Method For Mounting A Shower And Mounting System For Carrying Out The Method

The invention relates to a method for the installation of a shower and an installation system for the implementation of the method. The method comprises the following steps: arranging at least one installation frame at a wall, with the wall being arranged at a water supply device; providing at least one side wall, with the side wall having at first side and a second side; arranging the first side of the side wall at the installation frame; arranging a shower fixture at the second side of the side wall, and guiding at least one water line from the water supply device to the shower fixture; as well as arranging a shower base plate showing a drain at a floor, which abuts the wall, and arranging the drain of the shower base plate at a floor drain.

The invention relates to a method for the installation of a shower and an installation system for the implementation of the method. For example, the method according to the invention and the installation system according to the invention are used for the installation of the shower in a room of an apartment, a house, and/or transportation means. For example, the transportation means may be embodied as a motor vehicle, a train, a ship, and/or an aircraft.

A method of prior art for the assembly of a shower in a room comprises numerous preparatory steps before the actual side walls of a shower can be installed. For example, in the method of prior art walls of a room abutting the shower are generally covered expensively with ceramic tiles. The same applies frequently for the floor of the shower. Additionally or alternatively, in the method of prior art it is provided to use a shower base, which is limited by later assembled side walls of the shower. Further, at least one water supply and at least one drainage connection must be installed in an expensive fashion. Usually it is provided to arrange a shower fixture at the previously tiled wall. The openings at the wall required for this purpose must be produced with great precision and after the installation of the shower fixture at least partially sealed again. Sometimes it takes days or even weeks until a shower is installed with the method of prior art. Accordingly, the method of prior art is quite time consuming.

When the method of prior art is used during the renovation of a bathroom in which a shower is already provided, it becomes even more time consuming. First, the existing shower is removed, and then all of the above-mentioned processing steps of the method of prior art are performed. In particular when renovating bathrooms of guest rooms in a hotel, the execution of the method of prior art is disadvantageous when exchanging old showers for new ones. The use of guest rooms in which the bathrooms are renovated with the method of prior art is impossible during the time of the renovation process. Very frequently, the hotel must be closed entirely until the showers have been removed and exchanged for new showers in all bathrooms of the guest rooms.

The invention is based on the objective to provide a method for the installation of a shower and an installation system for the execution of the method by which an exchange of an old shower for a new shower requires little time and can be performed efficiently.

According to the invention, this objective is attained in a method for the installation of a shower comprising the features of claim1. An installation system for the assembly of a shower, particularly for executing the method according to the invention, is disclosed in the features of claim9. Additional features of the invention are discernible from the following description, the attached claims, and the attached drawings.

In the method according to the invention, at least one installation frame is arranged at a wall of a room. The room is for example a room of an apartment, a house, and/or transportation means. For example, the transportation means are embodied as a motor vehicle, as a train, as a ship, or as an aircraft. It is not mandatory to prepare the wall of the room in any way. Rather, the installation frame can be fastened as a front-wall frame at the wall, allowing the wall to show any arbitrary condition. For example, the wall may still be covered with old wallpaper or old tiles.

For example, the installation frame is fastened via a threaded connection at the wall. The installation frame can for example also be formed from at least one polygonal profile or composed of several polygonal profiles. For example, the polygonal profile is a rectangular profile. The invention is not limited to the use of the installation frame with a rectangular profile, however. Rather, the installation frame may show any embodiment which is suitable for the invention. For example the assembly frame may also be embodied as a flat profile, with the flat profile showing thickness ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm. For example the installation frame is made from steel.

The wall is arranged at a water supply device. For example, the wall itself shows the water supply device. Alternatively it is provided that the water supply device is arranged distanced from the wall. For example, the distance ranges from 50 cm to 150 cm. In particular, it is provided that the installation frame is arranged around the water supply device. The water supply device is for example a shower head and water armatures of a shower to be exchanged.

In the method according to the invention, at least one side wall is provided. The side wall is for example embodied as a glass unit. In particular, it is provided to use a laminated safety glass unit to form the glass unit, comprising at least a first pane unit and at least a second pane unit, with the first pane unit being arranged at the second pane unit. The side wall comprises a first side and a second side, with the first side being distanced from the second side, and with the first side being arranged opposite the second side. For example, the distance of the first side of the side wall from the second side of the side wall ranges from 4 mm to 20 mm, and particularly amounts to 8 mm. The invention is however not limited to such a distance. Rather, the distance between the first side and the second side may be chosen as any arbitrary distance suitable for the invention.

The side wall is for example embodied in a transparent, semi-transparent, or non-transparent fashion. In order to yield a semi-transparent or non-transparent condition of the side wall, for example suitable films are arranged at the side wall.

In the method according to the invention, now the first side of the side wall is arranged at the installation frame. For this purpose for example angular fasteners are used. Alternatively or additionally, countersunk holes are formed in the side wall, which extend from the first side to the second side of the side wall. Fastening units, particularly threaded bolts, are guided through these countersunk holes, for example, and inserted into installation openings of the installation frame. Additionally or alternatively, for example at least one fastening insert is fastened between the first pane unit and the second pane unit of the side wall. For example, the fastening insert is accessible from the first side of the side wall. With the fastening insert the side wall can be suspended at the installation frame. Such fastening inserts are known for example from EP 2 190 665 B1, and the content disclosed therein is included in the disclosure of this patent application by way of reference. In other words, the disclosure of the present patent application covers the entire disclosure of EP 2 190 665 B1.

Now, the side wall covers for example the above-mentioned shower head and the water armatures of the old shower.

Further, it is provided in the method according to the invention that a shower fixture is arranged at the second side of the side wall. For example, the shower fixture is fastened at the second side of the side wall. Further, guidance is provided of at least one water line from the water supply device to the shower fixture. The water line is embodied for example as a flexible hose, particularly a flexible metal hose.

Further, it is provided in the method according to the invention that a shower base plate is arranged at the floor of the room. The floor abuts the wall. The shower base plate comprises a drain. Further, in the method according to the invention, the drain of the shower base plate is arranged at a floor drain such that used shower-water flows via the drain into the floor drain. For example, the drain of the shower base plate is connected to the floor drain. For this purpose, for example a pipe connection is provided. Additionally or alternatively, it is also provided here to arrange the drain of the shower base plate directly above the floor drain. Then, for example a direct material connection of the drain of the shower base plate with the floor drain can be foregone.

The invention shows the advantage that an exchange of an old shower for a new shower can now occur in less than 6 hours, with the disassembly of the old shower included here. The assembly of a new shower per se can be performed with the method according to the invention in less than 3 hours. In the method according to the invention it is not mandatory to perform time-consuming preparatory work, particularly tiling walls or floors. Rather, walls and floors may show any condition. The method according to the invention can be used regardless. With the method according to the invention, it is possible to rather quickly exchange old showers for new ones. This way, for example guest rooms of a hotel and their bathrooms, in which new showers are installed for example with the method according to the invention, become rather quickly ready to use for hospitality.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that the adjustment of the height of the shower base plate occurs with the use of at least one height-adjustable foot, which is arranged at the shower base plate and which cooperates with the floor. For example, at least two, at last three, or at least four height-adjustable feet are arranged at the shower base plate, which respectively cooperate with the floor. By the adjustment capability of the height of the shower base plate here, the shower base plate can be adjusted to any floor height. In particular, the shower base plate can be arranged flush and in one level in reference to the existing floor such that a continuous floor area is yielded. This is particularly advantageous for barrier-free showers.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that an arrangement of a shower groove occurs at the shower base plate. Further, an arrangement of a shower groove drain occurs at the drain of the shower base plate.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is additionally or alternatively provided that an adjustment of a height of the shower groove occurs with the use of at least one height-adjustable shower groove foot, which is arranged at the shower groove. For example, at least two, at least three, or at least four height-adjustable feet are arranged at the shower groove. By the adjustment capability of the height of the shower groove, the shower groove can be adjusted to any floor height. In particular, the shower groove can be arranged flush and in one level with the existing floor so that a continuous floor area is provided. This is particularly advantageous for barrier-free showers.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that a door is arranged at the side wall. For this purpose, for example at least one hinge or at least two hinges are used, with for example a first hinge part of a hinge being arranged at the side wall and a second hinge part of the hinge at the door. The door is embodied as a glass door, for example.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention it is additionally or alternatively provided that any closure of at least one opening of the shower occurs with at least one sealing means. For example, the seams of the shower are closed and/or sealed with at least one profiled part and/or with silicon.

As already mentioned above, in another embodiment of the method according to the invention, it may be provided additionally or alternatively that at least one fastening insert is arranged between two panes of the side wall to attach the side wall to the installation frame. Reference is made to the explanations stated above and made in the following.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that the side wall is embodied as a first side wall. The method according to the invention comprises additionally the following steps: Providing a second side wall as well as arranging the second side wall at the installation frame and/or the first side wall. With regards to the possibility for arrangement of the second side wall at the installation frame, reference is made to the explanations stated above, which are applicable here, too.

It is explicitly pointed out that the method steps named above and in the following can be performed in an arbitrary sequence, which is however suitable for the invention.

The invention also relates to an installation system for installing a shower, particularly for implementing a method comprising at least one of the above-mentioned or in the following mentioned features or a combination of at least two of the above or in the following mentioned features.

The installation system according to the invention comprises at least one installation frame to be arranged at a wall, with the wall being arranged at a water supply device. Further, at least one side wall is provided, with the side wall comprising a first side and a second side, with the first side being distanced from the second side and with the first side being arranged opposite the second side. The first side of the side wall is embodied to be attached to the installation frame.

Further, the installation system according to the invention comprises at least one shower fixture to be installed at the second side of the side wall. Further, at least one water line is provided to feed water from the water supply device to the shower fixture. The installation system according to the invention also comprises at least one shower base plate equipped with a drain for arrangement at a floor abutting the wall, with the drain of the shower base plate being embodied for a connection to a floor drain.

With regards to the characteristics and embodiment of the above-mentioned features of the installation system according to the invention, here too reference is made to statements made above. The above-mentioned explanations apply here, as well.

In one embodiment of the installation system according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that the shower base plate comprises at least one height-adjustable foot, which is arranged at the shower base plate and is embodied to cooperate with the floor.

In another embodiment of the installation system according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that the installation system comprises at least one shower groove to be arranged at the shower base plate and that the shower groove has at least one shower groove drain to be installed at the drain of the shower base plate.

In yet another embodiment of the installation system according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that the installation system comprises at least one door for assembly at the side wall.

In one embodiment of the installation system according to the invention it is provided additionally or alternatively that the installation system according to the invention comprises at least one sealing means for sealing at least one opening of the shower.

In another embodiment of the installation system according to the invention, it is provided additionally or alternatively that the installation system comprises at least one fastening insert arranged between two panes of the side wall for the attachment of the side wall at the installation frame. Such a fastening insert is known for example from EP 2 190 665 B1, and the content disclosed therein is included in the disclosure of this patent application in its entirety by way of reference. In other words, the disclosure of the present patent application includes the entire disclosure of EP 2 190 665 B1.

In yet another embodiment of the installation system according to the invention, the side wall is embodied as a first side wall. The installation system according to the invention comprises additionally at least one second side wall, which is embodied for the arrangement at the installation frame and/or the first side wall.

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention to install a shower.FIGS. 2 to 9show the installation system according to the invention for assembling a shower in the installed condition. In the following, the method according to the invention is explained. The explanation of the method according to the invention describes individual structural units of the installation system according to the invention, shown inFIGS. 2 to 9in the installed state.

In one method step S1, an arrangement of the installation frame1occurs at one wall3of a room2. The room2is for example a room of an apartment, a house, and/or transportation means. For example, the transportation means is embodied as a motor vehicle, a train, a ship, and/or an aircraft. It is not mandatory that the wall3of the room2is prepared for arranging the installation frame1. Rather, the installation frame1is fastened as a front-wall frame at the wall3, allowing the wall3to show any arbitrary condition. For example, the wall3may still be provided with old wallpaper and with old ceramic tiles of a shower to be replaced. For example, the wall3may also show a water supply device15of the old shower, whereas the old shower is to be replaced with the installation of a new shower using the method according to the invention. The water supply device15of the shower to be exchanged comprises for example a shower head and water armatures.

For example, the installation frame1may be fastened via threaded connections4at the wall3. The installation frame1may for example comprise at least one polygonal profile or several assembled polygonal profiles. For example, the polygonal profile is a rectangular profile. The invention is not limited to the use of an installation frame1showing a rectangular profile, however. Rather, the installation frame1may show any embodiment which is suitable for the invention. For example, the installation frame1may also be embodied as a flat profile, with the flat profile showing a thickness ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm. The installation frame1is particularly made from steel. Further, it is provided for example that the installation frame1shows cross-braces5.

In one method step S2, the arrangement of a first side wall6occurs to the installation frame1. In the embodiment of the method according to the invention explained here, the first side wall6is embodied as a glass unit, for example. In particular it is provided to use a laminated safety glass unit, which shows a first pane unit7and a second pane unit8. The first pane unit7is arranged at the second pane unit8.

The first side wall6comprises a first side9and a second side10. The first side9is a first exterior side of the first side wall6facing the wall3. However, the second side10is a second exterior side of the first side wall6facing the room2. The first side9is distanced from the second side10. Further, the first side9is arranged opposite the second side10. For example, the distance of the first side9of the first side wall6from the second side10of the first side wall6ranges from 4 mm to 20 mm, or amounts to 8 mm for example. However, the invention is not limited to such a distance. Rather, any distance may be selected between the first side9and the second side10which is suitable for the invention.

The first side wall6is for example embodied in a transparent, semi-transparent, or non-transparent fashion. In order to yield a semi-transparent or non-transparent state of the first side wall6, for example suitable films are arranged at the first side wall6.

In order to arrange the first side9of the first side wall6at the installation frame1, for example angular fasteners are used. Additionally or alternatively, countersunk holes are provided in the first side wall6, which extend from the first side9to the second side10of the first side wall6. For example, fastening units, particularly threaded bolts, are guided through the countersunk holes and inserted into installation openings of the installation frame1. Additionally or alternatively, for example at least one fastening insert11is fastened between the first pane unit7and the second pane unit8of the first side wall6. The fastening insert11is accessible from the first side9of the first side wall6. With the fastening insert11, the first side9of the first side wall6can be attached to the installation frame1. For example, the first side wall6may be fastened with additional threaded connections12, which cooperate with the fastening insert t11, at the installation frame1, particularly suspended there. As already explained above, such a fastening insert11is known from EP 2 190 665 B1, for example, and the content disclosed therein is included in its entirety by way of reference in the disclosure of the present patent application. In other words, the disclosure of the present patent application includes the entire disclosure of EP 2 190 665 B1. After the assembly to the installation frame1, the first side wall6covers the above-mentioned shower head and the water armatures of the old shower.

In one method step S3, a shower fixture is arranged at the second side10of the first side wall6. The shower fixture comprises in the embodiment shown here a shower head13and a mixing faucet14. Further, a guiding occurs whereby at least one water line16is laid from the water supply device15to the shower fixture, namely the shower head13and the mixing faucet14. The water line16is embodied for example as a flexible hose, particularly a flexible metal hose.

In a method step S4, the arrangement of a second side wall17occurs at the installation frame1. The second side wall17is arranged at an angle of essentially 90° in reference to the first side wall6. The second side wall17covers partially another wall18of the room2. For the arrangement of the second side wall17at the installation frame1or at the other wall18, for example angular fastening means19are used here. Additionally or alternatively, countersunk holes are formed in the second side wall17. For example fastening units, particularly threaded bolts, are guided through these countersunk holes and inserted into installation openings of the installation frame1, of a spacer at the other wall18, or the other wall18itself. Additionally or alternatively, the second side wall17comprises at least one fastening insert, as already explained above. With this fastening insert then the second side wall17is fastened at the other wall18or the spacer arranged at said other wall18.

In another method step S5, now a shower base plate20is arranged on a floor21of the room2. The floor21abuts the wall3and the other wall18. The shower base plate20comprises a drain. Further, in the method according to the invention, the arrangement of the drain of the shower base plate20occurs to a floor drain such that used shower water flows to the floor drain. For example, the drain of the shower base plate20is connected to the floor drain. Here, for example a pipe connection is provided. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided to arrange the drain of the shower base plate20directly above the floor drain. Thus, for example a direct material connection of the drain of the shower base plate20to the floor drain can be avoided.

In the method step S5, the adjustment of the height of the shower base plate20can occur with the use of height-adjustable feet22, which are arranged at the shower base plate20and cooperate with the floor21. For example, at least two, at least three, or at least four height-adjustable feet22are arranged at the shower base plate20, which respectively cooperate with the floor21. The adjustment capability of the height of the shower base plate20allows the adjustment of the shower base plate20to any floor height of the floor21. In particular, the shower base plate20can be arranged flush and in one level with the existing floor21such that a continuous floor area can be provided. This is particularly advantageous for a shower free from barriers.

In another method step S6, the arrangement of a shower groove23occurs to the shower base plate20. Further, an arrangement of a shower groove drain24occurs to the drain of the shower base plate20. In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is also provided that the adjustment of a height of the shower groove23occurs with the use of height-adjustable shower groove feet, which are arranged at the shower groove23. For example, at least two, at least three, or at least four height-adjustable feet are arranged at the shower groove23. Due to the possibility for height adjustment of the shower groove23here, the shower groove23can be adjusted to any floor height. In particular, the shower groove23can be arranged flush and at a level with the existing floor21such that a continuous floor area is provided. As already mentioned, this is particularly advantageous for showers free from barriers.

In a method step S7, now a door is arranged at the first side wall6, at the second side wall17, and/or at the installation frame1. In the embodiment of the method according to the invention shown here, a door is used which has a first door unit25. The first door unit25is fastened at the first side wall6and/or at the installation frame1, for example via angular fasteners26. Further, the door has a second door unit27, which is fastened at the second side wall17, for example via angular fasteners. Further, the door has a first door leaf28and a second door leaf29. The first door leaf28is connected via a first hinge30and a second hinge31in an articulate fashion to the first door unit25. Further, the second door leaf29is connected via a third hinge32and a fourth hinge33in an articulate fashion to the second door unit27.

The first door unit25, the second door unit27, the first door leaf28, and the second door leaf29are embodied as glass units, for example.

In another method step S8, the sealing of joints of the shower occurs with the use of sealing means, for example at least one profiled part and/or silicon.

The method according to the invention and the installation system according to the invention show the advantage that the assembly of the new shower can occur now in less than6hours, with here the demolition of the old shower being included. The installation of a new shower may be performed with the method according to the invention in less than 3 hours. Even when considering a drying time for sealing means of approx. 24 hours, the method according to the invention and the installation system according to the invention allow a considerably faster installation of a shower than known from prior art. In the method according to the invention, it is not mandatory to perform time-consuming preparatory work, particularly the tiling of walls or floors. Rather, the walls and floors may show any arbitrary condition. The method according to the invention remains applicable. With the method according to the invention, it is possible to exchange old showers for new showers in a rather fast fashion. Therefore, for example guest rooms of a hotel and their bathrooms, in which new showers are installed for example with the method according to the invention, are rather quickly available again for hospitality operations.

The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, in the drawings, as well as the claims can be used either individually or also in arbitrary combinations for implementing the invention in its various embodiments. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described. It may be varied within the scope of the claims and in consideration of the knowledge of the responsible expert.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

6first side wall

15water supply device

17second side wall

20shower base plate

25first door unit

27second door unit

28first door leaf

29second door leaf