COMBINATION OF A METAL TUBE HAVING A CROSS SECTION CHARACTERIZED BY AT LEAST ONE MAIN DIMENSION AND A DEVICE FOR EARTHING THE TUBE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a combination of a metal tube having a cross-section characterized by at least one main dimension and a device for earthing the tube, which device comprises a connecting surface for forming a slide connection, extending in longitudinal direction of the tube, to the peripheral surface of the tube and at least one contact point arranged resiliently on the device for making electrical contact with the tube in the situation where the tube is connected to the device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a combination of a metal tube having a cross-section characterized by at least one main dimension and a device for earthing the tube.

[0002] In wet spaces such as a bathroom it is necessary to earth metal components. Earthing takes place in order to prevent a difference in potential between different metal components, and thereby avoid the risk that a current can begin to flow between the different metal components. Particularly when a person comes into simultaneous contact with two metal components between which there is a potential difference, in particular when the person is wet, this can have serious consequences for the health of this person.

[0003] It is therefore usual to earth taps and drains by connecting them via an earth wire to each other and to earth. Taps are usually earthed by arranging a clamp on the water pipe, whereby the earth wire is brought into electrical contact with the water pipe, and thereby with the tap.

[0004] Often arranged on the underside of drains is a pin with screw thread, also referred to as a weld stud, onto which a nut is screwed and with which an earth wire can be secured. This pin can be damaged during placing of the drain, whereby the nut can no longer be screwed onto the screw thread, and the pin may sometimes even detach from the drain, whereby the whole drain will have to be replaced.

[0005] It is also known to arrange a hole in for instance an adjusting foot or an anchoring tongue arranged on the drain. A bolt can for instance be inserted through this hole so that an earth wire can be secured using a nut. The attachment by means of a bolt and nut entails the risk that the earth wire is not clamped fixedly enough, whereby right from the start or through handling of the drain by the plumber the earth wire still comes loose and/or does not conduct sufficient current.

[0006] In addition, an earth wire will already have to be arranged on the drain at an early stage in the building process because the earth wire must normally be incorporated into the sub-floor. It is hereby not possible to only place the drain when the tiles are arranged, whereby the possibility of fouling and damage to the drain increases considerably. Furthermore, electrician and plumber will have to work together in order to achieve correct earthing and placing of the drain.

[0007] In addition to earthing of a drain, it is also important that the floor in which the drain is arranged is watertight. This normally takes place by arranging a sealing membrane. This sealing membrane can be attached to a horizontal flange around the drain. Because the horizontal flange normally has a relatively great circumferential length, it may be the case that somewhere along this length the attachment of the sealing membrane to the horizontal flange is not perfect, whereby the floor is not fully watertight.

[0008] It is known to attach the sealing membrane, not to a horizontal flange but by attachment using a rubber ring around the outflow of the drain or using an adhesive pad. The risk of leakage is reduced because the outflow has a smaller circumference than the length of the horizontal flange. The rubber ring moreover ensures a more reliable seal.

[0009] An earthing pin or weld stud normally protrudes on the underside of a drain, whereby it is necessary to break through a sealing membrane which is arranged around the outflow and which thus loses its sealing function, whereby such a seal on the outflow is difficult or not possible to combine with earthing of a drain.

[0010] In the case of wood construction floors a protruding pin will often result in it not being possible to achieve the desired build-in height, whereby additional holes will have to be made in the floor and it will be necessary to break through the often liquid sealant, this adversely affecting the watertightness.

[0011] It is also usual to arrange drains in a foam plate, and here too a protruding pin can have an adverse effect on the watertightness. The installation process can moreover be made more difficult by the size of the foam plate when an earth wire must be attached as well.

[0012] US 5589663 describes a way of armouring an armoured electricity cable which runs through a wall gland. Provided for this purpose is a tubular entry member through which the electricity cable runs. The sheath of the cable is connected to the tubular entry member, and placed around the tubular entry number is a metal ring to which an earth wire is attached. The metal ring is clamped between a collar and a nut so that a good contact is achieved between the ring and the gland.

[0013] The ring is further provided with protrusions which are directed radially inward and fall into slots arranged on the outer side of the tubular entry member in order to prevent rotation.

[0014] In this embodiment the earth wire will also have to be fixed directly to the tubular housing since the nut must fixedly clamp the ring.

[0015] It is therefore an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated drawbacks.

[0016] This object is achieved according to the invention with a combination of a metal tube having a cross-section characterized by at least one main dimension and a device for earthing the tube, which device comprises a connecting surface for forming a slide connection, extending in longitudinal direction of the tube, to the peripheral surface of the tube and at least one contact point arranged resiliently on the device for making electrical contact with the tube in the situation where the tube is connected to the device.

[0017] Owing to the slide connection the clamping force of the connection can be determined beforehand by designing the fit of the slide connection as desired. The clamping force therefore no longer depends on how firmly the electrician tightens a nut.

[0018] With the combination according to the invention the metal tube can be slid easily into the device for earthing the tube, whereby a slide connection and an electrical earth connection are brought about simultaneously.

[0019] It hereby becomes possible to first have the earthing device fully connected by an electrician, after which a plumber can earth the drain in simple manner by sliding the metal tube into the earthing device, just as a plug is inserted into a socket outlet. The additional advantage is that the connection of the earthing device can be fully certified, and the responsibility for the electrical connection lies wholly with the electrician.

[0020] In a highly preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the device for earthing the tube comprises a metal ring with an inner peripheral edge of the same form as the cross-section of the tube with at least one first main dimension, an outer peripheral edge with at least one second main dimension, at least three recesses extending from the inner peripheral edge to the outer peripheral edge such that at least three tongues are formed which extend radially inward and form contact points arranged resiliently on the device, and attaching means arranged on the metal ring for attaching an earth wire, wherein the at least one first main dimension is smaller than the at least one main dimension of the tube.

[0021] Because the first diameter of the ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the tube, the formed tongues will bend aside at the moment the tube is inserted in the ring. The tongues will hereby clamp fixedly onto the tube and a good electrical connection will be brought about between the ring and the tube.

[0022] An additional advantage is that the metal ring can be sold separately so that any random drain can be earthed, and the earthing does not therefore depend on an earthing point being present on the drain.

[0023] The tube preferably has a round cross-section and the at least one main dimension is the respective diameter.

[0024] Because a ring is used with a thickness which is inherently small, the ring can be easily incorporated between adjacent layers without the ring being visible. The ring can thus be arranged for instance between the underside of a drain, wherein the tube forms the outflow, and a sealing membrane. A glue layer, such as for instance tile adhesive, is usually also provided between the drain and the sealing membrane, whereby the ring can be fully embedded along the height in the glue layer. Arranging weld studs or pins with screw thread is no longer necessary and breaking through a watertight layer for these weld studs and pins can be dispensed with.

[0025] In the case of a water pipe which protrudes from a wall the ring can be arranged around the water pipe and the ring can for instance be concealed under a tile layer. The earthing of the water pipe will hereby be hidden from view and it is moreover possible to earth taps mounted directly onto the wall.

[0026] An additional advantage of a ring is that it can be easily turned in a suitable direction, for instance in the direction in which the earth wire is being fed.

[0027] The electrician can further connect the earth wire to the ring him/herself, and the electrician does not have to rely on other workers such as a plumber or tiler.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the tube is inserted into the metal ring and the tongues are bent out of the plane of the metal ring in order to hold the tube fixedly in clamping manner.

[0029] Because the tube is inserted into the ring and because the first diameter is smaller than the diameter of the tube, the tongues will have to bend out of the plane to allow passage of the tube. A clamping force of the tongues is then created on the tube as a result of the tongues bending, whereby a good electrical contact is obtained. The tongues moreover lock the position of the ring in length direction relative to the tube and the ring is prevented from detaching from the tube.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the tops of the tongues are bent in axial direction, wherein the bend line lies at a diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the tube, and wherein the outer ends of the tops form the inner peripheral edge of the metal ring.

[0031] Bending the tops of the tongues creates a positioning edge into which the end of the tube can be inserted and whereby the tongues bend more easily and slide along the outer wall of the tube.

[0032] The metal ring is preferably formed from sheet material and the metal ring has a uniform thickness. The metal ring is more preferably of spring steel.

[0033] Because the ring is manufactured from sheet material the thickness of the ring is small, whereby the metal ring can be easily incorporated into a layer. Spring steel has the additional advantage that the thickness can be even smaller while sufficient force can be exerted by the tongues that have been bent aside.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the combination according to the invention the combination comprises a drain, such as a shower drain, wherein the outflow of the drain is the tube, wherein the combination further comprises a siphon, which siphon has an inflow opening with a sealing ring arranged in the inflow opening and wherein the metal ring is arranged around the outflow between the underside of the drain and the sealing ring of the siphon.

[0035] In such a combination the siphon can be incorporated into the sub-floor, and the ring, connected to an earth wire, can be placed on the siphon. Further operations can subsequently be performed, such as for instance the arranging of a sealing membrane.

[0036] The drain can then be placed at an appropriate moment by pressing the drain with the outflow through the ring into the siphon. The drain is immediately earthed in reliable manner simply by the insertion movement.

[0037] In another further embodiment of the combination according to the invention the siphon comprises a non-conductive, for instance plastic housing, the metal ring is arranged in the non-conductive housing and the tongues of the metal ring extend in the inflow opening.

[0038] By arranging the ring in the siphon and having for instance the attaching means of the ring protrude outside the siphon the ring is immediately positioned correctly during placing of the siphon and can no longer shift relative to the siphon, whereby the opening in the ring and the inflow opening of the siphon are aligned at the moment when the outflow of the drain is inserted.

[0039] Yet another embodiment of the combination according to the invention further comprises a sealing membrane, wherein the sealing membrane extends into the inflow opening of the siphon and wherein the sealing membrane comprises at least one conductive zone for electrically connecting the metal ring to the outflow of the drain.

[0040] Some sealing membranes comprise a tubular outflow or an O-ring arranged fixedly on the membrane which has to be inserted into the inflow opening of the siphon. The outflow of the drain is subsequently inserted into the tubular outflow or O-ring of the sealing membrane. Providing a conductive zone guarantees that, despite the intervening membrane, an electrical contact is still obtained between the earthed metal ring and the outflow of the drain.

[0041] In a second highly preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the device for earthing the tube is a siphon with an inflow opening into which the tube can be slid, a peripheral wall directed downward from the inflow opening and forming the connecting surface, and a tongue protruding radially inward from the peripheral wall for the purpose of forming the contact point.

[0042] Attaching means for attaching an earth wire are preferably arranged on the outer side of the siphon, which attaching means are electrically connected to the inward protruding tongue.

[0043] A siphon is normally placed before casting of the covering floor. The earth wire can be connected at the same time to the siphon. The covering floor can then be cast, after which various other operations can be performed in the space. A cement adapter can further be used during casting of the covering floor. This is a filler piece which is removed again after curing of the covering floor and thus forms a desired recess in the covering floor.

[0044] Following placing of an optional sealing membrane, the metal tube can be inserted into the siphon, whereby it is immediately earthed. The tube can for instance be the outflow of a lower tray of a drain or shower drain.

[0045] According to the invention a non-conductive, such as plastic lower tray of a drain can also be provided into which a metal tongue protrudes which is connectable to an earth wire. Further arranged in the lower tray is a metal element, such as a metal grating, which is pushed from above into the lower tray and thereby partially presses aside the metal tongue and as a result makes contact therewith so that the metal grating is earthed.

[0046] In a third highly preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the device for earthing the tube comprises a metal sheet provided with an opening into which the tube can be slid, wherein the tube is at least provided with a radial flange, wherein the metal sheet comprises at least one tongue bent out of the plane and toward the flange and wherein attaching means for attaching an earth wire are arranged on the metal sheet.

[0047] The metal sheet can be easily incorporated into the adhesive layer of the titles. The device for earthing the tube can be easily placed and fixed by arranging the metal sheet for instance on a sealing membrane. The metal tube with the flange thereon can then be inserted into the opening in the sheet and the electrical contact between the metal sheet and the tube is ensured by the upward bent tongue.

[0048] The earth wire is attached to the metal sheet and can then run over the sealing membrane to a position where the earth wire can be further connected.

[0049] It can be advantageous to embody the earth wire at least partially as a flat strip, whereby the earth wire can run easily over or in a sealing membrane of the earthing device to a connection point.

[0050] In yet another embodiment of the combination according to the invention the device for earthing the tube comprises a rubber ring with an inward protruding metal tongue partially embedded in the rubber ring, and wherein a sealing membrane is arranged around the rubber ring.

[0051] With this embodiment the seal is provided by the sealing membrane and the rubber ring, while the embedded metal tongue simultaneously provides for a good earth contact.

[0052] An earth wire is preferably arranged on the embedded metal tongue, which earth wire extends over the surface of the sealing membrane.

[0053] With this embodiment a floor around an outlet opening can be sealed and the electrician can connect the earth wire. A tile floor can for instance subsequently be laid over the sealing membrane, and finally a drain with an outflow can be inserted through the rubber ring into an outlet.

[0054] In a final embodiment of the combination according to the invention a lower tray for a shower drain is arranged on the metal tube so that the metal tube forms the outflow of the lower tray.

[0055] These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the combination according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the embodiment according to figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the combination according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the combination according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view in partial cross-section of a fourth embodiment of the combination according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the combination according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the earthing device for the combination according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to figure 7.

[0056] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment 1 of a combination according to the invention. Combination 1 has a tube 2 and a ring 3. Ring 3 is provided with a tongue 4 with an eye 5 to which an earth cable can be attached.

[0057] Ring 3 is provided with recesses 6, whereby tongues 7 are formed. The tops 8 of these tongues 7 are bent out of the plane of ring 3.

[0058] As shown in figure 2, ring 3 has an inner peripheral edge formed by tops 8 with a diameter D1. Ring 3 has an outer peripheral edge with a diameter D2. Tongues 7 are further bent along the circular bend line 9 with a diameter D3 so that tops protrude out of the plane of ring 3. Tube 2 further has an outer diameter D4. According to the invention the diameter D1 is smaller than D4 and the diameter D3 is greater than D4.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment 20 of the combination according to the invention. Tube 21 is formed here by the outflow of a drain 22. This outflow 21 is inserted into a ring 3 which is the same as the ring shown in figures 1 and 2. An earth cable 23 is connected to ring 3 so that drain 22 is earthed.

[0060] Outflow 21 is further inserted into the inflow opening 24 of siphon 25. In inflow opening 24 a sealing ring 26 is provided for sealing the outflow 21 in inflow opening 24.

[0061] Ring 3 is incorporated into floor 27. A glue layer 28 is then applied onto which titles 29 are glued. Because ring 3 is incorporated into floor 27, drain 22 can be inserted at a later point in time into ring 3 and siphon 25, for instance during laying of the tiles 29.

[0062] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment 40 of the combination according to the invention. The combination has a siphon 41 with an inflow opening 42. On the upper side a ring 43 with radially protruding tongues 44 (largely the same as ring 3 of figures 1 and 2) is integrated into siphon 41.

[0063] An outflow 45 of a sealing membrane 46 is inserted into inflow opening 42. An electrically conductive zone 47 with secondary tongues 48 is provided in the peripheral wall of outflow 45. A metal outflow 49 of a drain 50 can hereby still make electrical contact with metal ring 43 via the electrical zone 47, whereby drain 50 can be earthed.

[0064] Figure 5 is a perspective view in partial cross-section of a fourth embodiment 60 of the combination according to the invention. Combination 60 has a lower tray 61 of a drain. A metal tube 62 is connected as outflow to lower tray 61.

[0065] In addition, combination 60 has a siphon with a housing 63, wherein an inflow opening 64 is arranged in the upper side, a wall 65 directed downward from inflow opening 64 and a wall 66 standing upright from the bottom.

[0066] An O-ring 67 is arranged in the downward directed wall 65 so as to seal against outflow 62. Further arranged on the lower edge of the downward directed wall 65 are a number of contact tongues 68 which will make contact with outflow 62 following insertion of outflow 62 into opening 64. These tongues 68 are connected in the siphon housing 63 for instance via a wire 69 to attaching means 70 arranged on the outer side of housing 63.

[0067] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment 80 of the combination according to the invention. Combination 80 has a drain 81 with an outflow 82 and a metal sheet 83 which is arranged on a sealing membrane 84.

[0068] Metal sheet 83 is connected to an earth wire 85. An opening 86 is provided in sheet 83 so that outflow 82 can be inserted therethrough. Sheet 83 further has two tongues 87 which are bent out of the plane and which, following insertion of outflow 82 into opening 86, will make contact with the underside of drain 81, which serves as radial flange on tube 82, and will thus earth the drain 81.

[0069] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of earthing device 90 for the combination according to the invention.

[0070] Earthing device 90 has a rubber ring 90 in which a metal tongue 92 is embedded. This metal tongue 92 is connected to an earth wire 93. A sealing membrane 94 is arranged around rubber ring 91 so that a floor or wall into which a metal tube such as the outflow of a drain is inserted can be sealed.

[0071] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to figure 7. Rubber ring 91 is provided with a horizontal flange 95 to which sealing membrane 94 is adhered. Directed downward from horizontal flange 95 is a wall 96 around which runs a flexible tongue 97 which provides for the sealing of rubber ring 91 against a tube to be inserted.

[0072] Metal tongue 92 is partially embedded in the downward directed wall 96 so that an outer end of metal tongue 92 extends inside the downward directed wall 96 and can therefore make contact with an inserted tube. Because the downward directed wall 96 is a horizontal flange 95 of rubber, such as EPDM, metal tongue 92 is resilient and therefore provides a good contact force against an inserted tube.

Claims

1. Combination of a metal tube having a cross-section characterized by at least one main dimension and a device for earthing the tube, which device comprises a connecting surface for forming a slide connection, extending in longitudinal direction of the tube, to the peripheral surface of the tube and at least one contact point arranged resiliently on the device for making electrical contact with the tube in the situation where the tube is connected to the device.

2. Combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for earthing the tube comprises a metal ring with an inner peripheral edge of the same form as the cross-section of the tube with at least one first main dimension, an outer peripheral edge with at least one second main dimension, at least three recesses extending from the inner peripheral edge to the outer peripheral edge such that at least three tongues are formed which extend radially inward and form contact points arranged resiliently on the device, and attaching means arranged on the metal ring for attaching an earth wire, wherein the at least one first main dimension is smaller than the at least one main dimension of the tube.

3. Combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tube has a round cross-section and wherein the at least one main dimension is the respective diameter.

4. Combination as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the tube is inserted into the metal ring and wherein the tongues are bent out of the plane of the metal ring in order to hold the tube fixedly in clamping manner.

5. Combination as claimed in any of the claims 2-4, wherein the tops of the tongues are bent in axial direction, wherein the bend line lies at a diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the tube, and wherein the outer ends of the tops form the inner peripheral edge of the metal ring.

6. Combination as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 2-5, wherein the metal ring is formed from sheet material and wherein the metal ring has a uniform thickness.

7. Combination as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 2-6, wherein the metal ring is of spring steel.

8. Combination as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 2-7, wherein the combination comprises a drain, such as a shower drain, wherein the outflow of the drain is the tube, wherein the combination further comprises a siphon, which siphon has an inflow opening with a sealing ring arranged in the inflow opening and wherein the metal ring is arranged around the outflow between the underside of the drain and the sealing ring of the siphon.

9. Combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein the siphon comprises a non-conductive, for instance plastic housing, and wherein the metal ring is arranged in the non-conductive housing and the tongues of the metal ring extend in the inflow opening.

10. Combination as claimed in claim 8 or 9, further comprising a sealing membrane, wherein the sealing membrane extends into the inflow opening of the siphon and wherein the sealing membrane comprises at least one conductive zone for electrically connecting the metal ring to the outflow of the drain.

11. Combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for earthing the tube is a siphon with an inflow opening into which the tube can be slid, a peripheral wall directed downward from the inflow opening and forming the connecting surface, and a tongue protruding radially inward from the peripheral wall for the purpose of forming the contact point.

12. Combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein attaching means for attaching an earth wire are arranged on the outer side of the siphon, which attaching means are electrically connected to the inward protruding tongue.

13. Combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for earthing the tube comprises a metal sheet provided with an opening into which the tube can be slid, wherein the tube is at least provided with a radial flange, wherein the metal sheet comprises at least one tongue bent out of the plane and toward the flange and wherein attaching means for attaching an earth wire are arranged on the metal sheet.

14. Combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for earthing the tube comprises a rubber ring with an inward protruding metal tongue partially embedded in the rubber ring, and wherein a sealing membrane is arranged around the rubber ring.

15. Combination as claimed in claim 14, wherein an earth wire is arranged on the embedded metal tongue, which earth wire extends over the surface of the sealing membrane.

16. Combination as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a lower tray for a shower drain is arranged on the metal tube so that the metal tube forms the outflow of the lower tray.

Drawing