MOUNTING DEVICE FOR A SANITARY BASIN AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SANITARY BASIN

[0001]The invention relates to a mounting device for a sanitary basin, preferably a sink, washbasin or the like, for provision in a holding device along an installation direction.

[0002]The invention also relates to a method for providing a sanitary basin in a holding device along an installation direction by means of a mounting device.

[0003]Sanitary basins, especially large sanitary basins, can have shape deviations that occur during the manufacturing process. Such shape deviations occur particularly frequently in sanitary basins made of composite materials, as such sanitary basins are subject to stresses caused by changing temperatures during the manufacturing process, especially during the shaping process. During the cooling process, shape deviations can occur due to temperature-related distortion. The side walls of the sanitary basins in particular can bulge outwards or inwards. Such deviations in shape can impair the aesthetics and functionality of the sanitary basin, which is why they must be reduced during installation in a designated holding device.

[0004]DE 10 2019 201 198 A1 discloses a mounting device for an installation element, in particular a sink, washbasin or the like, for insertion into a holding device in an installation direction. The mounting device is used to fix the installation element in the holding device. The problem here is that this mounting device is not suitable for reducing shape deviations of the installation element.

[0005]One goal of the present invention is therefore to provide a mounting device and a method for providing a sanitary basin in a holding device, which make it possible to reduce shape deviations of the sanitary basin by simple design means.

[0006]A further goal of the present invention is to provide an alternative mounting device and an alternative method for providing a sanitary basin in a holding device. In one embodiment, the present invention solves the above-mentioned goals with a mounting device for a sanitary basin, preferably a sink, a washbasin or the like, for provision in a receiving device along an installation direction, comprising at least one adjusting device with at least one adjusting element, wherein the at least one adjusting device interacts with a first connecting section of the sanitary basin and with a second connecting section of the holding device by means of the at least one adjusting element in such a way that a relative position of at least a part of the sanitary basin, in particular a side wall of the sanitary basin, and of the holding device can be adjusted relative to one another in an adjustment direction transverse to the installation direction, wherein a compressive force and/or a tensile force can be applied to the sanitary basin in the adjustment direction by means of the at least one adjusting device.

[0013]One of the advantages achieved by this is that the shape deviations of the sanitary basin can be reduced particularly easily by applying a local pressure and/or tensile force in the adjustment direction transverse to the installation direction using the at least one adjusting device. The relative position of at least one part of the sanitary basin and the holding device can be adjusted in relation to each other in such a way that the side wall has a desired target contour in the set state. This ensures that the sanitary basin functions properly. This also ensures that any accessories for the sanitary basin will fit. The holding device is used to absorb the reaction force associated with the compressive and/or tensile force and divert it into a base cabinet and/or worktop, for example. It is conceivable that the holding device comprises the base cabinet and/or the worktop itself.

[0014]One or more adjusting devices, for example along a side wall of the sanitary basin, can be positioned in such a way that as few adjusting devices as possible are required to reduce the shape deviation. In this way, a cost-effective mounting device can be provided that enables a short assembly time.

[0015]The expression “adjustment direction transverse to the installation direction” is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to a direction in which the compressive and/or tensile force acts, wherein the direction has at least one directional component perpendicular to the installation direction. An angle formed by the installation direction and the adjustment direction can be between 45° and 135°, preferably between 65° and 115°, more preferably 90°.

[0016]Further features, advantages, and further embodiments of the invention are described below or are disclosed thereby.

[0017]According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first connecting section has a pressure contact surface, preferably facing away from the interior of the sanitary basin, for transmitting the pressure force and/or a tension contact surface, preferably facing towards the interior of the sanitary basin, for transmitting the tension force, which interacts with the at least one adjusting element. This ensures that the force is evenly distributed over the pressure and/or tension contact surface, thus avoiding stress concentrations. Power transmission through contact also enables particularly fast installation. In addition, a space-saving mounting device can be provided.

[0018]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding device has a base frame running around the sanitary basin in the installed state, wherein the second connecting section is assigned to the base frame, preferably wherein the base frame can be arranged below a worktop. One of the advantages of this is that it provides a structure for absorbing the reaction forces in a simple way.

[0019]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the base frame is at least partially made of wood and/or plastic and/or metal. The advantage of a base frame comprising wood is that the base frame is particularly easy to manufacture and inexpensive. A base frame comprising plastic is particularly light and therefore easy to install. Metal can be used to provide a base frame with high rigidity and load-bearing capacity.

[0020]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjusting element is preferably detachably connected to the first connecting section and/or the second connecting section. One of the advantages of this is that the mounting device can be quickly and easily dismantled once the sanitary basin has been installed.

[0021]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjusting element comprises an external thread, preferably wherein the at least one adjusting element is designed as a cap screw, threaded bolt or grub screw. This means that at least one adjusting element can be moved easily and with high precision. In addition, a space-saving mounting device can be provided.

[0022]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and/or the second connecting section have at least one fastening element, wherein the at least one fastening element includes an internal thread corresponding to the external thread with an extension parallel to the adjustment direction and/or to the installation direction. The advantage of this is that a particularly simple design is provided, wherein in particular reaction forces can be transferred directly via the internal thread of the at least one fastening element into at least one of the connecting sections.

[0023]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one fastening element comprises a cylindrical section having the internal thread, preferably wherein the cylindrical section can be arranged in a recess of the first or second connecting section, preferably wherein the at least one fastening element is designed as a drive-in nut. This allows the at least one fastening element to be positioned flexibly at a desired location during installation.

[0024]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one fastening element has a disk-shaped collar section, which can preferably be fixed to the first or second connecting section by means of a screw and/or adhesive connection. The advantage of this is that reaction forces can be transferred evenly and reliably across the contact surface between the collar section and one of the connecting sections. In addition, a space-saving mounting device can be provided.

[0025]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjusting element has a head, in particular a disk-shaped head, at an end assigned to the first connecting section, wherein the head interacts with the first connecting section to adjust the relative position. This enables particularly quick and easy installation of at least one adjusting element.

[0026]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and/or the second connecting section has a tab with a passage for inserting the at least one adjusting element, in particular wherein the tab comprises the tension contact surface. One of the advantages of this is that a secure and simple connection of the at least one adjusting element to the first and/or second connecting section is provided. It is conceivable that the tab is designed as a separate component, preferably wherein the tab is fixed to the first and/or second connecting section by a material connection, in particular an adhesive connection. Alternatively, the tab can be formed in one piece with the first and/or second connecting section.

[0027]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the passage for suspending the sanitary basin is open on one side. One of the advantages of this is that the sanitary basin can be installed quickly.

[0028]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjusting device has at least one further adjusting element, in particular comprising a claw, wherein the at least one further adjusting element can be displaced by means of the at least one adjusting element in at least one direction with a directional component along and/or against the adjusting direction in such a way that the at least one further adjusting element can be brought into an operative connection transmitting the compressive and/or tensile force with the first and/or second connecting portion, in particular the base frame. The advantage of this is that a high degree of flexibility is provided in the design of the mounting device.

[0029]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and/or the second connecting section has at least one guide surface, wherein the at least one further adjusting element can be displaced along the at least one guide surface. This makes it particularly easy to move the at least one further adjusting element in the direction with a directional component in and/or against the adjustment direction. A cost-effective mounting device is also provided.

[0030]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one further adjusting element can be fixed, in particular detachably, to at least one of the connecting sections. This prevents the at least one further adjusting element from slipping during the installation process. This means that a particularly secure mounting device can also be provided.

[0031]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one further adjusting element has at least two partial sections connected to one another in an articulated manner. The advantage of this is that movements of the additional adjusting element and the forces acting on it can be transmitted with particular precision.

[0032]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjusting element comprises a telescopic element, in particular a telescopic rod, which can be arranged along the adjusting direction. This makes it possible to provide a particularly simple and cost-effective mounting device.

[0033]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjusting element comprises a mounting cushion that can be filled with a medium, preferably air. The advantage of this is that the relative position can be adjusted continuously and with high precision.

[0034]According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a change in the relative position, in particular a change in shape, of at least a part of the sanitary basin in the direction of the tensile and/or compressive force is greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm, in particular greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm. This makes it possible to reduce the shape deviations sufficiently and at the same time provide a space-saving mounting device.

[0035]Further important features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the sub-claims, from the drawings, and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

[0036]It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0037]Preferred embodiments and forms of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference signs refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

The schematic diagram shows

[0038]FIG. 1A sanitary basin with deviations in shape in a plan view;

[0039]FIG. 2 Another sanitary basin with deviations in shape in a plan view;

[0040]FIG. 3A mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a spatial, sectional view;

[0041]FIG. 4 The mounting device according to the embodiment in FIG. 3 in a further spatial, sectional view;

[0042]FIG. 5A spatial view of a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 6A mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a spatial, sectional view;

[0044]FIG. 7 The mounting device according to the embodiment in FIG. 6 in a further spatial, sectional view;

[0045]FIG. 8 The mounting device according to the embodiment in FIG. 6 in a further spatial, sectional view;

[0046]FIG. 9A sectional view of a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 10 Steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

[0048]FIG. 11-14 A spatial view of states during the process according to the embodiment in FIG. 10.

[0049]FIG. 1 shows a sanitary basin with deviations in shape in a plan view. FIG. 1 shows a sanitary basin 1 with a rectangular base 2. The two long side walls 3 have deviations in shape 4 with outward curvatures. The deviations in shape 4 are maximally pronounced in the middle of the long side walls 3 and in the area of an upper edge 5 of the long side walls 3. Such deviations in shape 4 can occur during the manufacturing process, particularly with plastic sanitary basins 1. In order to reduce the deviations in shape 4, a force 8, in particular a compressive force 8a acting on an outer side 7 (see FIG. 3) of the side walls 3, can be applied in an adjustment direction 9 in a center of the long side walls 3 during assembly of the sanitary basin 1 with the aid of the mounting device 6 (see FIG. 3). The adjustment direction 9 runs inwards in relation to the sanitary basin 1.

[0050]FIG. 2 shows a plan view of another sanitary basin with deviations in shape.

[0051]In the sanitary basin 1 shown in FIG. 2, the long side walls 3 have deviations in shape 4 with inward curvatures. To reduce the deviations in shape 4, a force 8, in particular a tensile force 8b acting on an outer side 7 (see FIG. 3) of the side walls 3, can be applied in an adjustment direction 9 in the middle of the long side walls 3 during assembly of the sanitary basin 1 using the mounting device 6 (see FIG. 3). The adjustment direction 9 runs outwards in relation to the sanitary basin 1.

[0052]FIG. 3 shows a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a spatial, sectional view before the actuation of the adjusting device and FIG. 4 shows the mounting device according to the embodiment in FIG. 3 in a further spatial, sectional view after the actuation of the adjusting device.

[0053]The mounting device 6 shown in FIG. 3 comprises an adjusting device 10 with an adjusting element 11 and a further adjusting element 12, wherein the adjusting device 10 interacts with a first connecting section 13a of the sanitary basin 1 and with a second connecting section 13b of a holding device 14 by means of the adjusting elements 11, 12 in such a way that a relative position of at least a part of the sanitary basin 1, in particular a side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1 and of the holding device 14 can be adjusted relative to one another in an adjustment direction 9 (see FIG. 4) transverse to an installation direction 15 (see FIG. 4). A compressive force 8a (see

[0054]FIG. 4) can be applied to the sanitary basin 1 in the adjustment direction 9 by means of the adjusting elements 11, 12.

[0055]The holding device 14 has a base frame 16 running around the sanitary basin 1 when installed, wherein the second connecting section 13b is assigned to the base frame 16. The base frame 16 is arranged below a worktop 17.

[0056]The adjusting element 11 is in the form of a cap screw 11a. For fixing the cap screw 11a, the first connecting section 13a has a fastening element 18, wherein the fastening element 18 comprises an internal thread (not shown) corresponding to the external thread 19 of the cap screw 11a with an extension parallel to the installation direction 15. The internal thread is cut and/or formed in particular when the cap screw 11a is screwed in. For this purpose, the cap screw 11a can be designed as a thread-rolling and/or thread-forming screw. The fastening element 18 is fixed in the area of an upper edge 5 of the side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1. For example, a screw connection, an adhesive connection, or a connection using one or more expansion elements is suitable for securing the fastening element 18.

[0057]The further adjusting element 12 comprises a claw 21 and can be displaced by means of the cap screw 11a in a direction 22 with a directional component 22a opposite the adjustment direction 9 in such a way that the further adjusting element 12 can be brought into an operative connection transmitting the compressive force 8a with the base frame 16 of the second connecting section 13b. The second connecting section 13b has a guide surface 23 along which the claw 21 of the further adjusting element 12 can be displaced.

[0058]The further adjusting element 12 also comprises an eyelet section for arranging the further adjustment element 12 below a head drive 25 of the cap screw 11a. If the cap screw 11a is screwed in, the other adjusting element 12 moves in the direction of screwing in. The claw 21 is displaced along the guide surface 23 in a direction 22 with a directional component 22a opposite the adjustment direction 9 (see FIG. 4). In other words, the claw 21 is deflected outwards in relation to the sanitary basin 1 and then engages in the base frame 16 so that the compressive force 8a acts on the side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1. The compressive force 8a is a force component of a total force 26 acting on the side wall 3. In FIG. 4, the mounting device 6 is shown in a state in which the further adjusting element 12 engages in the base frame 16.

[0059]FIG. 5 shows a spatial view of a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0060]The mounting device 6 shown in FIG. 5 has an adjusting element 9 and a fastening element 18. The adjusting element 9 comprises a threaded bolt 11b with a hexagon socket drive 27 arranged at one end and a disk-shaped head 28 with a rubber coating arranged at the other end. The adjusting element 9 can be detachably connected to the second connecting section 13b, in particular a base frame 16, via the fastening element 18. For this purpose, the fastening element 18 is designed as a drive-in nut 18a. The drive-in nut 18a has a cylindrical section 29 with an internal thread 20 (see FIG. 7), which corresponds to the external thread 19 of the threaded bolt 11b.

[0061]The cylindrical section 29 can be fixed in a recess 30 (see FIG. 6) of the second connecting section 13b. The fastening element 18 can be arranged in the base frame 16 in such a way that the internal thread 20 extends parallel to the adjustment direction 9. The adjusting element 11 can therefore also be arranged along the adjustment direction 9 and can be displaced in such a way that a compressive force 8a can be applied to the sanitary basin 1 in the adjustment direction 9 by means of the adjusting element 11. The pressure force 8a is transmitted to the sanitary basin 1 by the disk-shaped head 28 via a pressure contact surface 32 (see FIG. 6) of the first connecting section 13a facing away from an interior 31 of the sanitary basin 1.

[0062]FIG. 6 shows a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a spatial, sectional view. FIG. 7 shows the mounting device according to the embodiment in FIG. 6 in a further spatial, sectional view. FIG. 8 shows the mounting device according to the embodiment in FIG. 6 in a further spatial, sectional view.

[0063]The mounting device 6 has an adjusting device 10 with an adjusting element 11, which is designed as a threaded bolt 11b with a hexagon socket drive 27 arranged at one end and a disk-shaped head 28 arranged at the other end. The adjusting element 11 is detachably connected to a fastening element 18 fixed to the second connecting section 13b of a holding device 14. The fastening element 18 has a cylindrical section 29 with an internal thread 20 and a disk-shaped collar section 33. The cylindrical section 29 is arranged in a recess 30 of the second connecting section 13b. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the collar section 33 is fixed to the second connecting section 13b by means of a screw connection with several screws 34. The internal thread 20 and correspondingly the adjusting element 11 extend parallel to the adjustment direction 9.

[0064]The disk-shaped head 28 of the adjusting element 11 interacts with the first connecting section 13a for adjusting the relative position of a side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1 and the holding device 14 to one another in an adjustment direction 9 transverse to the installation direction 15. The first connecting section 13a has a pressure contact surface 32 facing away from an interior 31 of the sanitary basin 1 for transmitting the pressure force 8a and a tension contact surface 35 facing an interior 31 of the sanitary basin 1 for transmitting the tension force 8b. The first connecting section 13a of the sanitary basin 1 has a tab 36 with a passage 37 open on one side for inserting the adjusting element 11, wherein the tab 36 comprises the tension contact surface 35. When the tensile force 8b is transmitted, the back side 38 of the disk-shaped head 28 is in contact with the tensile contact surface 35 (see FIG. 8).

[0065]FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0066]The mounting device 6 according to FIG. 9 comprises an adjusting device 10 with an adjusting element 11 and a further adjusting element 12, wherein the adjusting device 10 interacts with a first connecting section 13a of the sanitary basin 1 and with a second connecting section 13b of the holding device 14 by means of the adjusting element 11 in such a way that a relative position of at least a part of the sanitary basin 1, in particular a side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1, and of the holding device 14 can be adjusted relative to one another in an adjusting direction 9 transversely to the installation direction 15. The adjusting element 11 can be used to apply a compressive or tensile force 8a, 8b to the sanitary basin 1 in the adjustment direction 9.

[0067]When installed, the holding device 14 has a worktop 17 running around the sanitary basin 1, wherein the second connecting section 13b is assigned to the worktop 17.

[0068]The adjusting element 11 is in the form of a cap screw 11a. For fixing the cap screw 11a, the first connecting section 13a has a fastening element 18, wherein the fastening element 18 comprises an internal thread 20 corresponding to the external thread 19 of the cap screw 11a and extending parallel to the installation direction 15. The fastening element 18 is arranged in the area of an upper edge 5 of the side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1 and is formed in one piece with the sanitary basin 1. In other words, the side wall 3 has a blind hole 39 with the internal thread 20.

[0069]The further adjusting element 12 can be displaced by means of the cap screw 11a in a direction 22 with a directional component 22b along and in a direction 22 with a directional component 22a against the adjusting direction 9 in such a way that the further adjusting element 12 can be brought into an operative connection transmitting the compressive or tensile force 8a, 8b with the first and second connecting sections 13a, 13b. The further adjusting element 12 is fixed to the first and second fixing sections 13a, 13b, in particular by means of a screw or adhesive connection, via a fixing section 40a, 40b in each case.

[0070]The further adjusting element 12 also comprises an eyelet section 24 arranged centrally between the fixing sections 40a, 40b for arranging the further adjusting element 12 below a head drive 25 of the cap screw 11a. An intermediate element 41a, 41b is arranged between the eyelet section 24 and each fixing section 40a, 40b. The intermediate elements 41a, 41b are each connected on both sides to the eyelet section 24 and the fixing section 40a, 40b via joints 42. A nut 43 is welded to the cap screw 11a on a side facing away from the head drive 25 of the cap screw 11a. The further adjusting element 12 can be displaced via the joints 42 by a force deflection occurring as a result of screwing in or unscrewing the adjusting element 11 in such a way that a tensile or compressive force 8b, 8a acts on the connecting sections 13a, 13b. In other words, the further adjusting element 12 contracts when the adjusting element 11 is screwed in, so that a tensile force 8b is created in the further adjusting element 12. When the adjusting element 11 is unscrewed, the further adjusting element 12 is pressed apart, so that a compressive force 8a is created in the further adjusting element 12. The adjusting element 11 is guided through an elongated hole in the other adjusting element 12.

[0071]FIG. 10 shows steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention and FIGS. 11 to 14 show states during the method according to the embodiment in FIG. 10 in a spatial view.

[0072]FIGS. 10 to 14 relate to the installation of a sanitary basin in a holding device along an installation direction by means of a mounting device.

[0073]In a first step S1, the sanitary basin 1 is arranged in the holding device 14. As shown in FIG. 11, the holding device 14 is arranged in a base cabinet 44 of a sanitary appliance and comprises a circumferential base frame 16. The sanitary basin 1 is inserted into the holding device 14 from above along an installation direction 15 (see FIG. 12).

[0074]In the next step S2, the mounting device 6 is arranged on the sanitary basin 1 and the holding device 14, i.e., on the base frame 16. In this design example, two adjusting devices 10 are provided for each long side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1. FIG. 13 shows that a worktop 17 is then placed on the base unit 44.

[0075]In step S3, the relative position of the respective side wall 3 of the sanitary basin 1 and the holding device 14 to each other is adjusted in an adjustment direction 9 transverse to the installation direction 15 by means of the two adjusting devices 10 in such a way that production-related deviations in shape 4 with outwardly directed curvatures of the sanitary basin 1 are reduced in the adjustment direction 9. Compressive forces 8a are applied to the side walls 3.

[0076]Finally, the sanitary basin 1 is fixed to the worktop 17 (step S4) using an adhesive or sealant, for example silicone and the mounting device 6 is removed from the sanitary basin 1 and the holding device 14 (step S5).

[0086]Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in a variety of ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS