(19)
(11) EP 2 960 382 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
20.09.2017 Bulletin 2017/38

(21) Application number: 15171118.1

(22) Date of filing: 09.06.2015
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
E03C 1/02(2006.01)

(54)

IN-WALL MOUNTABLE BOUNDARY BOX FOR TAP

UNTERPUTZDOSE FÜR EINEN WASSERHAHN

BOÎTE D'ENCASTREMENT POUR ROBINET


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 09.06.2014 CN 201420304068 U

(43) Date of publication of application:
30.12.2015 Bulletin 2015/53

(73) Proprietor: Roman Dietsche GmbH
35440 Linden (DE)

(72) Inventor:
  • Tang, Tai-ying
    Guangzhoe, Guangdong (CN)

(74) Representative: Rau, Schneck & Hübner Patentanwälte Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB 
Königstraße 2
90402 Nürnberg
90402 Nürnberg (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 382 757
CN-A- 103 669 495
DE-U1- 20 303 049
EP-A1- 2 143 846
DE-A1-102004 040 084
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Technical field



    [0001] This patent refers to a pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to the preamble of claim 1.

    State of the art



    [0002] A kind of the pre-mounted installation box is circular, whereas the fixture frame is usually also circular. The fixture frame may be installed directly on the installation box. By means of threads on the fixture frame and the box, or alternatively by means of buckles, the fixture frame and the pre-mounted installation box can be connected tightly. During the installation, the fixture frame and installation box have to be rotated about each other, which may lead to a restriction: when the installation box is non-circular, the fixture frame can not be installed.

    [0003] When the installation box is non-circular, the fixture frame is usually separated into two parts, i.e. two fixture planks. The fixture plank has buckles in its inner side, which can match to the other joints on the outer wall of the installation box. Additionally, the fixture plank has plugs on one end and sockets on the other end. The fixture frame may be formed by connecting both fixture planks by plugging the plugs to the sockets on each other, yet the strength is reduced significantly and the connection is weakened. Due to the fixture frame is separable, when the fixture planks are under strong external force, the connection may be broken and the installation box may become unstable.

    [0004] EP 1 382 757 A1 being the next prior art discloses a sanitary installation unit. CN 103669495 A, EP 2 143 846 A1, DE 10 2004 040 084 A1 and DE 203 03 949 U1 disclose further sanitary installation units.

    Contents of the patent



    [0005] This patent introduces a pre-mounted installation box for faucets. By using plugs to fix the fixture frame to the box body, the shape of the fixture frame is no longer restricted by the shape of the installation box. This design not only simplifies the installation of the installation box, but also strengthens the stability of the installation box.

    [0006] The technical solution introduced by this patent is solved by the features of claim 1.

    [0007] In order to break the restriction of the existing pre-mounted installation box and its installation method, this patent introduces a new pre-mounted installation box for faucets.

    [0008] Firstly, the fixture frame is designed to have a circular structure, which is inseparable. This design not only may fix the installation box, tighten its installation, but also may simplify the installation and break the restriction of the shape of the fixture frame.

    [0009] Secondly, in this patent, plugs, first ribs, second ribs along with sockets, first notches and second notches that may fit to them, are able to fix the fixture frame and the installation box into one piece tightly.

    [0010] At last, in this patent, the plug is fixed by the bar-shape buckle in the fixture frame, which may tighten the connection between the fixture frame and the box body. The designed structure is concise, it not only may simplify the installation and operation of the pre-mounted installation box in the hollow wall, but also may adapt the fixture frame with a certain shape to the box body that in different shape.

    [0011] Further preferred embodiments are stated in the subclaims.

    Figure description



    [0012] 
    Figure 1
    is the main view of the fixture frame described by this patent;
    Figure 2
    is the pictorial drawing of the fixture frame described by this patent;
    Figure 3
    is the structural representation of the plug described by this patent;
    Figure 4
    is the structural representation of the box body described by this patent;
    Figure 5
    is the assembly drawing of the fixture frame and the box body described by this patent;
    Figure 6
    is the schematic drawing after the assembly of the fixture frame and the box body described by this patent; and
    Figure 7
    is the schematic drawing of the box body installed with the fixture frame described by this patent.

    Application modes



    [0013] In the following, there are detailed explanations for this patent with the schematic drawings. It serves the technicians in this field, so that one may apply these modes according to the guideline.

    [0014] As shown in Figures 1-7, this patent introduces a pre-mounted installation box, comprising:

    a circular fixture frame 1, plug 2, box body 3, first rib 4, socket 5, slot 6, first notch 7, first installation hole 8, bar-shape buckle 9, groove 10, second installation hole 11, inlet 12, outlet 13, fixture foot 14, second rib 15, vertical part 18 and horizontal part 17.



    [0015] The box body 3, which has a rectangular cross section, has at least one inlet 12 and outlet 13. There is one fixture foot 14, which may be used for mounting the box body 3, on each corner of the box body 3.

    [0016] Several first installation holes 8 are distributed equally on the circular fixture frame 1.

    [0017] The linkage mechanism includes: a first notch 7, slot 6, first rib 4, bar-shape buckle 9, second rib 15, plug 2 and second notch 16.

    [0018] First notch 7 is located on the inner side of the fixture frame 1.

    [0019] Slot 6, which has the hole on the end surface of the fixture frame 1, extends through the frame 1 to the first notch 7. Additionally, slot 6 goes through the first notch 7 and forms an extension part below the first notch 7.

    [0020] First rib 4 comprises the first rectangular part, the first tail, which is wider than the first rectangular part, and the triangular first head. First rib 4 is located on the outer side of the box body 3 and has at least one socket 5.

    [0021] Second notch 16 is located on the inner side of the fixture frame 1.

    [0022] Second rib 15, which is located on the outer side of the box body 3, comprises the second rectangular part, the second tail, which is wider than the second rectangular part, and the triangular second head.

    [0023] Bar-shape buckle 9, which is located at one side of the fixture frame 1, with its root connected to the fixture frame 1, becomes a part of the fixture frame 1.

    [0024] The first notch 7 is between the head of the bar-shape buckle 9 and the fixture frame 1. The extension of the slot 6 is between the first side wall and the fixture frame 1, where the first side wall has a linear bump that is perpendicular to the extension of slot 6. The second side wall and the fixture frame 1 are separated by a narrow groove.

    [0025] The plug 2 is an L-shape component that consists of the horizontal part 17 and the vertical part 18. The horizontal part 17 has a second installation hole 11. The bottom of plug 2 has a groove 10 that fits to the linear bump on the first side wall.

    [0026] Four linkage mechanisms are included in this application mode. Each two first ribs 4 are located on the same side wall and close to the edges of the box body 3 separately. Four second ribs 15 are located on four side walls of the box body 3.

    [0027] As shown in Figure 5 and 6, the installation process is:

    [0028] Fixture frame 1 is installed around the box body 3. First rib 4 goes through first notch 7, leading the slot 6 to one of the sockets 5. Second rib 15 goes through second notch 16. Plug 2 is inserted into slot 6. The horizontal part 17 of plug 2 remains outside the slot 6. The bottom of the plug 2 may be inserted into the extension of the slot 6, where the groove 10 at the bottom should match to the linear bump. The mounted installation box is shown in the Figure 7.


    Claims

    1. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets, comprising:

    a) a box body (3),

    b) a circular fixture frame (1), which is installed around the box body (3) and is connected with the box body (3) via at least one linkage mechanism,

    c) wherein the linkage mechanism includes

    i. a first notch (7), which is located on an inner side of the fixture frame (1), and

    ii. a first rib (4), which is located on an outer side of the box body (3) and has at least one socket (5), which first rib (4) extends into the first notch (7),
    characterized by

    iii. a slot (6), extending from a hole on an end surface of the fixture frame (1) the fixture frame (1) to the first notch (7), and

    iv. a plug (2), which is plugged into the slot (6) and reaches the socket (5) thereby locking up the position of the fixture frame (1).


     
    2. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 1,

    a) wherein the slot (6) goes through the first notch (7) and forms an extension part below the first notch (7), and

    b) wherein the linkage mechanism also includes a bar-shape buckle (9), which is located at one side of the fixture frame (1), with its root connected to the fixture frame (1), and becomes a part of the fixture frame (1),

    - wherein the first notch (7) is between a head of the bar-shape buckle (9) and the fixture frame (1),

    - wherein the extension of the slot (6) is between the first side wall and the fixture frame (1), where the first side wall has a linear bump that is perpendicular to the extension,

    - wherein the second side wall and the fixture frame (1) are separated by a narrow groove, and

    c) wherein a bottom of the plug (2) may be inserted to the extension part and has a groove (10) that fits to the linear bump on the first side wall.


     
    3. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rib (4) comprises a first rectangular part and a first tail, which is wider than the first rectangular part, and a triangular first head.
     
    4. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the linkage mechanism also includes

    a) a second notch (16), which is located on the inner side of the fixture frame (1), and

    b) a second rib (15), which is located on the outer side of the box (3) body, goes through the second notch (16) and comprises a second rectangular part and a second tail, which is wider than the second rectangular part, and a triangular second head.


     
    5. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 1, wherein the fixture frame (1) has several first installation holes (18).
     
    6. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 1, wherein the plug (2) is an L-shape component that consists of a horizontal part (17) and a vertical part (18), the horizontal part (17) having a second installation hole (11).
     
    7. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 1, wherein the at least one linkage mechanism includes four linkage mechanisms, each two first ribs (4) being located on the same side wall and close to edges of the box body (3) separately.
     
    8. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 4, wherein the at least one linkage mechanism includes four linkage mechanisms, each two first ribs (4) being located on the same side wall and close to edges of the installation box separately, four second ribs (15) being located on four side walls of the box body (3).
     
    9. A pre-mounted installation box for faucets according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the box body (3) is rectangular.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen, umfassend

    a) einen Gehäusekörper (3),

    b) einen umlaufenden Befestigungsrahmen (1), der um den Gehäusekörper (3) angeordnet und mit dem Gehäusekörper (3) über mindestens einen Verbindungsmechanismus verbunden ist,

    c) wobei der Verbindungsmechanismus aufweist

    i. eine erste Aussparung (7), die an einer Innenseite des Befestigungsrahmens (1) angeordnet ist, und

    ii. eine erste Rippe (4), die an einer Außenseite des Gehäusekörpers (3) angeordnet ist und mindestens eine Aufnahme (5) aufweist, wobei sich die erste Rippe (4) in die erste Aussparung (7) erstreckt,
    gekennzeichnet durch

    iii. einen Schlitz (6), der sich von einer Öffnung an einer Endfläche des Befestigungsrahmens (1) durch den Befestigungsrahmen (1) zu der ersten Aussparung (7) erstreckt, und

    iv. ein Steckstück (2), das in den Schlitz (6) gesteckt ist und bis in die Aufnahme (5) reicht, wodurch der Befestigungsrahmen (1) in seiner Position fixiert ist.


     
    2. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 1,

    a) wobei der Schlitz (6) durch die erste Aussparung (7) geht und einen Fortsatz unterhalb der ersten Aussparung (7) bildet, und

    b) wobei der Verbindungsmechanismus außerdem eine riegelförmige Spange (9) umfasst, die an einer Seite des Befestigungsrahmens (1) angeordnet ist, wobei deren Fuß mit dem Befestigungsrahmen (1) verbunden ist, und einen Teil des Befestigungsrahmens (1) bildet,

    - wobei die erste Aussparung (7) zwischen einem Kopf der riegelförmigen Spange (9) und dem Befestigungsrahmen (1) angeordnet ist,

    - wobei sich die Fortsetzung des Schlitzes (6) zwischen der ersten Seitenwand und dem Befestigungsrahmen (1) befindet, wo die erste Seitenwand einen linearen Vorsprung aufweist, der senkrecht zu dem Fortsatz verläuft,

    - wobei die zweite Seitenwand und der Befestigungsrahmen (1) durch eine schmale Ausnehmung voneinander getrennt sind, und

    c) wobei ein Fuß des Steckstücks (2) in den Fortsatz eingeschoben werden kann und eine Nut (10) aufweist, die an den linearen Vorsprung an der ersten Seitenwand angepasst ist.


     
    3. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die erste Rippe (4) einen ersten rechteckigen Teil und ein erstes Ende, das breiter ist als der erste rechteckige Teil, sowie einen dreieckigen ersten Kopf aufweist.
     
    4. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Verbindungsmechanismus außerdem umfasst

    a) eine zweite Aussparung (16), die an der Innenseite des Befestigungsrahmens (1) angeordnet ist, und

    b) eine zweite Rippe (15), die an der Außenseite des Gehäusekörpers (3) angeordnet ist, durch die zweite Aussparung (16) geht und aufweist einen zweiten rechteckigen Teil und ein zweites Ende, das breiter ist als der zweite rechteckige Teil, sowie einen dreieckigen zweiten Kopf.


     
    5. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Befestigungsrahmen (1) mehrere erste Installationsöffnungen (18) aufweist.
     
    6. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Steckstück (2) eine L-förmige Komponente ist, die aus einem horizontalen Teil (17) und einem vertikalen Teil (18) besteht, wobei der horizontale Teil (17) eine zweite Installationsöffnung (11) aufweist.
     
    7. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der mindestens eine Verbindungsmechanismus vier Verbindungsmechanismen umfasst, wobei jeweils zwei erste Rippen (4) getrennt voneinander an derselben Seitenwand und benachbart zu Kanten des Gehäusekörpers (3) angeordnet sind.
     
    8. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei der mindestens eine Verbindungsmechanismus vier Verbindungsmechanismen umfasst, wobei jeweils zwei erste Rippen (4) getrennt voneinander an derselben Seitenwand und benachbart zu Kanten des Installationsgehäuses und vier zweite Rippen (15) an vier Seitenwänden des Gehäusekörpers (3) angeordnet sind.
     
    9. Vormontiertes Installationsgehäuse für Armaturen gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei ein Querschnitt des Gehäusekörpers (3) rechteckig ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets, comprenant:

    a) un corps de boîte (3),

    b) un bâti de fixation circulaire (1) qui est installé autour du corps de boîte (3) et est raccordé avec le corps de boîte (3) via au moins un mécanisme de liaison,

    c) dans laquelle le mécanisme de liaison comprend:

    i. une première encoche (7) qui est positionnée sur un coté interne du bâti de fixation (1), et

    ii. une première nervure (4) qui est positionnée sur le côté externe du corps de boîte (3) et a au moins une douille (5), laquelle première nervure (4) s'étend dans la première encoche (7),

    caractérisée par:

    iii. une fente (6) s' étendant à partir d'un trou sur une surface d'extrémité du bâti de fixation (1) en passant par le bâti de fixation (1) jusqu'à la première encoche (7), et

    iv. un obturateur (2) qui est enfoncé dans la fente (6) et atteint la douille (5) verrouillant ainsi la position du bâti de fixation (1).


     
    2. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 1,

    a) dans laquelle la fente (6) traverse la première encoche (7) et forme une partie d'extension au-dessous de la première encoche (7), et

    b) dans laquelle le mécanisme de liaison comprend également une boucle en forme de barre (9) qui est positionnée au niveau d'un côté du bâti de fixation (1), avec sa base raccordée au bâti de fixation (1) et devient une partie intégrante du bâti de fixation (1),
    dans laquelle la première encoche (7) est entre une tête de la boucle en forme de barre (9) et le bâti de fixation (1),
    dans laquelle l'extension de fente (6) est entre la première paroi latérale et le bâti de fixation (1), où la première paroi latérale a un bossage linéaire qui est perpendiculaire à l'extension,
    dans laquelle la seconde paroi latérale et le bâti de fixation (1) sont séparés par une rainure étroite, et

    c) dans laquelle un fond de l'obturateur (2) peut être inséré dans la partie d'extension et a une rainure (10) qui s'adapte sur le bossage linéaire sur la première paroi latérale.


     
    3. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle la première nervure (4) comprend une première partie rectangulaire et une première queue, qui est plus large que la première partie rectangulaire, et une première tête triangulaire.
     
    4. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle le mécanisme de liaison comprend également:

    a) une seconde encoche (16) qui est positionnée sur le côté interne du bâti de fixation (1), et

    b) une seconde nervure (15) qui est positionnée sur le côté externe du corps de boîte (3), traverse la seconde encoche (16) et comprend une seconde partie rectangulaire, et

    une seconde queue qui est plus large que la seconde partie rectangulaire et une seconde tête triangulaire.
     
    5. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 1,
    dans laquelle le bâti de fixation (1) a plusieurs premiers trous d'installation (18).
     
    6. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 1,
    dans laquelle l'obturateur (2) est un composant en forme de L qui se compose d'une partie horizontale (17) et d'une partie verticale (18), la partie horizontale (17) ayant un second trou d'installation (11).
     
    7. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 1,
    dans laquelle le au moins un mécanisme de liaison comprend quatre mécanismes de liaison, toutes les deux premières nervures (4) étant positionnées sur la même paroi latérale et à proximité des bords du corps de boîte (3) séparément.
     
    8. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 4,
    dans laquelle le au moins un mécanisme de liaison comprend quatre mécanismes de liaison, toutes les deux premières nervures (4) étant positionnées sur la même paroi latérale et à proximité des bords de la boîte d'installation séparément, quatre secondes nervures (15) étant positionnées sur quatre parois latérales du corps de boîte (3).
     
    9. Boîte d'installation pré-montée pour robinets selon la revendication 1,
    dans laquelle une section transversale du corps de boîte (3) est rectangulaire.
     




    Drawing

















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description