ELONGATED DRAIN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 The invention provides an elongated drain assembly, preferably an elongated shower drain assembly, which comprises a first drain element (1₁) comprising a first elongated tray (2₁) having a first fluid guiding surface (3₁) and a second drain element (1₂) comprising a second elongated tray (2₂) having a second fluid guiding surface (3₂), and a click connection (4) configured for connecting the first and second drain elements such that their first and second elongated trays adjoin each other to form a continuous elongated tray (2) having a smooth transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces The click connection comprises a male connector (5) protruding from a face end region (6) of the first elongated tray and a female connector (7) formed at a face end region (8) of the second elongated tray and configured for inserting therein the male connector in a longitudinal connection direction (CL). The click connection comprises a snap-in pin arrangement and a corresponding snap-in hole arrangement, one of them provided on the male connector and the other provided on the female connector. The male connector and/or the female connector is formed from a resilient sealant material (SM) at least in a region adjoining the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces, and/or the female connector is formed by a C-shaped profile (11) with a central side providing a part of the second fluid guiding surface, narrow sides adjoining the central side, and back sides adjoining the respective narrow side. The snap-in pin arrangement or the snap-in hole arrangement is formed on at least one of the back sides of the female connector.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an elongated drain assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. In particular, the drain assembly may be a shower drain assembly, such as used in a floor of a shower room to discharge the shower water.

[0002] The elongated drain assembly comprises a first drain element with a first elongated tray part having a first fluid guiding surface, a second drain element with a second elongated tray part having a second fluid guiding surface, and a click connection, i.e. a snap-in connection, configured for connecting the first and second drain elements such that their first and second elongated trays parts adjoin each other to form a continuous elongated tray having a smooth transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces.

[0003] The fluid guiding surface is understood to be that surface of the tray or tray parts on which fluid, such as water provided by a shower device in a shower room or other fluid, is guided to be discharged by the drain assembly, for example by flowing on the fluid guiding surface of the tray to reach a collecting space or container of the drain assembly from which it is discharged through an outlet of the drain assembly. Such collecting space or container may in corresponding arrangements be provided as part of the first or second drain element or of another drain element.

[0004] The term elongated is used here in its usual meaning, well understood by the skilled person, in that the drain assembly, also called drain in the following for short, or tray has a length, i.e. an extension in its longitudinal direction or fluid flow direction, which is significantly larger than its width, i.e. its extension in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the length being preferably larger than the width by a factor of two or more, in particular a factor of five or more. Preferably, the length is such that it allows the installer to install the drain from wall to wall, typically anywhere between 600 mm to 1200 mm, sometimes longer. Also, the elongated tray is preferably configured such that it can be shortened, if desired, to enable an exact fit between walls.

[0005] The smooth transition of the fluid guiding surfaces of the tray parts of the click-connected drain elements allows for a correspondingly smooth flow of the fluid guided on the resulting continuous elongated tray without step-like transitions from one tray part to the other.

[0006] The click connection comprises a male connector protruding from a face end region of the first elongated tray, and a female connector formed at a face end region of the second elongated tray and configured for inserting therein the male connector in a male connector longitudinal direction. Further, the click connection comprises a snap-in pin arrangement and a corresponding snap-in hole arrangement, one of them provided on the male connector and the other provided on the female connector. The click connection secures the connected drain elements in their connected position and in particular secures them against unintended axial, i.e. longitudinal, movement away from one another, where such movement could otherwise disturb the smooth transition of their fluid guiding surfaces.

[0007] The first and second drain elements are connected, in corresponding embodiments, such that their tray parts adjoin to each other with parallel length axes to result in the tray having a linear, straight extension or, alternatively, adjoin to each other with non-parallel length axes to result in the tray having a corresponding kink at the transition of the two connected tray parts. Such kink may have any desired kink angle more than 0° and less than 180°, for example about 90°. Likewise, the respective tray part itself may extend straight, i.e. providing a straight, linear extension of its fluid guiding surface, or, alternatively, may extend in kinked or bent shape of its fluid guiding surface.

[0008] It goes without saying that in corresponding embodiments the elongated drain assembly besides the first and second drain elements may further comprise one or more additional drain elements each having a tray part of the same type as the first and second drain elements for being connected thereto and in this way further elongating the resulting tray.

[0009] Laid-open publication EP 3 680 406 A1 discloses a floor-mounted elongated drain assembly which comprises a housing part providing a water collecting and discharge space and tray parts which can be connected to the housing part by a click connection. This click connection is configured to have the tray part connected to the housing part by a vertical snap-in movement from above or by a pivotal snap-in movement or by a combined vertical and successive longitudinal snap-in movement.

[0010] Laid-open publication EP 3 954 838 A1 discloses a floor-mounted elongated shower drain assembly of the type mentioned at the outset, where the click connection of this prior art system uses a separate strip-like connecting piece having an elastic tongue with a snap-in pin on each of its face end regions. This connecting piece can be inserted with its one face end by a longitudinal snap-in movement into one of the two drain elements to be connected and click-connected thereto by its snap-in pin snapped into a corresponding snap-in opening provided on a back side of the drain element opposite its fluid guiding surface, where the drain elements are formed by closed, hollow profiles of rectangular cross-section.

[0011] Other conventional elongated shower drain assemblies which allow for face-end connection of drain elements to provide an extended elongate water guiding tray are disclosed in laid-open publication US 2016/0130794 A1 and patent publication US 10,017,933 B1.

[0012] It is the technical problem underlying the invention to provide an elongated drain assembly of the type mentioned at the outset which offers advantages over the prior art assemblies mentioned above as regards in particular relative low manufacturing and transportation effort and high functional reliability, e.g., with respect to achieving a reliable sealing of the transition region between any two connected drain elements.

[0013] The invention solves this problem by providing an elongated drain assembly having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the wording of which is hereby made part of the description by reference. This in particular includes all embodiments of the invention that result from the combinations of features which are covered by the dependencies of the dependent claims.

[0014] By using the click connection, the resulting drain of the elongated drain assembly and thus its tray can be provided at any length and in any pathway, be it straight or kinked, as desired, by clicking together a plurality of the drain elements without having to transport bulky drain elements or drain trays of such length or pathway. Instead, it is only needed to transport and manipulate the drain elements of shorter length until the desired drain is build-up at the intended place of use in a shower room or the like.

[0015] In one aspect of the invention the male connector and/or the female connector is formed from a resilient sealant material at least in region adjoining the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces. That means only the male connector or only the female connector or both consist at least partially of the resilient sealant material such that the resilient sealant material is present in said region adjoining the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces. In doing so, a corresponding seal is provided for this transition with low manufacturing effort. The seal secures the transition from fluid leaking therethrough between the first and second fluid guiding surfaces.

[0016] In another aspect of the invention the female connector is formed by a C-shaped profile with a central side of the C-shape providing a part of the second fluid guiding surface, with narrow sides adjoining the central side, and with back sides adjoining the respective narrow side. The snap-in pin arrangement or the snap-in hole arrangement is formed on at least one of the back sides of the female connector. This arrangement combines a favourable realization of the female connector as a C-shaped profile with an advantageous realization of the click connection for connecting the first and second drain elements. Preferably, with the drain in its built-up state, the central side of the C-shaped profile may form a top side of the female connector while the back sides form a bottom side thereof, where only the top side may remain visible in the built-up state of the drain in a shower room or the like.

[0017] The term C-shaped is used herein in a generic, broad sense to define the profile as comprising the central side, the narrow sides, and the back sides as explained above and shown in the figures without putting further restrictions on this profile. In particular, each of the sides need not have a completely flat shape but may have a curved or bending shape or may even have one or more kinked regions. For example, the central side of the profile may at the same time form the fluid guiding surface of the corresponding elongated tray part and may comprise a grooved shape suited for fluid collection and guidance. In other words, the C-shape may approximate a shape similar to an M-shape or a V-shape.

[0018] In a development of the invention, the female connector is formed in one piece with the second elongated tray. This can reduce manufacturing and assembling effort in that the female connector is formed as an integral part together with the second elongated tray and need not be fabricated and assembled separately. This is particularly advantageous when the second elongated tray is formed by a C-shaped profile, where the female connector can then be formed as an end section of this C-shaped tray profile. In alternative embodiments, the female connector is formed as a piece separate from the second elongated tray and attached to a face end region of the second elongated tray, if this is desired for specific appliances.

[0019] In a development of the invention, the male connector is formed in one piece with the first elongated tray. This again may allow to keep the manufacturing and assembling effort low in that the male connector is formed as an integral part together with the first elongated tray and need not be fabricated and assembled separately.

[0020] In an alternative development of the invention, the male connector is provided by a separate male connector device coupled to the first elongated tray. In this case the male connector device is fabricated as an additional component of the elongated drain assembly separate from the first elongated tray and is coupled to the first elongated tray at the face end region of the first elongated tray so as to provide the male connector protruding from the face end region of the first elongated tray. This may be of advantage in corresponding appliances to allow fabrication of the drain elements or trays independent of the structure of the male connector.

[0021] In a refinement of the invention, the snap-in hole arrangement comprises at least one recess formed in a corresponding one of the back sides of the female connector. This is an advantageous simple realization for the snap-in hole arrangement which does not need to fabricate through-holes in the female connector for providing the respective snap-in hole. With the drain in use, the snap-in hole arrangement is preferably no more visible due to the one or more recesses being formed on the back side of the female connector. In alternative realizations, the snap-in hole arrangement may comprise one or more through-holes in the back side or any other side of the female connector, if this turns out to be preferred for specific appliances.

[0022] In a development of the invention, the male connector comprises an elastic tongue, and the snap-in pin arrangement comprises at least one snap-in pin formed on the elastic tongue. This is a favourable realization of the click connection. As the one or more snap-in pins are formed on the elastic tongue, they can elastically snap into an associated one of the snap-in holes by a corresponding snap-in, i.e., click, movement of the elastic tongue. Similarly, the click connection can be easily released by moving back the elastic tongue such that the respective snap-in pin moves out of the corresponding snap-in hole. In alternative embodiments, the respective snap-in pin may be formed in some other manner such as any other conventional elastic snap-in pin arrangement or by using one or more rigid snap-in pins cooperating with an elastic snap-in hole arrangement where the respective snap-in hole is formed on an elastic support.

[0023] In a refinement of the invention, the snap-in hole arrangement comprises two recesses each formed in a respective one of the back sides of the female connector, and the snap-in pin arrangement comprises two corresponding snap-in pins formed on opposite side regions of the elastic tongue. This refinement is advantageous in that it contributes to achieve good stability of the click connection which connects the first and second drain elements while keeping the advantages of using the elastic tongue as mentioned above. In alternative embodiments, the snap-in hole arrangement may comprise only one recess or a plurality of recesses on one of the two back sides of the female connector only.

[0024] In another refinement of the invention, the elastic tongue comprises a user-accessible push area to be positioned between the back sides of the C-shaped profile of the female connector when the male and female connectors are engaged to have the first and second drain elements connected. In this advantageous refinement, the elastic tongue can be accessed by the user at its push area so that the user can push the elastic tongue to release, i.e., disconnect, the click connection. In other words, the elastic tongue in this case forms a kind of user-operable push button configured to release the click connection by the pushing action of the user. The click connection can thus be reversibly connected and disconnected by the user without needing any tool, i.e., in a tool-free manner. The user may in particular be an assembling person building the elongated drain assembly at its desired use position. The assembling person can push the elastic tongue at its push area with one of his fingers, for example, to disconnect the drain elements connected by the click connection, if desired, such as for repair or maintenance purposes. In alternative embodiments, the elastic tongue may comprise some other actuation interface, such as a conventional pull actuation means by which the user can move the elastic tongue by a pulling force from its locking, clicked state to its unlocked, releasing state.

[0025] In a development of the invention, the region in which the male connector and/or the female connector is formed from the resilient sealant material extends at least on a top side and on neighbouring narrow sides of the male connector and/or the female connector and/or extends at least along abutting edges of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces at the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces. Having the sealant material extending on the top side and neighbouring narrow sides of the male and/or the female connector contributes to achieve a good and reliable sealing between the connected drain elements and in particular the fluid guiding surfaces of their trays against leakage of the guided fluid at the transition of the fluid guiding surfaces. Similarly, this sealing function can be achieved by having the sealant material extending at least along the abutting edges of the fluid guiding surfaces at their transition. This development is in particular useful when forming the elongated trays by corresponding C-shaped profiles as mentioned above. In alternative embodiments, the sealant material may, e.g., extend on a top side of the male and/or the female connector only and thus on a top side of the abutting elongated trays only, if this turns out to be sufficient for avoiding excessive leakage of fluid in the transition region of the fluid guiding surfaces.

[0026] In a development of the invention, the male connector comprises a male core formed of a rigid material and a resilient male part of the resilient sealant material moulded on the male core. In this case the male connector may preferably be formed as a two-component moulding part. This development is advantageous in view of low fabrication effort and high stability of the click connection. In alternative embodiments, the resilient sealant material may be attached as a separate seal piece, such as a seal ring or seal band, to the male connector or the female connector.

[0027] In a development of the invention, the first drain element comprises a fluid discharge structure including an outlet opening in the first fluid guiding surface of its first elongated tray. In this development, the first drain element not only provides part of the fluid guiding surface of the drain but also provides the fluid discharge structure allowing the fluid guided on the resulting fluid guiding surface of the assembled drain to be discharged. The outlet opening is understood to be an opening through which the fluid collected and guided by the fluid guiding surface leaves the fluid guiding surface to enter a successive fluid discharge space. The outlet opening may be a single opening or may be comprised of a plurality of separate openings, such as the separate openings of a grid element as conventionally used in drains. More specifically, such grid elements are usually placed in a corresponding receiving space of a correspondingly structured drain body.

[0028] In a development of the invention, the elongated drain assembly further comprises a third drain element comprising a third elongated tray having a third fluid guiding surface, and a further click connection configured for connecting the first and third drain elements such that their first and third elongated trays adjoin each other to form a further part of the continuous elongated tray having a smooth transition of the first and third fluid guiding surfaces. The further click connection comprises a further male connector protruding from a further face end region of the first elongated tray and a further female connector formed at a face end region of the third elongated tray and configured for inserting therein the further male connector in a further male connector longitudinal direction. In addition, the further click connection comprises a further snap-in pin arrangement and a corresponding further snap-in hole arrangement, one of them provided on the further male connector and the other provided on the further female connector. The further male connector and/or the further female connector is formed from a resilient sealant material at least in region adjoining the transition of the first and third fluid guiding surfaces and/or wherein the further female connector is formed by a further C-shaped profile with a further central side providing a part of the third fluid guiding surface, further narrow sides adjoining the further central side, and further back sides adjoining the respective further narrow side, and the further snap-in pin arrangement or the further snap-in hole arrangement is formed on at least one of the further back sides of the further female connector.

[0029] So, this development provides an elongated drain assembly having at least three drain elements connected together to form an elongated tray by the succession of at least the first, second, and third elongated tray. It goes without saying that in corresponding embodiments of the invention, the elongated drain assembly is comprised of any number of two, three, or more drain elements to establish a resulting drain having an elongated tray which consists of the successively connected number of elongated trays of the click-connected number of drain elements. This allows for providing an elongated drain assembly having an elongated tray of any desired length while having to transport and handle only the shorter elongated trays which together form the whole tray when being connected to each other.

[0030] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and further embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

Fig. 1

is a perspective top view of an elongated drain arrangement comprising three releasably connected drain elements,

Fig. 2

is a perspective partial exploded top view of the drain arrangement of Fig. 1 showing the drain elements separated from one another,

Fig. 3

is a perspective partial exploded bottom view of the drain arrangement of Fig. 1 showing the drain elements separated from one another,

Fig. 4

is an enlarged view of a region IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

is the view of Fig. 4 with the drain elements connected,

Fig. 6

is a sectional view along a line VI-VI in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

is a perspective partial exploded top view of a drain arrangement similar to that of Fig. 1 to 6 but comprising a separate male connector device showing two drain elements separated from one another,

Fig. 8

is the corresponding bottom view of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

is the view of Fig. 7 with the male connector device coupled to one of the two drain elements,

Fig. 10

is the corresponding bottom view of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

is the view of Fig. 9 with the two drain elements connected, and

Fig. 12

is the corresponding bottom view of Fig. 11.

[0031] As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 12, showing exemplary embodiments, the elongated drain assembly according to the invention comprises a first drain element 1₁ and a second drain element 1₂ as well as a click connection 4. The first drain element 1₁ comprises a first elongated tray 2₁ having a first fluid guiding surface 3₁. The second drain element 1₂ comprises a second elongated tray 2₂ having a second fluid guiding surface 3₂. The second drain element may be basically embodied by a bended sheet material or an extruded profile. The click connection 4 is configured for connecting the first and second drain elements 1₁, 1₂ such that their first and second elongated trays 2₁, 2₂ adjoin each other to form a continuous elongated tray 2 having a smooth transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₂, i.e. a smooth transition from the one to the other of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₂.

[0032] The click connection 4 comprises a male connector 5 protruding from a face end region 6 of the first elongated tray 2₁, and further comprises a female connector 7 formed at a face end region 8 of the second elongated tray 2₂. The female connector 7 is configured for inserting therein the male connector 5 in a longitudinal connection direction CL. The click connection 4 comprises a snap-in pin arrangement 9 and a corresponding snap-in hole arrangement 10, one of them provided on the male connector 5 and the other provided on the female connector 7. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5 the snap-in pin arrangement 9 is provided on the male connector 5, and the snap-in hole arrangement 10 is provided on the female connector 7.

[0033] In advantageous embodiments, like the embodiment of Fig. 1 to 6, the male connector 5 is formed integrally, i.e. in one piece, with the first elongated tray 2₁ at its face end region 6. In alternative embodiments, like the embodiment of Fig. 7 to 12, the male connector is provided by a separate male connector device 19 coupled to the first elongated tray 2₁ at its face end region 6.

[0034] In favourable embodiments, like in the examples shown, the male connector 5 is formed of a resilient sealant material SM at least in a region adjoining the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₂, while the female connector 7 is formed of a rigid material, such as a rigid metal or plastics material. In alternative embodiments of the invention both the male connector 5 and the female connector 7 are formed of the resilient sealant material SM at least in a region adjoining the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₂, or only the female connector 7 is formed of the resilient sealant material SM at least in a region adjoining the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₂.

[0035] In favourable embodiments, like in the examples shown, the female connector 7 is formed by a C-shaped profile 11. This profile 11 has a central side 12 of its C-shaped cross-section, said central side 12 providing a part of the second fluid guiding surface 3₁, 3₂. Further, narrow sides 13a, 13b of the C-shaped profile adjoin the central side 12, and back sides 14a, 14b of the C-shaped profile 11 adjoin the respective narrow side 13a, 13b. The snap-in hole arrangement 10 is formed on at least one of the back sides 14a, 14b of the female connector. In other embodiments the snap-in pin arrangement 9 is formed on at least one of the back sides 14a, 14b of the female connector 7.

[0036] In advantageous embodiments, like in the examples shown, the female connector 7 is formed in one piece with the second elongated tray 2₂.

[0037] In advantageous embodiments, like in the examples shown, the snap-in hole arrangement 10 comprises at least one recess 10₁, 10₂ formed in a corresponding one of the back sides 14a, 14b of the female connector 7.

[0038] In corresponding embodiments, like in the examples shown, the male connector 5 comprises an elastic tongue 15, and the snap-in pin arrangement 9 comprises at least one snap-in pin 9₁, 9₂ formed on the elastic tongue 15.

[0039] In advantageous embodiments, like in the examples shown, the snap-in hole arrangement 10 comprises two recesses 10₁, 10₂ each formed in a respective one of the back sides 14a, 14b of the female connector 7, and the snap-in pin arrangement 9 comprises two corresponding snap-in pins 9₁, 9₂ formed on opposite side regions 15a, 15b of the elastic tongue 15.

[0040] In corresponding embodiments, like in the examples shown, the elastic tongue 15 comprises a user-accessible push area 15c to be positioned between the back sides 14a, 14b of the C-shaped profile 11 of the female connector 7, i.e. in the gap left between the back sides 14a, 14b of the C-shaped profile 11, when the male connector 5 and the female connector 7 are engaged to connect the first and second drain elements 1₁, 1₂ via the click connection 4 having the snap-in pin arrangement 9 and the snap-in hole arrangement 10. This allows the user, such as an assembling person building the elongated drain assembly at its intended place of use, to easily access the push area 15c for pushing the tongue 15 from its locking position, in which each snap-in pin 9₁, 9₂ is snapped into its corresponding snap-in hole, such as the respective recess 10₁, 10₂, to its release position where the snap-in pin 9₁, 9₂ is out of engagement with the corresponding snap-in hole/recess 10₁, 10₂. In this way the user can release the connection of the first and second drain elements 1₁, 1₂, if desired.

[0041] In corresponding embodiments, like in the examples shown, the region in which the male connector 5 is formed from the resilient sealant material SM extends at least on a top side 5t and on neighboring narrow sides 5n₁, 5n₂ of the male connector 5. In other embodiments, where the female connector 7 is formed from the resilient sealant material SM in the related region, this female connector region with the resilient sealant material SM extends at least on a top side and on neighboring narrow sides of the female connector 7. Sealing against leakage of the guided fluid may be improved by this sealing measure.

[0042] In corresponding embodiments, as in the examples shown, the region in which the male connector 5 and/or the female connector 7 is formed from the resilient sealant material SM extends at least along abutting edges 3e₁, 3e₂ of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₂ at the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₂, as is the case in the embodiments shown. Again, sealing against leakage of the guided fluid may be improved by this sealing measure.

[0043] In advantageous embodiments, as in the examples shown, the male connector 5 comprises a male core 5a formed of a rigid material, such as a rigid metal or plastics material, and a resilient male part 5b of the resilient sealant material SM molded on the male core 5a. This contributes to a high stability of the connection accomplished by the male and female connectors 5, 7 and good sealing characteristics with low manufacturing effort.

[0044] In corresponding embodiments, as in the example shown in Fig. 1 to 6, the first drain element 1₁ comprises a fluid discharge structure 16 including an outlet opening 17 in the first fluid guiding surface 3₁ of the first elongated tray 2₁ of the first drain element 1₁. The outlet opening 17 is preferably integrated in the elongated tray 2₁. The elongated tray 2₁ as a whole or only a part of the elongated tray 2₁ including the outlet opening 17 is preferably detachable from the fluid discharge structure 16, in particular in a nondestructive manner, for maintenance and/or cleaning purposes.

[0045] The fluid discharge structure 16 may as such be of a conventional type which does not need further explanations here. For example, the fluid discharge structure 16 may include a fluid collecting chamber into which the outlet opening 17 opens and out of which a discharge opening leads to a following discharge tubing structure.

[0046] In corresponding embodiments, like in the example shown in Fig. 1 to 6, the elongated drain assembly of the invention comprises a third drain element 1₃ having a third elongated tray 2₃ with a third fluid guiding surface 3₃. In this case, a further click connection 4' configured for connecting the first and third drain elements 1₁, 1₃ is provided such that the first and third elongated trays 2₁, 2₃ adjoin each other to form a further part of the continuous elongated tray 2 having a smooth transition of the first and third fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₃. The further, second click connection 4' comprises a further, second male connector 5' protruding from a further, second face end region 6' of the first elongated tray 3₁. In addition, the second click connection 4' comprises a further, second female connector 7' formed at a face end region 8' of the third elongated tray 3₃ and configured for inserting therein the second male connector 5' in a further, second male connector longitudinal direction CL' which may be the same as the first male connector longitudinal direction CL or may differ therefrom, for example by forming a desired angle of more than 0° and less than 180°, for example an angle of about 90°, with the first male connector longitudinal direction CL.

[0047] The second click connection 4' comprises a further, second snap-in pin arrangement 9' and a corresponding further snap-in hole arrangement 10', one of them provided on the second male connector 5' and the other provided on the second female connector 7'. In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 5 the snap-in pin arrangement 9' is provided on the second male connector 5', while the second snap-in hole arrangement 10' is provided on the second female connector 7'. The second male connector 5' and/or the second female connector 7' is/are formed from a resilient sealant material SM at least in a region adjoining the transition of the first and third fluid guiding surfaces 3₁, 3₃, where this resilient sealant material SM may or may not be the same resilient sealant material as that used for the first male connector 5 and/or the first female connector 7. In addition or alternatively the second female connector 7' is formed by a further, second C-shaped profile 11' with a further, second central side 12' providing a part of the third fluid guiding surface 3s, two further, second narrow sides 13'a, 13'b adjoining the second central side 12', and two further, second back sides 14'a, 14'b adjoining the respective second narrow side 13'a, 13'b. The second snap-in pin arrangement 9' or the second snap-in hole arrangement 10' is formed on at least one of the second back sides 14'a, 14'b of the second female connector 7'.

[0048] The second snap-in pin arrangement 9' and the second snap-in hole arrangement 10' may be identical in structure and function to the first snap-in pin arrangement 9 and second snap-in hole arrangement 10, respectively In other words, the connecting means to connect the first and third drain elements 1₁, 1₃ with one another may be the same as the connecting means used to connect the first and second drain elements 1₁, 1₂ with each other.

[0049] In corresponding realizations the profile 11 not only provides the female connector 7 but the corresponding elongated tray in total. In other words, the elongated tray is formed by the profile 11 in this case, such as the second and third elongated trays 2₂, 2₃ in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6 and the first and second elongated trays 2₁, 2₂ in the embodiment of Figs. 7 to 12. Some strip-shaped filler, e.g., of plastics foam material, may be inserted in the profile 11 at a region outside the female connector 7 to fill out the inner volume of the elongated tray at least mostly, such as a filler 18 seen in Figs. 3 and 5.

[0050] In the embodiments shown, the back sides 14a, 14b; 14'a, 14'b of the respective C-shaped profile 11; 11' used for the female connector 7; 7' as well as for the remaining part of the corresponding drain element, i.e. the second and third drain elements 1₂, 1₃, may preferably be slanted inwardly, i.e. in the direction to the central, top side 12; 12'. This results in a swallowtail-like joint between the female connector 7; 7' and the male connector 5; 5' inserted therein. The stability of this connection can be further strengthened by this measure.

[0051] The embodiment of Figs. 7 to 12 is specifically directed to connecting the first drain element 1₁ and the second drain element 1₂ via the male connector device 19 as a component of the elongated drain assembly separate from the first and second drain elements 1₁, 1₂. As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8 the male connector device 19 is of a strip-like configuration comprising on one side of its longitudinal extension the male connector 5 which can be click-connected or snap-connected with the female connector 7 of the second drain element 1₂ or second elongated tray 2₂. On its other side the male connector device 19 comprises a coupling arrangement 20 configured to have the male connector device 19 releasably coupled to the first drain element 1₁ and thus to the first elongated tray 2₁. To this end the first drain element 1₁ or first elongated tray 2₁ comprises a corresponding counter-coupling arrangement 24 configured for releasably engaging with the coupling arrangement 20. The counter-coupling arrangement 24 is formed at the face end region 6 of the first elongated tray 2₁.

[0052] Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the elongated drain arrangement of this embodiment in its disassembled state. For assembling the elongated tray arrangement of Figs. 7 to 12 the male connector device 19 may first be coupled to the first drain element 1₁ through engagement of the coupling arrangement 20 and the counter-coupling arrangement 24, as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 10. The first drain element 1₁ and the second drain element 1₂ can then be connected by clicking or snaping the male connector 5 at the first drain element 1₁ into the female connector 7 of the second drain element 1₂, as explained above with respect to the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 6. Figs. 11 and 12 show the elongated drain arrangement in its assembled state with the click connection 4 in its locked state. Unlocking the click connection 4 is accomplished by pushing the tongue 15 from its locking position to its release position, as also explained above.

[0053] In an advantageous realization, as in the example shown, the coupling arrangement 20 and the counter-coupling arrangement 24 are formed identical to the male connector 5 and the female connector 7, respectively. In the embodiment shown the male connector device 19 is formed symmetrically with respect to its central lateral axis QA, as marked in Figs. 7 and 8, perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. So, the coupling arrangement 20 is simply a copy of the male connector 5. Further, in the embodiment of Figs. 7 to 12 the first drain element 1₁ is formed by using the same C-shaped profile 11 as for the second drain element 1₂. The counter-coupling arrangement 24 can thus make identical use of the features of the female connector 7 provided at the face end region 6 of the first elongated tray 2₁ by this C-shaped profile 11, in particular using the snap-in hole arrangement 10 comprising the recesses 10₁, 10₂ formed in the back sides 14a, 14b of the female connector 7 as provided by the profile 11. Connecting and disconnecting the male connector device 19 to and from the first drain element 1₁ is thus accomplished in the same way as explained above for connecting and disconnecting the drain elements 1₁ and 1₂ to and from another via the click connection 4 including the male connector 5 and the female connector 7.

[0054] The use of the male connector device 19 allows any number of elongated trays to be formed by the profile 11, be it as a straight or bended or kinked profile, and to be connected together in an advantageous and simple manner, thus providing an unlimited extendable elongated drain assembly extending straight or bent or kinked, as desired.

[0055] The elongated drain assembly according to the invention having the construction as shown in the exemplary embodiments of Figs. 1 to 12 may, in particular, be used in a floor of a shower room to discharge the shower water. As understood by the skilled person, any of the trays may be properly cut, i.e. shortened, to a desired length, for example when mounting the elongated drain assembly at shower room floor or wall of a of a given length.

[0056] As apparent from the embodiment shown and the other embodiments explained above, the invention provides an advantageous elongated drain assembly which has improvements over the prior art in particular concerning low manufacturing, assembly, and transportation effort and high functional reliability.

Claims

1. Elongated drain assembly, preferably an elongated shower drain assembly, comprising

- a first drain element (1₁) comprising a first elongated tray (2₁) having a first fluid guiding surface (3₁) and a second drain element (1₂) comprising a second elongated tray (2₂) having a second fluid guiding surface (3₂), and

- a click connection (4) configured for connecting the first and second drain elements (1₁, 1₂) such that their first and second elongated trays (2₁, 2₂) adjoin each other to form a continuous elongated tray (2) having a smooth transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces (3₁, 3₂),

- wherein the click connection (4) comprises a male connector (5) protruding from a face end region (6) of the first elongated tray (2₁) and a female connector (7) formed at a face end region (8) of the second elongated tray (2₂) and configured for inserting therein the male connector (5) in a longitudinal connection direction (CL), and

- wherein the click connection (4) comprises a snap-in pin arrangement (9) and a corresponding snap-in hole arrangement (10), one of them provided on the male connector (5) and the other provided on the female connector (7), characterized in that

- the male connector (5) and/or the female connector (7) is formed from a resilient sealant material (SM) at least in a region adjoining the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces (3₁, 3₂) and/or

- the female connector (7) is formed by a C-shaped profile (11) with a central side (12) which provides a part of the second fluid guiding surface (3₁, 3₂), narrow sides (13a, 13b) adjoining the central side (12), and back sides (14a, 14b) adjoining the respective narrow side (13a, 13b), and the snap-in pin arrangement (9) or the snap-in hole arrangement (10) is formed on at least one of the back sides (14a, 14b) of the female connector (7).

2. Elongated drain assembly according to claim 1, further characterized in that

- the female connector (7) is formed in one piece with the second elongated tray (2₂) and/or

- the male connector (5) is formed in one piece with the first elongated tray (2₁) or is provided by a separate male connector device (19) coupled to the first elongated tray (2i).

3. Elongated drain assembly according to claim 2, further characterized in that the snap-in hole arrangement (10) comprises at least one recess (10₁, 10₂) formed in a corresponding one of the back sides (14a, 14b) of the female connector (7).

4. Elongated drain assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the male connector (5) comprises an elastic tongue (15), and the snap-in pin arrangement (9) comprises at least one snap-in pin (9₁, 9₂) formed on the elastic tongue (15).

5. Elongated drain assembly according to claim 4, further characterized in that the snap-in hole arrangement (10) comprises two recesses (10₁, 10₂) each formed in a respective one of the back sides (14a, 14b) of the female connector (7), and the snap-in pin arrangement (9) comprises two corresponding snap-in pins (9₁, 9₂) formed on opposite side regions (15a, 15b) of the elastic tongue (15).

6. Elongated drain assembly according to claim 4 or 5, further characterized in that the elastic tongue (15) comprises a user-accessible push area (15c) to be positioned between the back sides (14a, 14b) of the C-shaped profile (11) of the female connector (7).

7. Elongated drain assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that the region in which the male connector (5) and/or the female connector (7) is formed from the resilient sealant material (SM) extends at least on a top side (5t) and on neighbouring narrow sides (5n₁, 5n₂) of the male connector (5) and/or the female connector (7) and/or extends at least along abutting edges (3e₁, 3e₂) of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces (3₁, 3₂) at the transition of the first and second fluid guiding surfaces (3₁, 3₂).

8. Elongated drain assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that the male connector (5) comprises a male core (5a) formed of a rigid material and a resilient male part (5b) of the resilient sealant material (SM) moulded on the male core (5a).

9. Elongated drain assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, further characterized in that the first drain element (1₁) comprises a fluid discharge structure (16) including an outlet opening (17) in the first fluid guiding surface (3₁) of its first elongated tray (2₁).

10. Elongated drain assembly according to any of claims 1 to 9, further characterized by

- a third drain element (1s) comprising a third elongated tray (2s) having a third fluid guiding surface (3s),

- a further click connection (4') configured for connecting the first and third drain elements (1₁, 1₃) such that their first and third elongated trays (2₁, 2₃) adjoin each other to form a further part of the continuous elongated tray (2) having a smooth transition of the first and third fluid guiding surfaces (3₁, 3₃),

- wherein the further click connection (4') comprises a further male connector (5') protruding from a further face end region (6') of the first elongated tray (3₁) and a further female connector (7') formed at a face end region (8') of the third elongated tray (3s) and configured for inserting therein the further male connector (5') in a further male connector longitudinal direction (CL'),

- wherein the further click connection (4') comprises a further snap-in pin arrangement (9') and a corresponding further snap-in hole arrangement (10'), one of them provided on the further male connector (5') and the other provided on the further female connector (7'), and

- wherein the further male connector (5') and/or the further female connector (7') is formed from a resilient sealant material (SM) at least in region adjoining the transition of the first and third fluid guiding surfaces (3₁, 3₃), and/or wherein the further female connector (7') is formed by a further C-shaped profile (11') with a further central side (12') providing a part of the third fluid guiding surface (3s), further narrow sides (13'a, 13'b) adjoining the further central side (12), and further back sides (14'a, 14'b) adjoining the respective further narrow side (13'a, 13'b), and the further snap-in pin arrangement (9') or the further snap-in hole arrangement (10') is formed on at least one of the further back sides (14'a, 14'b) of the further female connector (7').

Drawing