Mounting Device for a Sanitary Basin and Method for Providing a Sanitary Basin

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

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

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

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

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

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

In one embodiment, the present invention achieves the aforementioned goals with a method for providing a sanitary basin in a holding device by means of a mounting device according to any one of claims-, comprising the steps of:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

shows a sanitary basin with deviations in shape in a plan view.shows a sanitary basinwith a rectangular base. The two long side wallshave deviations in shapewith outward curvatures. The deviations in shapeare maximally pronounced in the middle of the long side wallsand in the area of an upper edgeof the long side walls. Such deviations in shapecan occur during the manufacturing process, particularly with plastic sanitary basins. In order to reduce the deviations in shape, a force, in particular a compressive forceacting on an outer side(see) of the side walls, can be applied in an adjustment directionin a center of the long side wallsduring assembly of the sanitary basinwith the aid of the mounting device(see). The adjustment directionruns inwards in relation to the sanitary basin.

shows a plan view of another sanitary basin with deviations in shape.

In the sanitary basinshown in, the long side wallshave deviations in shapewith inward curvatures. To reduce the deviations in shape, a force, in particular a tensile forceacting on an outer side(see) of the side walls, can be applied in an adjustment directionin the middle of the long side wallsduring assembly of the sanitary basinusing the mounting device(see). The adjustment directionruns outwards in relation to the sanitary basin.

shows a mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a spatial, sectional view before the actuation of the adjusting device andshows the mounting device according to the embodiment inin a further spatial, sectional view after the actuation of the adjusting device.

The mounting deviceshown incomprises an adjusting devicewith an adjusting elementand a further adjusting element, wherein the adjusting deviceinteracts with a first connecting sectionof the sanitary basinand with a second connecting sectionof a holding deviceby means of the adjusting elements,in such a way that a relative position of at least a part of the sanitary basin, in particular a side wallof the sanitary basinand of the holding devicecan be adjusted relative to one another in an adjustment direction(see) transverse to an installation direction(see). A compressive force(see

) can be applied to the sanitary basinin the adjustment directionby means of the adjusting elements,.

The holding devicehas a base framerunning around the sanitary basinwhen installed, wherein the second connecting sectionis assigned to the base frame. The base frameis arranged below a worktop.

The adjusting elementis in the form of a cap screwFor fixing the cap screwthe first connecting sectionhas a fastening element, wherein the fastening elementcomprises an internal thread (not shown) corresponding to the external threadof the cap screwwith an extension parallel to the installation direction. The internal thread is cut and/or formed in particular when the cap screwis screwed in. For this purpose, the cap screwcan be designed as a thread-rolling and/or thread-forming screw. The fastening elementis fixed in the area of an upper edgeof the side wallof the sanitary basin. For example, a screw connection, an adhesive connection, or a connection using one or more expansion elements is suitable for securing the fastening element.

The further adjusting elementcomprises a clawand can be displaced by means of the cap screwin a directionwith a directional componentopposite the adjustment directionin such a way that the further adjusting elementcan be brought into an operative connection transmitting the compressive forcewith the base frameof the second connecting sectionThe second connecting sectionhas a guide surfacealong which the clawof the further adjusting elementcan be displaced.

The further adjusting elementalso comprises an eyelet section for arranging the further adjustment elementbelow a head driveof the cap screwIf the cap screwis screwed in, the other adjusting elementmoves in the direction of screwing in. The clawis displaced along the guide surfacein a directionwith a directional componentopposite the adjustment direction(see). In other words, the clawis deflected outwards in relation to the sanitary basinand then engages in the base frameso that the compressive forceacts on the side wallof the sanitary basin. The compressive forceis a force component of a total forceacting on the side wall. In, the mounting deviceis shown in a state in which the further adjusting elementengages in the base frame.

shows a spatial view of a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

The mounting deviceshown inhas an adjusting elementand a fastening element. The adjusting elementcomprises a threaded boltwith a hexagon socket drivearranged at one end and a disk-shaped headwith a rubber coating arranged at the other end. The adjusting elementcan be detachably connected to the second connecting sectionin particular a base frame, via the fastening element. For this purpose, the fastening elementis designed as a drive-in nutThe drive-in nuthas a cylindrical sectionwith an internal thread(see), which corresponds to the external threadof the threaded bolt

The cylindrical sectioncan be fixed in a recess(see) of the second connecting sectionThe fastening elementcan be arranged in the base framein such a way that the internal threadextends parallel to the adjustment direction. The adjusting elementcan therefore also be arranged along the adjustment directionand can be displaced in such a way that a compressive forcecan be applied to the sanitary basinin the adjustment directionby means of the adjusting element. The pressure forceis transmitted to the sanitary basinby the disk-shaped headvia a pressure contact surface(see) of the first connecting sectionfacing away from an interiorof the sanitary basin.

shows a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention in a spatial, sectional view.shows the mounting device according to the embodiment inin a further spatial, sectional view.shows the mounting device according to the embodiment inin a further spatial, sectional view.

The mounting devicehas an adjusting devicewith an adjusting element, which is designed as a threaded boltwith a hexagon socket drivearranged at one end and a disk-shaped headarranged at the other end. The adjusting elementis detachably connected to a fastening elementfixed to the second connecting sectionof a holding device. The fastening elementhas a cylindrical sectionwith an internal threadand a disk-shaped collar section. The cylindrical sectionis arranged in a recessof the second connecting sectionAs can be seen from, the collar sectionis fixed to the second connecting sectionby means of a screw connection with several screws. The internal threadand correspondingly the adjusting elementextend parallel to the adjustment direction.

The disk-shaped headof the adjusting elementinteracts with the first connecting sectionfor adjusting the relative position of a side wallof the sanitary basinand the holding deviceto one another in an adjustment directiontransverse to the installation direction. The first connecting sectionhas a pressure contact surfacefacing away from an interiorof the sanitary basinfor transmitting the pressure forceand a tension contact surfacefacing an interiorof the sanitary basinfor transmitting the tension forceThe first connecting sectionof the sanitary basinhas a tabwith a passageopen on one side for inserting the adjusting element, wherein the tabcomprises the tension contact surface. When the tensile forceis transmitted, the back sideof the disk-shaped headis in contact with the tensile contact surface(see).

shows a sectional view of a mounting device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

The mounting deviceaccording tocomprises an adjusting devicewith an adjusting elementand a further adjusting element, wherein the adjusting deviceinteracts with a first connecting sectionof the sanitary basinand with a second connecting sectionof the holding deviceby means of the adjusting elementin such a way that a relative position of at least a part of the sanitary basin, in particular a side wallof the sanitary basin, and of the holding devicecan be adjusted relative to one another in an adjusting directiontransversely to the installation direction. The adjusting elementcan be used to apply a compressive or tensile forceto the sanitary basinin the adjustment direction.