Abstract:
A sanitary appliance for use, for example, as a kitchen water control and temperature mixing valve, has a base part which is fixed to a plate and a housing surrounding the base part. The base part receives all functional parts of the appliance but is not visible from the outside. A receiving area for a mixer cartridge is provided in the base part, in addition to a bottom for feed pipes and optionally drainpipes. The mixer cartridge and the feed pipes are connected by a mechanism of an interchangeable intermediate element. The appliance can be adapted to various operational modes and mixer cartridges by replacing the intermediate element.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a sanitary fitting, such as a kitchen type water flow and temperature mixing control valve, having a fitting body mounted at an opening in a countertop or plate. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Sanitary fittings normally comprise a fitting body, which is e.g. made from cast brass. Fittings have also been proposed in which the fitting body is constructed as a sheet metal part or from plastic. In conventional sanitary fittings, the outside of this fitting body simultaneously forms the outer shape of the sanitary fitting. 
   A single hole-single lever mixing fitting is known (DE-C2-3243750), in which a cast metal battery housing has an externally, substantially cylindrically constructed area into which issue connecting passages. This area is covered by a ring, in which a check valve is provided and which leads to a separate appliance connecting pipe. 
   A single hole mixing fitting is also known (DE-A1-3022706), which has a pedestal with an insertion connecting piece for fixing in a wash basin. Bowden wires can pass through the pedestal, to which is connected the remainder of the fitting housing. 
   It would be to provide a sanitary fitting, of a improved type, which in the case of a simple construction can be adapted to different functions and uses. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To solve this problem the invention proposes a sanitary fitting having the features disclosed herein and defined in the independent claim(s) Further developments of the invention form the subject matter of the dependent claims, whose wording, like that of the abstract, is by reference made into part of the content of the present description. 
   The base part, together with the intermediate element, can be constructed in such a way that it can receive the mixing device, e.g. a mixer cartridge. The base part is constructed in such a way that it can be fitted with a fastening or fixing device to the plate-like element, e.g. a counter top or other a rinsing surface. To the base part is then connected the housing, which completely surrounds the base part. The external shape and the surface characteristics are consequently only determined by the housing, which does not take over any supporting functions. The liquid connection between the water-carrying parts, i.e. the supply pipes and optionally a pipe passing on further, the outlet from the sanitary fitting and the mixer valve, is at least partly taken over by the intermediate element. To adapt to different tasks and functions of the sanitary fitting, it is only necessary to remove the intermediate element and replace it by another intermediate element. Thus, the most varied of fittings can be housed in the base part. Through the replacement of the housing, there can also be an adaptation to different shapes and colors. 
   According to a further development of the invention the base part can have a bottom for the connection of water supply pipes and optionally a pipe passing on further. This bottom can in particular be inserted in the base part and for this purpose a mounting support can be provided, e.g. a single shoulder, on which the bottom rests. 
   According to a further development of the invention the intermediate element, which is inserted in the base part, can have or form a bottom for the mixing device, e.g. a mixer cartridge. For the axial orientation of the intermediate element the base part can be internally provided with a shoulder, on which the intermediate element rests. 
   The housing, completely surrounding the base part, can optionally be fixed to the plate-like element, to which the base part is fitted. However, it is particularly favorable and is provided in a further development, for it to be fitted and optionally also fixed to the base part. 
   According to a further development of the invention the housing and/or the base part has a sleeve-like construction. 
   According to the invention the housing can be sealed relative to the base part. 
   According to another further development of the invention a sealed space between the casing and the base part is constructed as a water duct and consequently participates in the sanitary fitting function. 
   For example, the space between the housing and the base part can be used for implementing a connection to an outflow, which is in particular provided on or formed by the housing. 
   According to a further development of the invention the housing can be fixed in rotary manner to the base part and as a result it is e.g. possible to pivot the outflow. 
   The invention more particularly proposes the provision in the aforementioned receptacle of a mixer cartridge, which can be a standardized mixer cartridge. For the fixing of the mixer cartridge can be provided a box nut, which is e.g. screwed onto the base part and which not only secures, but also axially braces the mixer cartridge. The bracing of the mixer cartridge can be utilized for also bracing the bottom for fixing water pipes and/or the intermediate element and therefore for axially securing the same in the base part. 
   According to a further development of the invention a box nut is provided, which axially secures the housing on the base part, but which optionally still allows turning. 
   It can in particular be provided that the box nut for bracing the mixer cartridge is simultaneously used for axially securing the housing on the base part. 
   According to the invention, for fixing the sanitary fitting the latter can have a tubular element with an external thread inserted in and connected to the base part. The tubular element is advantageously connected to the base part in such a way that around it is formed a support shoulder located in one plane. The tubular element is passed through a corresponding opening of the plate-like element and is braced with the latter from the other side. 
   The fixing device can be constituted by a stay bolt inserted in the base part. 
   According to a further development of the invention it is possible to screw a collar, which additionally axially secures the housing on the base part, and can be located on the box nut securing the mixer cartridge. 
   According to another further development of the invention the base part is constructed in two portions, particularly arranged in an axial, reciprocal extension. This makes it possible to implement different functions, sizes or other changes and one of the two portions may optionally only assume an optical function. It is e.g. possible to produce higher fittings. 
   It is in particular possible for the two portions to be interchangeably retained on one another. 
   According to a further development of the invention one of the two portions of the base part has the mixer cartridge, e.g. in the above-described receptacle, whereas the other portion is a socket or pedestal part. The latter is mainly used for forming the bearing face on the surface to which fixing takes place. In particular, the pedestal part has the fixing device for the sanitary fitting. The connection between the fixing device, the pedestal part and the second part of the base housing can be constructed in such a way that the pedestal part can be omitted, so that the fixing device can be connected in the same way to the pedestal part or to the second portion of the base part. 
   In a further development the pedestal part can have additional functional parts of the sanitary fitting, e.g. operating devices, sensors for proximity electronics, Bowden wires for the plug lifter of the relief valve, etc. 
   However, it is in particular possible to provide for one of the two portions of the base part and in particular the pedestal part, to have a valve for shutting off or changing the position for a separate outlet. Said outlet can optionally pass to the outside through the pedestal part. However, it is particularly favorable if the connection to the outlet leads through the fitting onto the underside of the fixing face. Said valve can also be an appliance valve for a washing or rinsing machine. 
   The valve can provide a connection to water supply pipes upstream of the mixing devices of the sanitary fitting, e.g to the hot or cold water supply pipe. Optionally this can also take place in alternating manner. 
   It is also possible for the additional valve to provide a connection to the mixed water pipe of the sanitary fitting and for it to be located downstream of the mixer cartridge. 
   It is also possible for the pedestal part to have a connection for a month douche. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Features, details and advantages of the invention can be gathered from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein show: 
       FIG. 1  An axial section through a sanitary fitting according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  An axial section through a sanitary fitting according to a second embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  An axial section through a sanitary fitting according to a third embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  An axial section through a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  An axial section through a fitting with an additional valve. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The drawings diagrammatically illustrate the fitting of a sanitary fitting to a plate-like element and in the left-hand half of all the drawings is shown a relatively thick plate  1 , whereas a thin plate  2  is shown in the right-hand half. The type of bracing is similar for both plate types. 
   The sanitary fitting of  FIG. 1  contains a sleeve-like base part  3 . On starting from the top in  FIG. 1 , it contains an externally circular cylindrical area emanating from a planar front end, to which is connected a second, externally circular cylindrical area with a reduced diameter. At the lower end the diameter present at the upper end is again assumed. The reduced diameter area is sealed from the remaining end regions by a circumferential seal  4 . The lower front face of the base part  1 , which also has a circumferential seal  5 , has a planar construction and forms a bearing face with which the base part  3  rests on the top of the plate  1  or  2 . 
   Once again starting from the top, the base part  3  has on the inside a circular cylindrical receptacle  6  for a mixer cartridge  7  shown in simplified form. The receptacle  6  is bounded by a shoulder  8 , which is formed in that at this point the internal diameter of the base part  3  is reduced. To the shoulder  8  is connected a cylindrical inner space  9 , which is bounded by a circumferential ring shoulder  10 . The ring shoulder  10  is formed by an inwardly projecting rib  11 . Below the rib  11  a tubular element  12  is inserted in to the base part  3  and is e.g. screwed, welded or soldered to the base part  3 . The tubular element projects well above the lower bearing face of the base part  3 . The tubular element  12  has an external thread  13 . 
   On the ring shoulder  10  is placed a bottom  14 , which has connecting nipples for the supply pipes  15 ,  16 . Each of the ends of the supply pipes  15 ,  16  is inserted in a nipple  17 , which is constructed as a cylindrical sleeve and has on its outside two grooves for receiving in each case one seal. The nipple  17  is seated in a stepped hole of the bottom  14  in such a way that one of the two seals seals it with respect to the bottom  14 . The nipple  17  projects so far over the top of the bottom  14  that the other seal engages in a stepped hole of an intermediate element  18  located above the same and seals it with respect to said intermediate element. 
   On the bottom  14  in the base part  3  is inserted from above the intermediate element  18 , which has in the vicinity of its lower end the aforementioned component cooperating with the connecting nipple  17  of the supply pipes  15 ,  16 . It is not readily apparent from  FIG. 1  how this intermediate element  18  is constructed. However, it is clear that said intermediate element fits into the region of the base part  3  with the reduced internal diameter and that its axial position is determined by the fact that a bottom  19  located at its upper end rests on the shoulder  8 . However, without resting on the shoulder, the intermediate element can be pressed by the cartridge onto the bottom  14  and can consequently fix the same. The component  18  contains a few connecting channels, in order to produce the connection between the supply pipes  15 ,  16  and the mixer cartridge  7 . The bottom  19  located at the upper end of the intermediate element  18  and which is sealed from the inside of the component  3 , forms the bottom for the mixer cartridge  7 . 
   Between the intermediate element  18  and the inside of the base part  3  is provided an intermediate space  20 , which can be entered by water e.g. leaving the mixer cartridge  7 . An opening  21  in the base part  3  leads outwards from the space  20 . 
   On the cylindrical outside of the base part  3  is engaged from above a housing  22 , which optionally with a small or also large spacing surrounds the outside of the base part  3 . The housing can be sealed with respect to the base part  3  by seals  4 . By reducing the external diameter of the base part  3  in the area between the two circumferential seals, a space  23  is formed there between the base part  3  and the housing  22  into which water passes through the opening  21 . Thus, in the embodiment shown, said space is constructed as a water passage. 
   The housing  22  has in an area, which corresponds to said sealed space, an opening  24  which leads into an outflow spout  25  which, only partly shown in the drawing, leads to an outflow. By rotating the housing  22  with respect to the base part  3 , the outflow  25  can be rotated about the rotation axis of the base part  3 . 
   For securing the mixer cartridge  7  in the receptacle  6  of the base part  3  is provided a box nut  26 , which is screwed into a thread of the end region of receptacle  6 . The box nut  26  has an outer flange  27 , which radially projects over the outside of the base part  3 . On bracing the mixer cartridge  7  in the base part  3 , the intermediate element  18  is also braced against the shoulder  8  or bottom  14 . As a result of the radial projection of the outer flange  27 , there is also an axial securing of the housing  22  on the base part  3 . However, this axial securing is not a bracing action, because in the embodiment shown the housing  22  can be rotated relative to the base part  3 . However, versions do exist, e.g. for wash basins, in which the housing does not rotate relative to the base part. 
   In the vicinity of the underside of the base part  3  the housing  22  rests on a shoulder of said base part  3 , so that its underside is roughly flush with the bearing face of part  3 . In the case of a rotatable housing there must be a gap between the surface of the component to which the fitting is fixed and the said housing. This prevents a scraping of the housing on the surface. 
   In order to operate the mixer cartridge an operating element  28 , which is not further illustrated, is provided. The mixer cartridge can have a thermostatic or mechanical temperature control. 
   For fixing the fitting to the plate  1  or  2  a nut  29  is screwed onto the outer thread  13  of the tubular element  12  and said nut has several axially directed tapped holes. Into each of the tapped holes is screwed a screw  30 . Between the screws  30  and the underside of the plate  1  or  2  are placed two flat rings  31 , which are intended to distribute the pressure exerted by the screws  30 . By tightening the screws  30  the fitting is braced with the plate  1  or  2 . With respect to the right-hand side of the drawings in connection with the fixing an intermediate element  32  is inserted between the rings  31  and the plate  2  and this forms a larger working surface for the thinner plate. 
   The embodiment according to  FIG. 2  differs from that according to  FIG. 1  in that in place of a rigid supply pipe a supply hose  33  is used, which is connected in similar manner with the aid of a nipple  17  to the bottom and the intermediate element  18 ′. A different intermediate element  18 ′ is used. The remaining parts of the fitting are the same or similar, so that they will not be described again. 
   A comparison of  FIGS. 1 and 2  reveals that the base part  3  and housing  22  are identical in both embodiments and the bottom  14  can also be identical. The nature of the fixing to the plate  1  or  2  is also identical. The only part which differs in connection with the two fittings is the intermediate element  18  and optionally the bottom  14 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 3  a third intermediate element  18 ″ is used, which in this case contains a valve  34  for a hose sprinkler or shower. The construction of the valve  34  is such that it is automatically reset in the case of a pressure drop. It is clear that it is only necessary to replace the intermediate element  18  and optionally the bottom  14  for the supply pipes  15 ,  16  in order to bring about a different behavior or obtain a different sanitary fitting. 
   The bottom  14  could also be constructed in one piece (integrally) with the base part. In the case of a loose bottom it can optionally be connected to the intermediate part by locking connections and can be fitted together with the connecting pipes as a subassembly. It would also be possible to connect in the same way the mixer cartridge with the intermediate part. 
   It is clear from what has been stated hereinbefore that the sanitary fitting according to the invention can be converted by the replacement of a few parts into a sanitary fitting with a different behavior or with different connection possibilities. By replacing the housing  22  it is also possible to achieve a different fitting appearance, e.g. a different housing shape or color. 
     FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the sanitary fitting proposed by the invention. The base part  3  is in this case formed by two portions  3   a ,  3   b  arranged in an axial extension. The portion  3   a  contains the receptacle for the mixer cartridge  7  and the intermediate bottom  14 , in which are located the nipples for the supply hoses  15 . The base part still comprises a pedestal portion  3   b , which rests on the surface of the fixing plate. The pedestal portion  3   b  contains a bore with an internal thread into which is screwed the fixing pipe  12 . In an extension of the bore receiving the fixing pipe  12  the pedestal portion  3   b  contains a lug  37  with an external thread corresponding to the external thread of the fixing pipe  12 . With said lug  37  the pedestal portion  3   b  is screwed into the portion  3   a  of the base part. This means that the pedestal portion  3   b  could also be omitted, because the fixing pipe  12  could also be directly screwed into the base part  3 . 
   The upper portion  3   a  is located on a shoulder of the pedestal portion  3   b . The outside of the pedestal portion  3   b  is approximately aligned with the outside of portion  3   a . As indicated in the drawing, the housing  22  is constructed in such a way that it surrounds on all sides both the portion  3   a  and the pedestal portion  3   b  of the base part  3 . 
   It would also be conceivable to provide the pedestal portion  3   b  with a larger external diameter and to allow the housing  22  only to extend up to the shoulder of the pedestal portion  3   b.    
   In the embodiment shown the pedestal portion  3   b  merely extends the fitting, which can e.g. be desirable for optical or design reasons. It is also possible and is proposed by the invention that the pedestal portion  3   b  takes over further functions, e.g. receives an additional device. It would e.g. be possible to house an appliance valve for a washing or rinsing machine or also an operating device for the plug lifter of the drain valve in the said pedestal portion  3   b . It would also be possible for it to house sensors for a proximity electronics or other miscellaneous sensors. 
   The box nut  36  is constructed in such a way that it only secures the mixer cartridge  7  in the base part  3   a . The box nut  36  has an external thread which is still accessible after the securing of the cartridge. Onto said external thread is screwed a collar  38 , whose edge  39  projects radially over the base part  3  and consequently secures the housing  22  against an upward raising. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the construction of said sanitary fitting is similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 , so that only the differences will be explained. 
   Once again the base part is constructed from two portions arranged in a mutual axial extension, whereof the pedestal portion  30  now has a different interior. However, its external dimensions are similar to those of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , i.e. it can be screwed into the identical second portion  3   a  of part  3 . The fixing of the plate with the aid of a threaded sleeve takes place in the same way as in the preceding embodiments. 
   The pedestal  30  contains a check valve  31 , which makes it possible to produce a connection between the cold water supply pipe, which leads into a duct  32 , and an additional outlet  33 . This additional outlet  33 , which is a copper pipe in the embodiment shown, leads through the fixing opening and the fitting to the lower side of the wash basin plate to which fixing has taken place. On the back of the pedestal  30  remote from the outflow spout is provided an operating handle  34  for the check valve  31 . It is in fact a clamp handle, which can be turned about an axis running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fitting. The check valve  31  is used e.g. for supplying water to a rinsing machine. It can optionally also be constructed as a check and changeover valve, so that the user can choose whether he wishes to supply his rinsing or washing machine initially with hot water or with cold water. 
   It is also conceivable to construct the valve in such a way that it is supplied with mixed water downstream of the mixer cartridge. Several valves could be optionally provided in place of the single check valve  31 . 
   In the pedestal part can be provided an additional connection, which leads roughly radially out of said part. It is here possible to e.g. connect a mouth douche.