Patent Publication Number: US-8122533-B2

Title: Device for actuating an element of an item of sanitary ware and method of fitting a button of a device for actuating an element of an item of sanitary ware

Description:
The invention relates to a device for actuating an element of an item of sanitary ware, having a housing which comprises an opening in which a button is fixed on a receiving part mounted movably in the housing. The invention additionally relates to a method of fitting a button of a device for actuating an element of an item of sanitary ware, the button being inserted into an opening in a housing and fixed to a receiving part. 
     EP 1 703 027 A belonging to the applicant discloses a device for actuating the outlet valve of a bathtub. This device has an overflow housing, which has an overflow opening in which a receiving part is mounted. On the receiving part there is positioned a button, which projects at least partially into said overflow opening. By pressing the button, the outlet valve may be opened and closed by means of an actuating element. When the outlet valve is closed, the touch surface of the button is substantially flush with an outer surface of the overflow housing. The receiving part has a pin, onto which the button is snapped. With this device it can be difficult to ensure the desired flushness of the button. 
     The object of the invention is to provide a device of said type, in which the button may be more simply and accurately positioned in the opening in the housing. The device is nonetheless intended to be structurally simple and functionally reliable. 
     The object is achieved with a device of the above type in that a fitting aid is provided, with which the button may be introduced into the opening in the housing and positioned in a recessed manner therein as well as fixed to the receiving part. The device according to the invention thus comprises a fitting aid. This is used to introduce the button into the opening in the housing. In addition, with this fitting aid the button is positioned in the opening in a recessed position. In this position, the button is fixed with the fitting aid to the receiving part. The receiving part preferably has a plurality of fixing positions, such that the button may be fixed to the receiving part accurately and in particular flush with the outside of the housing irrespective of tolerance deviations. The button may in particular be fixed to the receiving part in such a way that it is fully recessed in said opening in such a way that a front of the button is flush with a front of the device. In principle, however, other positioning is also possible, in which for example the front of the button is arranged deeper or less deep relative to a front of the device. 
     The device serves in particular to actuate the outlet valve of a bathtub. However, the valve may also be another valve, for example the outlet valve of a cistern or of a washbasin. 
     The button is moved axially in said opening in the housing to actuate the valve. In principle, however, other movement is also possible, for example a turning movement of the button. 
     According to one further development of the invention, for fitting purposes the button may be positioned in a predetermined position on the fitting aid. To this end, the fitting aid has slots, for example, into which laterally projecting wings on the button may be inserted. The button is thus additionally fitted non-rotatably on the fitting aid. By means of the accurate positioning of the button on the fitting aid, said button may accordingly be accurately introduced into and positioned in the opening in the housing. 
     According to one further development of the invention, to position the button the fitting aid may be placed against a front of the device. This front is formed in particular by a rosette surrounding the opening. The fitting aid is in particular placed flat against this rosette. This enables simple and nonetheless accurate and reliable positioning. 
     According to one further development of the invention, said fitting aid may be used as building protection and to this end inserted removably into said opening. The fitting aid is in particular inserted into said opening prior to fitting of the button and protects the device during the building phase. In particular it provides protection for the rosette, which may for example be chromium-plated on the outside. 
     According to one further development of the invention, the button may be snapped onto the fitting aid. This enables particularly simple and reliable positioning of the button on the fitting aid. The snap connection may be undone, such that, after fitting of the button, the fitting aid may be simply removed from the button again. 
     According to one further development of the invention, the receiving part comprises at least one set of teeth, which enables the button to be fixed in the opening at different depth positions. The button then comprises a matching set of teeth. The set of teeth here consists for example of an axially extending row of teeth, which extends around part of the circumference of the receiving part. In particular, two opposing rows of teeth are provided here. The button may then be positioned in a predetermined rotational position on the receiving part and turned through for example 60° in the intended position. The set of teeth then engage in one another and enable axial securing. The button may additionally be snapped onto the receiving part. The receiving part may be provided, in an appropriate position in the row of teeth, with a snap-in rib for example, which engages in a groove in the button. Preferably, such snap-in ribs are likewise provided opposite one another. This snap connection is likewise independent of depth, i.e. the button may be snapped in place at any depth position. This connection also enables simple detaching of the button, which could thus if necessary be detached again and re-positioned with the fitting aid. 
     According to one further development of the invention, provision is made for the fitting aid to be detached from the button after fitting thereof by pressing on the button. In particular, provision is made for the button to be moved further into the opening for this purpose. In the process, for example, a snap connection between the fitting aid and the button is undone, such that the fitting aid may ultimately simply be taken off the button again. 
     The fitting aid is preferably a simple plastics part, which has a tubular part insertable into the opening and a collar arranged thereon. The collar serves in positioning the fitting aid, in particular on a rosette. The tubular part serves to accommodate the button. In particular, the button is fixed for rotation to this tubular part, such that this button may be turned to fix it to the receiving part. 
     The method according to the invention is characterized in that, for fitting purposes, the button is positioned on a fitting aid and is introduced with the latter into said opening and positioned therein as well as being fixed to the receiving part arranged in the opening. The essential feature here too is accurate positioning of the button in the opening with the assistance of the fitting aid. In this predetermined position, the button is fixed to the receiving part. 
     To position the button in said opening, the fitting aid is preferably placed against a front of the device. In particular, the fitting aid has to this end a radially projecting collar, with which said front of the device may be covered. 
     Connection of the button to the receiving part here proceeds in particular by a turning movement, with teeth on the button engaging in teeth on the receiving part. 
     Further advantageous features are revealed by the dependent claims, the description which follows and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a section through the device fitted on the wall of a bathtub here merely outlined, the button and the fitting aid having been omitted, 
         FIG. 2  shows a section through the button, 
         FIG. 3  shows a section through the fitting aid, 
         FIG. 4  is a three-dimensional view of the device according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 5  is a three-dimensional view of the button, 
         FIG. 6  is a three-dimensional view of the fitting aid, 
         FIG. 7  shows a section according to  FIG. 1 , but with fitted button, 
         FIG. 8  shows a horizontal section through the device according to the invention with fitted button and positioned fitting aid, 
         FIG. 9  shows a further section through the device according to the invention according to  FIG. 8  and 
         FIG. 10  is a three-dimensional view of the receiving part. 
     
    
    
     According to  FIG. 1 , the device  1  has a housing  5 , which is fixed behind an opening  4  in a wall  3 , of which only portions are shown here, of a bathtub  2 . Fixing proceeds by means of a rosette  12 , which engages with a tubular shank  19 , comprising an external thread  20 , in an opening  14  in the housing  5 . Between the housing  5  and the rosette  12  there is arranged a seal  17 , which surrounds the opening  4  in the wall  3  and which is connected to a flange  16  of the housing  5 . 
     At the rear the housing  5  has a removable cover  13  and a downwards projecting connecting piece  9 , which is connectable to a pipe not shown here, which connects the device  1  to an outlet pipe not shown here. The rosette  12  forms an overflow opening  11 , through which water may flow out of the tub  2  into the connecting piece  9  and ultimately into the abovementioned outlet pipe. The overflow opening  11  is intended to prevent the tub  2  from overflowing when it is being filled with water. 
     A lever  6  of an actuating device is mounted in the housing  5 , which lever is connected to a receiving part  8  via a joint  7 . According to  FIG. 7 , a button  15 , which is in particular a push button, is positioned on the receiving part  8 . By pressing the button  15 , the lever  6  may be swiveled, so actuating the outlet valve arranged at the base of the wall  3  but not shown here. To this end, the lever  6  is connected in a manner known per se via the Bowden cable  21  indicated in  FIG. 8  to the closing member of the outlet valve. To guide the Bowden cable  21 , a guide  10  is arranged on the housing  5 . Suitable switching devices which allow simple actuation of the outlet valve are also known to the person skilled in the art. By pressing the button  15 , the outlet valve may then be opened and closed. The valve is not necessarily an outlet valve of a bathtub, it may also be another valve of an item of sanitary ware or another element requiring actuation. 
     According to  FIG. 10 , the receiving part  8  is of sleeve-like construction and has on the inside a transversely extending bar-type driver  22 , which is connected in an articulated manner to the lever  6 . Arranged diagonally opposite one another on the outside of the receiving part  8  are two sets of teeth  23  and in each case one snap-in rib  24 . The snap-in ribs  24  and the sets of teeth  23  extend axially, i.e. in the direction in which the receiving part  8  is moved to actuate the valve. The bar-type driver  22  may here for example be snapped onto the lever  6 . 
     The button  15  has a substantially cylindrical hollow button base member  25 , onto which a cap  26  is positioned, for example snapped. The button  15  could in principle also be of one-piece construction, however. The button base member  25  has two opposing sets of teeth  27  on the inside  37 , which engage in the sets of teeth  23  of the receiving part  8  when the button  15  is fixed in place. Matching the snap-in ribs  24  on the receiving part  8 , snap-in grooves  43  are arranged on the inside of the button base member  25 . When the button  15  is fixed in place, the snap-in ribs  24  are snapped into these snap-in grooves  43 . The sets of teeth  23  and  27  form rows of teeth, which extend axially, i.e. in the direction of movement of the button  15 , as shown in particular in  FIG. 2 . 
     On a circumferential surface  31  of the button base member  25  there are arranged four radially outwardly projecting wings  28 , which each engage in a slot  29  in the cap  26 , as  FIG. 5  shows. The cap  26  is thus positioned on the button base member  25  in a non-rotatable manner. The cap  26  has at the front a touch surface  30 , by which the button  15  may be manually depressed. The wings  28  are constructed in such a way that they guide the button  15  displaceably in the overflow opening. The button  15  is thus supported axially displaceably in the overflow opening  11  and at the same time laterally in the shank  19 . 
     The button  15  is fixed to the receiving part  8  by inserting it into the overflow opening  11  and turning it about its axis. On insertion of the button  15 , the sets of teeth  27  are disposed next to the sets of teeth  23  of the receiving part  8  when viewed in the circumferential direction. If the button  15  is turned, the sets of teeth  27  engage in the sets of teeth  23  and the button  15  is finally snapped together with the snap-in ribs  24 . The angle of rotation amounts for example to approx. 60°. Since the sets of teeth  23  and  27  and the snap-in ribs  24  and the snap-in grooves  43  extend axially, the button  15  may be connected to the receiving part  8  in different axial positions. 
     To fix the button  15  to the receiving part  8 , the fitting aid  36  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6  is provided. This has a tubular shank  38 , on which there is formed a radially outwardly projecting collar  18 . The shank  38  has four slots  39  as well as snap-in ribs  40  at the front end on the inside. The button  15  may be connected detachably to the fitting aid  36 , it being inserted with the cap  26  into a passage  41  in the shank  38  in such a way that the wings  28  engage in the slots  39 . If the wings  28  are inserted fully into the slots  39 , the button  15  is snapped into the shank  38  by the snap-in rib  40 , as  FIG. 8  shows. The button  15  is thus inserted into the passage  41  in a predetermined position and connected non-rotatably to the shank  38 . 
     On a front  34  of the fitting aid  36  there is arranged an extension  32 , which has two laterally radially projecting grips  42 . By means of the extension  32  and the two grips  42 , the fitting aid  36  with the button  15  in place may be gripped and introduced into the overflow opening  11 . The button  15  has reached the intended depth position as soon as the collar  18  rests on a front face  35  of the rosette  12 . The collar  18  of the rosette  12  is then completely accommodated by a cavity  33  in the collar  18 . Once the fitting aid  36  has been placed against the rosette  12 , it is turned using the grips  42 , wherein the sets of teeth  27  of the button  15  come into engagement with the sets of teeth  23  of the receiving part  8  and the end position is finally reached by snapping of the ribs  24  into the snap-in grooves  43 . Using the fitting aid  36 , the button  15  is thus connected to or snapped together with the receiving part  8  in the intended depth position. 
       FIG. 8  shows the fitting aid  36  in the position in which it is placed against the rosette  12 . The button  15  is here connected to the receiving part  8 . The fitting aid  36  may then be removed again. To this end, the button  15  is pressed inwards, such that the snap connection between the fitting aid  36  and the button  15  is undone. The button  15  is fixed to the receiving part  8  in such a way that the touch surface  30  is flush with the front face  35  of the rosette  12 , as  FIGS. 7 and 8  show. 
     The fitting aid  36  may be positioned on the rosette  12  as building protection prior to fitting of the button  15 . In this way, the rosette  12  in particular may be protected against damage. When the button  15  is finally to be fitted on completion of building, the fitting aid  36  is removed from the rosette  12  and the button  15  is fixed to the fitting aid  36  as explained above. Fixing of the button  15  proceeds as explained above. The fitting aid  36  may ultimately be used for further fitting or disposed of. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 List of reference numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Actuating device 
               
               
                 2 
                 Bathtub 
               
               
                 3 
                 Wall 
               
               
                 4 
                 Opening 
               
               
                 5 
                 Housing 
               
               
                 6 
                 Lever 
               
               
                 7 
                 Joint 
               
               
                 8 
                 Receiving part 
               
               
                 9 
                 Connecting piece 
               
               
                 10 
                 Guide 
               
               
                 11 
                 Overflow opening 
               
               
                 12 
                 Rosette 
               
               
                 13 
                 Housing cover 
               
               
                 14 
                 Housing opening 
               
               
                 15 
                 Button 
               
               
                 16 
                 Flange 
               
               
                 17 
                 Seal 
               
               
                 18 
                 Collar 
               
               
                 19 
                 Shank 
               
               
                 20 
                 Thread 
               
               
                 21 
                 Bowden cable 
               
               
                 22 
                 Driver 
               
               
                 23 
                 Set of teeth 
               
               
                 24 
                 Snap-in rib 
               
               
                 25 
                 Button base member 
               
               
                 26 
                 Cap 
               
               
                 27 
                 Set of teeth 
               
               
                 28 
                 Wings 
               
               
                 29 
                 Slot 
               
               
                 30 
                 Touch surface 
               
               
                 31 
                 Circumferential surface 
               
               
                 32 
                 Extension 
               
               
                 33 
                 Cavity 
               
               
                 34 
                 Front 
               
               
                 35 
                 Front face 
               
               
                 36 
                 Fitting aid 
               
               
                 37 
                 Inside 
               
               
                 38 
                 Shank 
               
               
                 39 
                 Slot 
               
               
                 40 
                 Snap-in rib 
               
               
                 41 
                 Passage 
               
               
                 42 
                 Grip 
               
               
                 43 
                 Snap-in groove