EP3626141B2 - Separation wall of a shower cubicle or partition for a shower or bath - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a partition wall of a shower cubicle or a shower or bathtub partition.

Showers are often fitted with a partition wall to protect against splashes from the surrounding area. The partition wall can consist of a fixed glass wall element. The difficulty with the partition wall is often that the glass wall element of the partition wall has to be secured in an upright position. The partition wall is secured to a surrounding wall with a bracket. The glass wall element is held in the upright position by a further holding device that extends from the upper edge of the glass wall element to an adjacent surrounding wall and prevents the glass wall element from breaking out of the bracket, for example due to impacts against it.

Bathtub partitions are partition walls that are arranged on the edge of the bathtub and are attached to a surrounding wall on one side. The free end of the glass wall element is also held in place in these partitions by means of a holding device that extends to one of the surrounding walls.

The previously known partition walls can also be designed to be extendable. In this case, a guide rail can be arranged on an upper edge area of the fixed wall element, with at least one door leaf being guided on the guide rail with at least one drive. These partitions also use a holding device that extends to one of the surrounding walls, with the holding device being attached to the guide rail, for example.

Previously known holding devices are usually made of a metallic material to ensure the necessary stability. The holding device is usually designed as a rod. Many observers find such metallic rods unsightly, as they are arranged across the room in the observer's field of vision. Furthermore, the holding devices are exposed to splash water, so they have to be cleaned frequently. If the holding devices are chrome-plated, for example, to match other metallic objects in the bathroom, there is also the problem that they can be damaged by frequent cleaning, so that previously known holding devices can look unsightly after just a few years.

EP 3 028 616 A1 discloses all features of the preamble of claim 1.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a partition wall of the type mentioned at the outset, which is attached in an aesthetically pleasing manner and the problems mentioned with regard to the exposure of the holding device to splash water and its cleaning are avoided.

The partition wall according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 1.

In a partition wall according to the invention for a shower cubicle or a shower or bathtub partition, a fixed wall element is provided, as well as a guide rail. The guide rail is arranged on an upper edge region of the wall element, with at least one door leaf being guided in the guide rail with at least one drive. The guide rail can be fastened to a wall at a first end in the longitudinal direction by means of a wall connector. The invention is characterized in that the guide rail, when fastened to the wall, protrudes freely beyond the wall element in the longitudinal direction distal from the first end. It has been found that by providing a wall connector with which the guide rail can be fastened to the wall, and by arranging the guide rail at the upper edge region of the wall element, sufficient stability is provided to allow the guide rail to protrude freely beyond the wall element in the longitudinal direction, i.e. that the guide rail does not require any further fastening distal from the first end. A holding device as used in the prior art is therefore not necessary. In other words: the guide rail protrudes distally from the first end over the wall element in a cantilever shape. This makes it possible to create an aesthetically pleasing partition wall, as the annoying holding device, which is arranged across the room in the viewer's field of vision, can be dispensed with. This also avoids problems that arise due to the frequent need to clean the holding device.

According to the invention, the guide rail is attached to the upper edge area of the wall element, for example by clamping it. By attaching the guide rail itself to the upper edge area of the wall element, the guide rail is additionally supported. Apart from the wall connector, an additional holding device, which takes up additional space and can be perceived as aesthetically disturbing, can be dispensed with. It is also possible for the guide rail to be attached to the upper edge area of the wall element using fastening elements such as screws. The guide rail can be formed in one piece.

The wall element and/or the at least one door leaf can be made of glass, for example. Of course, the wall element and/or the door leaf can also be made of other, preferably transparent materials, such as, for example, preferably transparent plastics.

Preferably, the guide rail protrudes freely over the wall element by up to 70%, preferably up to 60%, particularly preferably up to 50% of its total length. In this way, By appropriately designing the wall element and the at least one door leaf, a partition wall can be created which offers a splash guard which, when extended, extends longitudinally over a length which is up to twice or more the length when retracted.

This provides, for example, sufficient space for getting into the bathtub or shower and the desired splash protection is achieved by pulling out the partition wall by moving at least one door leaf.

According to the invention, the wall connector has a first fastening section that engages in or acts on the guide rail and the first fastening section can be fastened to the wall. The wall connector can be connected to the guide rail in various ways, for example via a positive and/or a non-positive connection.

It can be provided that the first fastening section and the guide rail form a positive connection in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. The positive connection between the fastening section and the guide rail in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail ensures that forces are transferred in all directions of this plane from the guide rail to the first fastening section and thus to the wall connector. As a result, loads that act on the at least one door leaf and/or the wall element and are transferred to the guide rail are advantageously transferred from the wall connector to the wall. In addition, the positive connection in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail advantageously transfers a torsional moment acting on the guide rail from the guide rail to the wall connector. The torsional moment acting on the guide rail has a moment vector that extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. If, for example, the door leaf is subjected to a load when it is pulled out, a torsional moment can be introduced into the guide rail, which is then advantageously transferred to the wall via the first fastening section and the wall connector. This prevents the guide rail and/or the wall element from accidentally coming loose from their fastened position.

The partition wall according to the invention can have a floor guide for the at least one door leaf, wherein the floor guide is arranged at least partially next to a lower edge region of the wall element opposite the upper edge region of the wall element.

Preferably, the guide rail has a rib extending in the longitudinal direction and the first fastening section engages in the guide rail in the longitudinal direction and surrounds the rib. This advantageously creates a positive connection between the first fastening section and the guide rail.

It can further be provided that the guide rail has at least two grooves extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the rib separates the grooves.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the first fastening section has several projections that engage in the grooves of the guide rail. By means of the projections, it can be advantageously achieved that the wall connector is connected to the guide rail in a form-fitting manner.

In this case, a groove into which one of the projections engages can be the groove which forms a track of the guide rail for the drive of at least one door leaf.

It can also be provided that the guide rail has at least one contoured groove extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first fastening section engages in the contoured groove with at least one projection in the longitudinal direction, wherein the projection has a shape adapted to the contoured groove. The contoured groove basically has a cross section with at least one undercut. The contoured groove can be a T-slot or a dovetail groove, for example. It is also possible for the contoured groove to have an L-shaped, S-shaped or curved band-shaped cross section. Since the projection is adapted to the contoured groove, the desired positive connection is advantageously formed.

Preferably, at least one of the projections extends partially in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail and is fastened in the guide rail. For example, the projection can be fastened in a clamping manner, for example via a clamping block. This advantageously provides fastening of the guide rail in the longitudinal direction.

According to the invention, the wall connector has a second fastening section which is fastened to the outside of the guide rail, preferably the top of the guide rail, and can be fastened to the wall. In this way, a particularly stable fastening of the guide rail to the wall is possible by means of the wall connector.

It can be provided that the second fastening section has a first fastening part which extends parallel to the guide rail and via which the second fastening section is fastened to an upper side of the guide rail, and a second fastening part which extends horizontally next to the guide rail and can be fastened to the wall, with a connecting part connecting the first and the second fastening part. Such a design of the second fastening section has proven to be particularly advantageous, with the fastening of the second fastening section to the upper side the guide rail and on the wall in a simple manner. Furthermore, forces in the horizontal direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail can advantageously be absorbed via the connecting part. Due to this construction, the connecting part runs at least partially at an acute angle to the guide rail, preferably in a horizontal plane. Preferably, the first fastening part extends in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the guide rail with a width B that is greater than or equal to the width b of the guide rail. By means of the second fastening part, it is thus possible for the guide rail to be fastened to the wall over an extension in the horizontal direction in the wall plane that is significantly wider than the width of the guide rail. Furthermore, advantageous support of the guide rail can be achieved via the second fastening part, since it extends relatively far in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. A particularly stable fastening of the guide rail to the wall is thus possible using the wall connector according to the invention. Under ideal installation conditions, the longitudinal direction of the guide rail extends orthogonal to the wall plane.

Preferably, the connecting part is designed as a triangular plate. This allows the connecting part and thus the second fastening section of the wall connector to be produced in an advantageous manner. For example, it can be provided that the first and second fastening parts of the second fastening section are bent from the connecting part. This means that at least the second fastening section of the wall connector can be produced in a simple manner by bending processes.

The guide rail can, for example, be made of an aluminum material. The wall connector can be made at least partially of steel.

Preferably, the wall connector has a first fastening piece and a second fastening piece, the first fastening piece forming the first fastening section and the second fastening piece forming the second fastening section. In other words, the wall connector is designed in two pieces. This offers particular advantages when mounting the guide rail on the wall, since, for example, the first fastening piece can be fastened to the guide rail on the wall first and then the second fastening piece. For example, it can be provided that the second fastening piece is connected to the first fastening piece when the guide rail is fastened to the wall by means of the first fastening piece and then the fastening position of the second fastening piece is marked. The second fastening piece can then be removed again and the fastening means, for example the fastening holes in the wall, can be created in an advantageous manner. It is also possible that the first fastening piece and thus the guide rail are first removed from the wall in order to create sufficient space for the fastening means to be created.

Preferably, the second fastening piece can be connected to the first fastening piece. In particular, it can be provided that the second fastening piece is connected to the first fastening piece in a form-fitting manner, wherein the form-fitting connection is formed in a plane parallel to the wall. In other words: the form-fitting connection acts in all directions in this plane and during assembly, when the first and second fastening pieces are connected, they can only be moved orthogonally to the plane.

By connecting the first and second fastening pieces, it is possible to ensure that the first and second fastening pieces are positioned in an advantageous manner during assembly, ensuring that the fastening pieces are correctly positioned even during an assembly step in which the first and second fastening pieces are separated. In addition, the form fit allows forces and moments to be transferred from the first to the second fastening piece or vice versa in the plane parallel to the wall.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a securing device can be fastened to the first and second fastening piece, wherein in the fastened state of the securing device, movement of the first or second fastening piece relative to one another is blocked. The securing device thus ensures that after the wall connector has been attached to the wall, the first and second fastening pieces are secured relative to one another, so that even a displacement in a direction orthogonal to the plane parallel to the wall no longer allows movement of the first and second fastening pieces relative to one another. This enables the wall connector to be fastened particularly securely.

The securing device can be, for example, a securing plate. This can be attached, for example, using fastening screws, by means of which the first fastening piece and at least partially the second fastening piece can be attached to the wall.

The guide rail can have a profile that is open on one side and into which the door leaf can be hooked from the side. A cover can be provided to cover the guide rail and can be attached to the guide rail.

The second fastening part of the second fastening section extends relatively far along the wall to the side of the guide rail. For example, the second fastening part is attached to the wall using screws. These are therefore generally visible to the observer, which can be perceived as aesthetically disturbing. Therefore, a cover plate can be provided for at least part of the fastening means of the second fastening part of the second fastening section of the wall connector. The cover plate can be at least partially adapted to the shape of the second fastening part. The cover plate can also be adapted to the shape of the panel, so that the cover plate rests against the panel in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail.

This can create a particularly aesthetic appearance.

In a partition wall according to the invention, in which the wall connector consists of a first and a second fastening piece, the following assembly steps can be provided:

The guide rail is attached to the wall together with the first fastening piece. The second fastening piece can already be connected to the first fastening piece. In principle, however, it is also possible that after fastening to the wall, the second fastening piece is positioned in relation to the first fastening piece. Markings can then be made for the fastening means of the second fastening piece. The second fastening piece is then removed from the wall again. The guide rail can either remain attached to the wall or be removed together with the second fastening piece. The holes for the fastening means for the second fastening piece can then advantageously be made in the wall, for example drilled. Then, with the guide rail already attached using the first fastening piece, the second fastening piece is attached to the wall in the appropriate position using the fastening means, for example heavy-duty screws. The second fastening piece can then be attached to the guide rail from above using the first fastening part, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail.

Figur 1

Eine schematische Gesamtansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Abtrennungswand und

Figuren 2 bis 4

Detailansichten des Wandverbinders der erfindungsgemäßen Abtrennungswand.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures. They show

Figure 1

A schematic overall view of the partition wall according to the invention and

Figures 2 to 4

Detailed views of the wall connector of the partition wall according to the invention.

In Figure 1 a partition wall 1 of a bathtub partition according to the invention is shown schematically in a perspective view. The partition wall 1 has a fixed wall element 3 and a guide rail 5, which is arranged on an upper edge region 3a of the wall element 3. The guide rail 5 can be formed in one piece. A door leaf 7 is guided in the guide rail 5 with a drive (not shown). At a first end 5a in the longitudinal direction (shown by the double arrow), the guide rail is attached to a wall by means of a wall connector 9.

The guide rail projects freely over the wall element 3 in the longitudinal direction distal from the first end 5a. In other words: A second end 5b of the guide rail in the longitudinal direction is provided without any further fastening of the surroundings and projects over the wall element 3 in the form of a cantilever. In the Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the guide rail 5 projects freely over the wall element 3 with approximately 50% of its total length L.

The door leaf 7 can be opened from the Figure 1 shown extended position into a retracted position in which the door leaf 7 is located almost completely next to the wall element 3, so that the wall element 3 and the door leaf 7 almost completely overlap. In this retracted position, the door leaf 7 protrudes only with a narrow strip in which a door handle 11 for operating the door leaf 7 is located.

The wall element 3 stands on the edge of a bathtub 110. The door leaf 7 is guided on the edge of the bathtub 110 via a floor guide 13. The floor guide is arranged at least partially laterally next to a lower edge region 3b of the wall element, which is opposite the upper edge region 3a of the wall element.

As can be seen from the Figures 2 to 4 in which the wall connector 9 is shown in detail, the wall connector in the Figures 2 to 4 illustrated embodiment, a first fastening piece 15 and a second fastening piece 17. The first fastening piece 15 forms a first fastening section of the wall connector. The second fastening piece 17 forms a second fastening section of the wall connector. The first fastening piece 15 forms a positive connection with the running rail in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the running rail 5, so that forces can be transmitted from the running rail in this plane to the first fastening piece 15 in all directions of the plane. The running rail 5 has a rib 19 extending in the longitudinal direction, which separates a first groove 21 from a second groove 23. The groove 23 can, for example, form a track for the drive of the door leaf 7.

The first fastening piece 15 surrounds the rib 19, the first fastening piece 15 having a first projection 25 which engages in the first groove 21 and a second projection 27 which engages in the second groove 23. The first projection 25 extends partially in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 5 and is fastened, for example, via a clamping block 29 in a corresponding receptacle of the guide rail 5. In this way, the guide rail 5 is fixed in the longitudinal direction to the first fastening piece 15.

The first fastening piece 15 and the second Fastening piece 17 can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner, whereby the form-fitting connection is formed in a plane parallel to the wall 100. The form-fitting connection thus acts in all directions in this plane and, as can be seen from Figure 2 As can be seen, during assembly a displacement of the first and second fastening pieces 15, 17 relative to each other in a direction orthogonal to this plane is possible.

The second fastening piece 17 has a first fastening part 17a, which extends parallel to the guide rail. The first fastening part 17a can be fastened to an upper side of the guide rail 5, for example, by means of first screws 31. The second fastening piece 17 also has a second fastening part 17b, by means of which the second fastening piece 17 can be fastened to the wall 100. This can be done, for example, using heavy-duty screws 33. As can be seen from Figure 2 As can be seen, the first and second fastening pieces 15, 17 also have further holes 35, via which the first and second fastening pieces 15, 17 can be additionally fastened to the wall 100 by means of screws. The guide rail 5 can also be fixed in the desired position during assembly by means of the holes 35 in the first fastening piece 15, with the second fastening piece 17 then being positioned in order to be able to make the markings for the holes for the heavy-duty screws. The second fastening piece 17 is then removed again to drill these holes.

The first fastening part 17a and the second fastening part 17b are connected to one another via a connecting part 17c. The connecting part 17c has the shape of a triangular plate and runs at least partially at an acute angle to the guide rail 5.

The second fastening part 17b extends in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the guide rail 5 with a width B that is greater than or equal to the width b of the guide rail 5. The width B of the first fastening part is in Figure 3 The width b of the guide rail 5 is in Figure 4 marked.

In Figure 3 a state of the guide rail is shown in which a securing device in the form of a securing plate 37 is attached to the first and second fastening pieces 15, 17. The securing plate 37 is attached via second screws 39, which engage in the holes 35 in the first fastening piece 15 and the second fastening piece 17. The securing plate 37 prevents movement of the first and second fastening pieces relative to one another in a direction orthogonal to the plane parallel to the wall 100. In this way, a particularly secure attachment of the wall connector 9 to the wall is possible.

As can be seen from the Figures 2 to 4 As can be seen, the guide rail 5 is designed as a profile that is open on one side and into which the door leaf 7 can be hooked from the side. To cover the guide rail 5, a cover (not shown) is provided that can be attached to the guide rail.

The wall connector 9 can in principle also be designed in one piece.

The partition wall 1 according to the invention is particularly aesthetically pleasing since additional holding devices which secure the second free end 5b can be dispensed with. Furthermore, problems associated with soiling of such a holding device are also avoided by omitting them.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

1

partition wall

3

wall element

3a

upper edge area

3b

lower edge area

5

guide rail

5a

first ending

5b

second ending

7

door leaf

9

wall connectors

11

door handle

13

floor guide

15

first fastening piece

17

second mounting piece

17a

first fastening part

17b

second fastening part

17c

connecting part

19

rib

21

first groove

23

second groove

25

first lead

27

second lead

29

clamping stone

31

first screws

33

heavy-duty screws

35

holes

37

locking plate

39

second screws

100

Wall

110

Bathtub

b

width of the guide rail

B

width of the second fastening part

L

total length of the guide rail

Claims (13)

1. A partition wall (1) of a shower cubicle or a shower or bathtub partition having a wall connector (9) with a stationary wall element (3) and with a running rail (5) being arranged at an upper edge region (3a) of the wall element (3), wherein at least one door leaf (7) is guided in the running rail (5) with at least one running gear, wherein the running rail (5) is adapted to be fastened at a first end (5a) in longitudinal direction by means of the wall connector (9) to a wall (100), and the running rail (5) itself is fastened to the upper edge region (3a) of the wall element (3) for additional support of the running rail (5), wherein wall connector (9) comprises a first fastening section engaging with or engaging the running rail (5), and the first fastening section is adapted to be fastened to the wall (100),
   characterized in that
   the running rail (5) protrudes freely in longitudinal direction distally from the first end (5a) over the wall element (3), and that the wall connector (9) comprises a second fastening section which is fastened to an external side of the running rail (5) and is adapted to be fastened to the wall (100).
2. The partition wall according to claim 1, characterized in that the running rail (5) protrudes freely with up to 70% of its total length over the wall element (3).
3. The partition wall according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the running rail (5) comprises a rib (19) extending in longitudinal direction, and that the first fastening section engages with the running rail (5) in longitudinal direction and encompasses the rib (19).
4. The partition wall according to claim 3, characterized in that the running rail (15) comprises at least two grooves (21, 23) extending in longitudinal direction, wherein the rib (19) separates the grooves (21, 23).
5. The partition wall according to claim 4, characterized in that the first fastening section comprises several protrusions (25, 27) engaging with the grooves (21, 23) of the running rail.
6. The partition wall according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the running rail (5) comprises at least one contoured groove extending in longitudinal direction, wherein the first fastening section engages by means of at least one protrusion in longitudinal direction with the contoured groove, wherein the protrusion has a shape which is adapted to the contoured groove.
7. The partition wall according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one of the protrusions (25, 27) extends partially in the longitudinal direction of the running rail (5) and is fasted in the running rail (5).
8. The partition wall according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that the second fastening section comprises a first fastening part (17a) extending parallel to the running rail (5) and being fastened via the second fastening section to an upper side of the running rail (5), and a second fastening part (17b) extending in horizontal direction next to the running rail (5) and being adapted to be fastened to the wall (100), wherein a connection part (17c) connects the first and the second fastening parts.
9. The partition wall according to claim 8, characterized in that the connection part (17c) is configured as a triangular plate.
10. The partition wall according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the wall connector (9) comprises a first fastening piece (15) and a second fastening piece (17), wherein the first fastening piece (15) forms the first fastening section and the second fastening piece (17) forms the second fastening section.
11. The partition wall according to claim 10, characterized in that the second fastening piece (17) is connectable with the first fastening piece (15).
12. The partition wall according to claim 11, characterized in that the second fastening piece (17) is connected to the first fastening piece (15) in a form-fitting manner, wherein the form-fit is formed in a plane parallel to the wall (100).
13. The partition wall according to claim 12, characterized by a securing means which is adapted to be fastened to the first and second fastening pieces (15, 17), and in the fastened state the securing means blocks a movement of the first and the second fastening piece (15, 17) towards each other.

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