Fitting main body for a sanitary fitting

• US 9,187,883 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
• Original Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
• Inventors: Armbruster, Jochen, Flieger, Horst, Kronenbitter, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAUDRY, ATIF H
• Application Number:
  US13/800,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20130241196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 137/884, 137/613, 137/614, 137/614.21, 251/367
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/02 Plumbing installations for fresh water
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/081 Laminated constructions
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0871 Channels for fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/00 Construction of housing methods for welding housings B23K; Use of materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/12 Covers for housings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/03 comprising junction pieces for four or more pipe members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87885 Sectional block structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88062 Coaxial oppositely directed seats

Abstract

Proposed is a fitting main body in which are arranged receptacles for the connections of the sanitary fitting to the water line, receptacles for a thermostat valve and a flow-rate regulating valve, and all water channels. The water channels are formed at least in part as flat ducts open towards one side of the fitting main body, wherein the longitudinal direction of the cross section through the flat ducts runs perpendicular to the side of the fitting main body. The ducts are closed off by a cover which is connected to the fitting main body. As a result, that part of the sanitary fitting which comprises all of the water channels is composed of the fitting main body and a cover.

Claims

1. A fitting main body for a sanitary fitting, comprising

a connector region having at least two connectors for connection to in each case one water line,

at least one receptacle configured to receive a valve device inserted into the receptacle,

a connector for an outlet from the sanitary fitting, and

ducts between the connectors, the valve device and the outlet, which ducts are formed in the fitting main body,

said fitting main body having a connector block and a cover block connected to said connector block along a parting surface, wherein the ducts run without crossing one another, and partially parallel to one another, wherein at least one of said ducts runs parallel to the parting surface,

wherein each of said ducts is open in the direction of the parting surface and does not have an undercut in the direction of the parting surface,

wherein said connector region and said at least one receptacle are formed in said connector block,

wherein the receptacle for the valve device is provided in the connector block and is configured to receive at least one of a mixing valve and a thermostat valve inserted into the receptacle, which receptacle is connected via in each case one inflow duct to the two connectors and from which receptacle a mixed-water duct leads to a receptacle in the connector block for a flow-rate regulating valve which is connected via an outflow duct to the outlet,

wherein axes of the receptacles for the valves are situated in one of a same plane as axes of the connectors, and in a plane parallel and offset with respect to said same plane as the axes of the connectors, and

wherein said same plane as the axes of the connectors is parallel to the parting surface at which the connector block and the cover block are connected.

2. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein at least one said duct is in a form of a flat duct with two at least approximately parallel walls, wherein a longitudinal direction of a cross section of the flat duct runs perpendicular to the parting surface between the cover and the fitting main body.

3. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said ducts are open towards a same side of the fitting main body.

4. The fitting main body according to claim 3, wherein all of the ducts are closed off by the same said cover block.

5. The fitting main body according to claim 1, having at least two said ducts which are open in the direction of two different sides of the fitting main body and which are each closed off by a cover.

6. The fitting main body according to claim 5, wherein the two sides of the fitting main body are situated opposite one another.

7. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein a receptacle for at least one said valve device is arranged with an axis perpendicular to the axis of an associated one of the connectors.

8. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein the fitting main body is of unipartite form.

9. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein walls of the ducts in the fitting main body are separated by intermediate spaces, and further comprising ribs for at least one of reinforcing and connecting the duct walls.

10. The fitting main body according to claim 1, being composed at least in part of metal.

11. The fitting main body according to claim 1, being composed at least in part of plastic.

12. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein the connectors of the fitting main body are formed for receiving one of S-type connectors and inserts for receiving S-type connectors.

13. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein the connectors have smooth walls.

14. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein a connector for the outlet has one of a pipe connector thread and an inserted insert with a pipe connector thread.

15. The fitting main body according to claim 1, wherein all of the connectors are reinforced by inlaid metal bushings.