the first inside radius of the first inner cylindrical portion 19 is selected to be smaller than the radial material thickness of the seal 14.

(53) It is evident in FIG. 3 that the basic body 4 is externally configured so as to be smooth and, in particular, without a thread.

(54) In order to prevent that, on account of the recoil of the water exiting from the outflow opening 21, the basic body 4 is completely pushed into the outlet opening 2 of the sanitary fitting 3, a stop element 22 which retains the sanitary fixture 1 on the outlet opening 2 is configured on the sanitary fixture 1.

(55) The stop element 22 here is configured on the sanitary fixture 1 so as to radially protrude in an outward manner, and surrounds the sanitary fixture 1 in an annular manner.

(56) The stop element 22 here is configured on a sleeve attachment 23 which is connected to the basic body 4 by way of a latching connection.

(57) The sleeve attachment 23 may also be connected to the basic body 4 so as to be monolithic therewith. The bipartite embodiment shown of the sleeve attachment 23 and the basic body 4 serves for the insertion of an insert 24 which provides an impact face 25 which is annularly encircling and conically tapers in the flow direction of the flow path 6.

(58) This impact face 25 interacts with a splitter plate 26 of the jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit 7, so as to nebulize the jet, in a manner which is known per se from a jet regulator.

(59) The splitter plate 26 is configured so as to be monolithic with the basic body 4, so as to absorb the internal water pressure in a connecting tube 9 which is inserted into the tube mount 8.

(60) Finally, a mesh attachment 27 is attached at the rearmost point in the flow path 6.

(61) The mesh attachment 27 defines the outflow opening 21.

(62) FIG. 5 shows the sanitary fixture 1 according to the invention, in a fitted position in a sanitary fitting 3.

(63) The sanitary fitting here is shown in an exemplary manner as a triple-aperture fitting, the associated valves not being illustrated for the sake of simplicity.

(64) It is evident that the fitting body 28 may be configured having a comparatively thin material thickness, since the water pressure is absorbed by way of the connecting tube 9 which is arranged as an internal tube in the fitting body 28.

(65) The sanitary fixture 1 together with the connecting tube 9 forms a fixture arrangement 32 which is fitted to the fitting body 28.

(66) In order for the sanitary fixture 1 to be removed from the outlet opening 2, either the connecting tube 9 below the table 29 may be displaced in an upward manner, or the stop element 22 which slightly protrudes over the fitting body 28, may be gripped.

(67) Alternatively, the stop element 22 may also be configured as a shoulder on an outer cylindrical portion.

(68) FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show the sanitary fixture 1 in a non-detachably fastened position on the connecting tube 9, once it has been pulled out of the outlet opening 2 of the fitting body 28.

(69) If and when the fastening means 10 is pushed toward the basic body 4, the connection between the retaining elements 12 and the external face of the connecting tube 9 is released.

(70) The sanitary fixture 1 may now be removed and replaced.

(71) A new sanitary fixture 1 may be attached onto the now unoccupied connecting tube 9 and reinserted together with the connecting tube 9 into the outlet opening 2.

(72) The arrangement according to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 then arises.

(73) FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a design embodiment of the connecting tube 9, which may be employed, for example, when the connecting tube 9 cannot be displaced in an upward manner below the table 29.

(74) Regularly spaced axial portions 30 which are length-variable are configured in this connecting tube 9.

(75) FIG. 10 shows the connecting tube having extended axial portions 30; FIG. 11 shows the same connecting tube 9 having compressed axial portions 30.

(76) The axial portions 30 here are folded in the manner of a bellows. As is evident in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the axial portions in the cross section have a wall with a zigzag profile.

(77) On account of the regular arrangement of the axial portions 30, that is to say on account of the arrangement of the axial portions 30 at uniform spacing to the respectively adjacent axial portion 30, it is ensured that, independently of the used length of the connecting tube 9, axial portions 30 are available to enable variation of the length for the sanitary fixture 1 to be pulled out of the outlet opening 2.

(78) In this way, the sanitary fixture 1 according to the invention may also be employed in a single-aperture fitting.

(79) The transitions between the axial portions 30 and the smooth tube portions 38 form markings 37. The length of the smooth tube portions 38 is in each case selected so as to be equal to the length of the tube mount 8. In other words, the markings 37 on the connecting tube 9 indicate a length of the tube mount 8.

(80) A user thus may readily identify by way of a connecting tube 9 which has been cut off at a marking 37 how far the connecting tube 9 has to be plugged into the tube mount 8 so that the end of the connecting tube 9 fills the tube mount 8.

(81) In further exemplary embodiments the markings 37 are configured on a connecting tube 9 which has no bellows-type axial portions and is not variable in length.

(82) It is furthermore evident from the drawings according to FIGS. 6 and 7 that no further measures are required at the outlet opening 2 in order for the sanitary fixture 1 to be retained.

(83) The sanitary fixture 1 is thus detachably arranged on the fitting body 28 and is retained on account of the recoil force of the water exiting at the outflow opening 21.

(84) In order for the sanitary fixture to be retained in the outlet opening 2 in a friction-fitting manner, a retaining ring 31 is externally provided on the basic body 4.

(85) Components and functional units which in terms of function and/or construction are identical to the preceding exemplary embodiments or have the same effect as the latter, are identified using the same reference signs and are not separately described again.

(86) In FIGS. 1 to 11, in order for the invention to be described, the sanitary fitting 3 is configured in an exemplary manner as a component part of a vanity fitting. This is a preferred application of the sanitary fixture 1.

(87) In further exemplary embodiments, the sanitary fitting 3 is configured as a shower head, for example to be fitted on a wall, a ceiling and/or a table, or as a hand-held shower head, or as an upwardly directed shower head, in particular of a bidet or of a washbowl, having a sanitary fixture 1 according to the invention.

(88) By way of the sanitary fixture 1 having a jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit 7 it is proposed that a tube mount 8, by way of which a connecting tube 9 is plug-connectable, is configured on the inflow side of the inlet opening 5, wherein a fastening means 10 by way of which the connecting tube 9 which is plug-connected is fastenable and releasable in the tube mount 8 is arranged on a basic body 4 which forms the tube mount 8.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(89) 1 Sanitary fixture 2 Outlet opening 3 Sanitary fitting 4 Basic body 5 Inlet opening 6 Flow path 7 Jet regulator unit and/or flow regulator unit 8 Tube mount 9 Connecting tube 10 Fastening means 11 Connecting direction 12 Retaining element 13 Retaining finger 14 Seal 15 Locking ring 16 Inclined face 17 Lug 18 Latching connection 19 First inner cylindrical portion 20 Second inner cylindrical portion 21 Outflow opening 22 Stop element 23 Sleeve attachment 24 Insert 25 Impact face 26 Splitter plate 27 Mesh attachment 28 Fitting body 29 Table 30 Axial portions 31 Retaining ring 32 Fixture arrangement 33 Receptacle 34 Internal thread 35 Anti-rotation lock 36 Clip element 37 Marking 38 Smooth tube portion