U.S. patent application number 12/712320 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-09 for arrangement of a housing with a cover.
Invention is credited to Juergen Gross, Bernd Werner.
Application Number | 20100225214 12/712320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42236729 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100225214 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Werner; Bernd ; et
al. |
September 9, 2010 |
ARRANGEMENT OF A HOUSING WITH A COVER
Abstract
A cover is designed such that it can be fastened to and removed
from a housing without a tool, wherein the cover can be plugged by
a protruding engagement section into the housing to a variable
depth. The engagement section has a retaining device which has a
U-shaped retaining spring which is mounted on the cover in the
plug-in direction and is intended for the supporting clamping
bearing against an inner wall of the housing for fastening
purposes. The retaining spring has a mounting section and an
outwardly pointing retaining arm, with a free space in between in
which the clamping section engages in order to press apart the
retaining spring and to prevent a movement of the retaining spring
away from the clamping bearing against the inner wall of the
housing.
Inventors: |
Werner; Bernd;
(Rottweil-Hausen, DE) ; Gross; Juergen;
(Muehlenbach, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUANE MORRIS LLP - Philadelphia;IP DEPARTMENT
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-4196
US
|
Family ID: |
42236729 |
Appl. No.: |
12/712320 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/293.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/293.3 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 013 145.0 |
Claims
1. An arrangement of a housing with an associated cover with a
protruding engagement section, wherein said cover is designed in a
manner such that the cover can be fastened to and removed from said
housing without the use of a tool, wherein said cover is insertable
with said protruding engagement section into said housing to a
variable depth for fastening purposes, wherein said engagement
section has at least one retaining device for supporting the
engagement section in a manner to be releasable without a tool,
wherein said retaining device has a U-shaped retaining spring which
is mounted movably in a plug-in direction on one of said cover and
said engagement section and is intended for a supporting clamping
bearing against an inner wall of said housing for fastening
purposes, said retaining spring having a mounting section and an
outwardly pointing retaining arm protruding therefrom, with a free
space in between the mounting section and the retaining arm, said
engagement section having a protruding clamping section for
engagement in said free space in order to press apart said
retaining spring and to prevent a movement of said retaining spring
away from said clamping bearing against said inner wall of said
housing.
2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said cover is
rectangular and the arrangement comprises four said retaining
devices, respectively in a vicinity of corners of said rectangular
cover.
3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said retaining
devices are provided on relatively longer longitudinal sides of
said rectangular cover.
4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said housing on
said inner wall thereof is free from movable parts.
5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein an inner wall is
formed on said housing without undercuts.
6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an inner wall of
said housing is roughened on its surface.
7. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said retaining
spring is of approximately U-shape design in side view with said
mounting section at one end of a U limb and said free space in a
region of a base of said U shape, an other U limb being divided in
two with one part being designed as an outwardly protruding
retaining arm and another part being designed as a covering arm
covering said free space to an inside.
8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said clamping
section of said cover is designed to be at least one of wider and
thicker at an end thereof for bearing in the free space of said
U-shaped retaining spring.
9. The arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said clamping
section is approximately a same width as said free space at a base
of said retaining spring.
10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said retaining
spring is mounted in an insertion direction on a spindle that is
displaceable longitudinally over a certain distance.
11. Arrangement according to claim 10, wherein said spindle is
retained in a tubular receptacle on said mounting section of said
retaining spring.
12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said length of
said clamping section corresponds approximately to said certain
distance of said axial displaceability of said retaining spring,
said clamping section and said retaining spring being designed in
such a manner that, when said retaining spring is moved to a
maximum extent towards said cover, said clamping section bears
against a base of a U-shaped retaining spring.
13. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said retaining
spring and said clamping section are designed in such a manner
that, as said clamping section begins to be pulled back in said
free space of said retaining spring, said inwardly pointing
covering arm is pressed away to said side in order to reinforce a
pre-stressed bearing of said outwardly protruding retaining arm
against said inner wall of said housing.
14. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said clamping
section of said cover is designed to be at least one of wider and
thicker at an end thereof for bearing in the a free space of said
U-shaped retaining spring against a base of said retaining
spring.
15. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said clamping
section is approximately a same width as said free space at said
base of said retaining spring.
Description
FIELD OF APPLICATION AND PRIOR ART
[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement of a housing with an
associated cover. In particular, it should be made possible for a
sanitary fitting to be arranged in the housing, advantageously in a
corresponding wall niche in which the housing is arranged. The
cover should be closed to the outside.
[0002] It is known in such an arrangement to form a type of
latching connection between the cover or engagement section of the
cover and the housing on an inner wall of the housing. For this
purpose, it is possible in particular for the protruding engagement
section to have provided on it retaining devices with protruding
retaining springs or the like which, when the cover or engagement
section is pressed into the housing, bear in their respective
position against the inner wall under spring force and provide a
certain fastening action. The cover can be removed by applying a
slightly higher force, with the retaining spring then sliding, so
to speak, along the inner wall with its retaining force.
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
[0003] The problem to be solved by the invention is that of
creating an arrangement as above by means of which the problems of
the prior art can be solved, and in particular to create an
advantageous facility for fastening a cover to a housing and also
for removing said cover.
[0004] Said problem is solved by means of an arrangement having the
features of claim 1. The further claims relate to advantageous and
preferred embodiments of the invention which are explained in more
detail below. The wording of the claims is incorporated in the
content of the description by express reference.
[0005] The cover has a protruding engagement section by means of
which it can be inserted into the housing to a variable depth for
the purpose of fastening without a tool. The engagement section has
at least one retaining device for said support or fastening which
can be released and produced without a tool. A plurality of
retaining devices is advantageously provided on the cover or on the
engagement section.
[0006] According to the invention, the retaining device has a
U-shaped retaining spring which is mounted movably in the plug-in
direction on the cover or the engagement section. Said retaining
spring is intended for the supporting or supporting clamping
bearing against an inner wall of the housing for fastening the
cover thereto. Here, the retaining arm points obliquely counter to
the plug-in direction such that it provides good support which
prevents the cover from being pulled out or at least makes it
difficult for the cover to be pulled out.
[0007] Here, the retaining spring has a mounting section,
advantageously on a U limb. Said mounting section is precisely
mounted with said mobility on the engagement section. A clamping
section protrudes from the mounting section or from a base of the
U-shaped retaining spring, with a free space being situated between
the mounting section and clamping section. Said free space is
advantageously formed by a base of the U-shape of the retaining
spring. The engagement section of the cover has a protruding
clamping section, in particular in the plug-in direction, with said
clamping section engaging into said free space of the retaining
spring in order to press the latter apart, that is to say in order
to push the mounting section or the retaining arm away. The
engagement of the engagement section into the free space at the
base of the U-shaped retaining spring thus prevents a movement of
the retaining spring or of the retaining arm away from the clamping
bearing against the inner wall.
[0008] It is therefore possible by means of the invention for a
retaining action of the retaining spring to be generated or
maintained primarily by virtue of the clamping section of the
engagement section of the cover pressing into the retaining spring
and pressing the latter apart. As a result of the inclination of
the retaining arm, which bears against the inner wall of the
housing, counter to the plug-in direction, said retaining arm can
be easily inserted and, in so doing, can slide, so to speak, along
the inner wall, or scrape along said inner wall if the latter is
roughened. In the other direction, the retaining arm jams against
the inner wall and makes it difficult for the retaining spring to
be pulled out.
[0009] The housing can, on the inner wall thereof, be free from
movable parts which assist a possible fastening of the cover to the
housing. In particular, the housing is at least substantially
empty. An inner wall of the housing may, as stated, be roughened or
have small projections in order to enable improved clamping bearing
or spreading of the retaining spring to prevent the latter being
pulled out. Here, it is also possible for certain steps or webs to
be provided closely adjacent to one another so as to provide a
fastening which can be plugged in in as fine or stepless a manner
as possible.
[0010] As mentioned above, the retaining spring may advantageously
be of approximately U-shaped design in side view. Said retaining
spring may be bent from a thin spring metal plate in the
conventional way. The said mounting section is situated at one end
of a U limb, said mounting section advantageously being of
sleeve-like design in order to fasten therein a spindle as a
mounting of the retaining spring. Situated in the region of a base
of the U shape of the retaining spring is the free space into which
the clamping section of the cover can be plugged. The other U limb
of the retaining spring is divided into a part which is designed as
an outwardly protruding retaining arm and which then bears against
the inner wall of the housing. The other part of the other U limb,
advantageously divided in two to the left and right adjacent to the
retaining arm, is bent inward. Said other part, as a covering arm,
covers the free space and therefore, in a sense, the clamping
section of the cover.
[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the clamping
section can be designed to be wider or thicker at the end thereof,
for example as a clamping thickened portion, and is situated
therewith in the free space of the retaining spring or bears
therewith against a base of the U-shaped retaining spring. Here,
the clamping section with its widened portion may be approximately
the same width as the free space at the base of the retaining
spring, and thus actually press the latter apart. At the same time,
said covering arm may project inward beyond the free space and
serve, by means of its resilient action, to prevent the thickened
end or the clamping thickened portion of the clamping section from
being pulled out, or at least make it difficult for said thickened
end or clamping thickened portion of the clamping section to be
pulled out. In this way, it is possible firstly for the retaining
spring to be fixed, and perform the retaining function, by bearing
against the inner wall of the housing, and secondly for the
clamping section to be movable in the plug-in direction in the
retaining spring. Here, however, said clamping section is held by
the covering arm of the retaining spring in a position in which it
is plugged as far as possible into the retaining spring. Here, the
clamping section with its thickened end simultaneously serves to
improve the retaining force of the retaining spring.
[0012] Since firstly the retaining spring is mounted on the cover
or the engagement section and secondly the clamping section should
be movable in the plug-in direction relative to the retaining
spring, the retaining spring should advantageously be mounted on an
abovementioned spindle which is mounted, so as to be longitudinally
movable in the plug-in direction, on the cover or the engagement
section, that is to say on the retaining device. Here, the spindle
runs perpendicular to the plug-in direction. Here, it is possible
firstly for the spindle to be fastened to the retaining device at
two mounting points and secondly for this to be provided
simultaneously to a fastening of the retaining spring to said
spindle, for example by means of the spindle being inserted
simultaneously into a tubular, curved receptacle on the mounting
section of the retaining spring.
[0013] A length of the clamping section on the cover may
advantageously correspond approximately to the distance of the
axial displaceability of the retaining spring on the retaining
device or on the cover. For this purpose, the clamping section and
the retaining spring may be designed in such a manner that, when
the retaining spring is moved to the maximum extent towards the
cover, the clamping section bears against the base of the U-shaped
retaining spring. In this position, the cover is thus pressed
together with the retaining spring into the housing.
[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the retaining
spring and the clamping section are advantageously designed in such
a manner that, as the clamping section and therefore the cover is
removed or the clamping section begins to be pulled out of the
retaining spring or out of the free space of the retaining spring,
the inwardly pointing covering arm of the retaining spring is
pressed away to the side. In this way, said covering arm presses
the retaining arm, which is connected thereto, outwards and
therefore more intensely against the inner wall of the housing. The
retaining spring therefore cannot move out of the housing counter
to the plug-in direction, and the spring force or resilient bearing
of the covering arm against the thickened end of the clamping
section holds the cover with a certain force. If said certain force
is overcome, then the clamping section with its thickened end can
be pulled fully out of the free space between the U limbs and
therefore also can no longer press the covering arm outwards. Then,
it is possible either for the retaining spring or the retaining arm
to be pressed back, and therefore away from the inner wall of the
housing, by its own spring force, such that the fastening has
likewise been released without a tool. Alternatively, by pulling
the cover out of the housing slightly further, the spindle on which
the retaining spring is mounted can reach the end of its movement
travel and pivot about its mounting, which has previously been
prevented by the clamping section in the free space. In this way,
the retaining arm can move away from the inner wall of the housing,
and the fastening is therefore released.
[0015] These and further features emerge not only from the claims
but also from the description and the drawings, wherein the
individual features may in each case be realized individually or in
combination in the form of sub-combinations in an embodiment of the
invention, and may be realized in other fields and constitute
embodiments which are worthy of protection in themselves and for
which protection is claimed here. The division of the application
under intermediate headings and into individual sections does not
limit the general validity of the statements made therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is schematically
illustrated in the drawings and is explained in more detail below.
In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a retaining spring according to the invention
in a greatly enlarged plan view,
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement according to the invention with
the retaining springs from FIG. 1 before the insertion of the cover
into the housing,
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a view of the retaining device with a retaining
spring according to FIG. 1 in the cover according to FIG. 2 from
below,
[0020] FIG. 4 shows the cover, inserted slightly into the housing,
with a retaining spring bearing in supporting fashion against an
inner wall of the housing,
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 4 with the
cover inserted to the maximum extent, and
[0022] FIG. 6 shows the arrangement corresponding to FIG. 4 with a
cover which has been pulled slightly out of the housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a retaining spring according to the
invention which is of substantially U-shaped design in side view,
see also FIG. 2. The retaining spring 11 has, in the left-hand
region, a mounting section 13 with two sleeve-like bends 14 at the
top end, with the mounting section 13 forming the left-hand U limb
of the retaining spring 11. Provided in the lower region is a
spring base 15 which merges to the right into the other U limb
which is composed of two inwardly projecting covering arms 17 and
an outwardly protruding retaining arm 18 arranged in between.
Between the U limbs and above the spring base 15, the retaining
spring 11 forms a free space 20. The latter can also be clearly
seen, for example, in the illustration of FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement 22 according to the
invention with a housing 24 which is of substantially rectangular
or box-like design and which has a free interior space 25 with an
inner wall 27 illustrated in partial section. The arrangement 22
includes a cover 30 which leads towards and into the housing 24.
Said cover 30 has a cover surface 31 (not illustrated in any more
detail) and an encircling engagement section 33 which projects
downwards from said cover surface 31 and which is matched in terms
of shape to the housing 24. Said engagement section 33 serves to
provide a fully encircling closure when the cover 30 is inserted
into the housing 24 to different extents.
[0025] At the bottom of the engagement section 33, retaining
devices 35 are provided in the region of each of the four corners
of the rectangular cover 30. Said retaining devices 35 are
integrally formed on the engagement section 33 and have a
downwardly protruding clamping section 37 which, at its lower end,
has a clamping thickened portion 38. Provided behind the clamping
section 37 is a vertically running axial guide 40 whose other end
is formed by a guide wall 41.
[0026] A retaining spring 11 is attached to the retaining device 35
in such a way that, firstly, the clamping section 37 engages
between the U limbs and runs in the free space 20 in such a way
that the clamping thickened portion 38 bears against the spring
base 15. Here, it can be seen how the inwardly pointing covering
arms 17 extend over the clamping thickened portion 38 and the
clamping section 37 is thereby held in the retaining spring 11 with
a certain spring force action.
[0027] A spindle 43 is guided through the sleeve-like bends 14 and
is held therein by spring force or some other fastening means. As
can be seen from the view from below in FIG. 3, the spindle 43
projects laterally beyond the channel-like axial guide 40 slightly
such that said spindle 43 is movable therein along the insertion
direction E indicated by the arrows at the side. However, said
spindle 43 cannot fall out along said insertion direction E;
specifically, the travel is limited. The spindle 43 is fastened to
the retaining spring 11 when the latter is plugged, as per FIG. 2,
onto the clamping section 37; specifically, said spindle 43 can be
inserted from the side, that is to say along its longitudinal
direction. With corresponding coordination of the length of the
spindle and the lateral play of the retaining spring 11, the
spindle may also be fastened to the retaining spring in advance.
The entire structural unit can then nevertheless be mounted by
means of a simple lateral tilting movement. The retaining spring 11
is thereby captively mounted on the retaining device 35 or on the
cover 30. At the same time, said retaining spring is however
mounted so as to be movable in the plug-in direction E along its
mounting on the spindle 43.
[0028] It can be seen from FIG. 2 how the retaining arms 18 of the
retaining springs 11 protrude outwards from the retaining devices
35. Here, said retaining arms 18 project upwards a considerable
distance beyond the elongation of the inner wall 27 of the housing
24. This can also be seen from FIG. 3.
[0029] If the cover 30 is now inserted with its engagement section
33 into the housing 24 along the plug-in direction E, as per FIG.
4, the clamping section 37 or the clamping thickened portion 38
remains against the spring base 15 not only on account of the
covering arms 17 but rather also because it bears directly against
said spring base 15, possibly together with an abutment of the
spindle 43 in the axial guide 40. Specifically, the retaining
spring 11 bears with its inwardly bent retaining arm 18 against the
inner wall 27 and travels along the latter, which produces a
certain friction action and therefore brakes the retaining spring
11, so to speak. It can also be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4 how the
retaining arm 18 bears against the inner wall 27 counter to the
plug-in direction E, as is known for clamping or latching
connections of said type.
[0030] If, for example in the only slightly inserted position of
the cover 30 on the housing 24, the cover is to now be removed or
pulled out again counter to the plug-in direction E, then the cover
30 is held by means of the clamping section 37 or the clamping
thickened portion 38 and the covering arm 17 on the retaining
spring 11. The latter in turn is supported, as can be easily seen
from FIG. 4, by means of the retaining arm 18 against the inner
wall 27, and therefore actually cannot be pulled out. The
pulling-out process is explained in more detail below.
[0031] Firstly, the cover 30 thereby is held on the housing 24 in a
slightly plugged-in position according to FIG. 4. Furthermore, the
cover 30 may also, as per FIG. 5, be inserted fully into the
housing 24 or into the interior space 25 thereof. Here, too, the
retaining device 35 or the retaining spring 11 holds the cover on
the housing. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the inner
walls 27 are parallel to one another. As a result of the spring
mobility of the retaining spring 11, it is duly possible for
certain deviations from this to be compensated while contact is
simultaneously maintained, but the inner walls are advantageously
parallel.
[0032] The inner walls of the housing may fundamentally be smooth.
The retaining arm 18 can easily dig into the wall, in particular in
the case of a housing 24 composed of plastic. To improve the
retaining action of the retaining spring 11 against the inner wall
27, however, said inner wall may be roughened slightly, as
mentioned in the introduction, in the region in which the retaining
arm 18 travels along it. Furthermore, very small and fine latching
projections, indentations or ribs may be provided, with a stepless
plug-in depth thereby again being divided slightly more into
individual depth steps, such that a roughened inner wall 27 is
fundamentally preferable.
[0033] The pulling of the cover 30 out of the housing 24 is
explained on the basis of FIG. 6. Here, the position as per FIG. 4
is taken as a starting point. If the cover 30 is moved with a low
force along the pull-out direction A, then the spring force of the
covering arm 17 can suffice to hold the clamping section 37 with
the lower clamping thickened portion 38 in the free space 20 and
therefore against the retaining spring 11. This also takes place in
a precisely defined position, specifically when the clamping
thickened portion 38 bears with its lower end against the spring
base 15. If the pulling-out force is now increased, then the
clamping thickened portion 38 presses the covering arms 17
outwards, which at the same time increases the spring force with
which the retaining arm 18 bears against the inner wall 27. This
therefore generates a further improved retaining action of the
retaining spring 11 on the inner wall 27 of the housing 24.
[0034] If a still greater force is applied to the cover 30 in the
pulling-out direction A, then the clamping thickened portion 38
presses the covering arms 17 outwards to such an extent that said
cover 30 is finally moved upwards out of the free space 20. On
account of the bearing of the retaining arm 18 against the inner
wall 27, the retaining spring 11 does not move along the
pulling-out direction A. As a result of the mobility of the
mounting of the spindle 43 with retaining spring 11 in the axial
guide 40, the spindle 43 remains positionally fixed, so to speak,
and moves downward only in a relative movement in the axial guide
40, as can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 6. When the
clamping thickened portion 38 is situated above the covering arms
17 as per FIG. 6, that is say has moved out of the free space 20,
the covering arms 17 can bend inwards, and the additional spring
loading on the retaining arm 18 in the outward direction is
eliminated. Here, it is possible on the one hand for the retaining
spring 11 to be designed such that the retaining arm 18 already
then no longer bears with spring preload against the inner wall 27
and the retaining spring 11 rotates, under the force of gravity,
clockwise about the spindle 43 which has reached the bottom end of
the axial guide 40. In said rotated position, the retaining spring
11 then no longer bears against the inner wall 27 at all, and the
cover 30 can then easily be removed completely.
[0035] Alternatively, after the clamping thickened portion 38 is
pulled out of the free space 20, it is possible for a spring
preload of the retaining arm 18 against the inner wall 27 to still
be present, since the spindle 43 indeed cannot be pressed to the
left, and the end of the retaining arm 18 experiences a
considerable degree of friction against the inner wall 27. If the
cover 30 however then continues to be pulled with a certain force
in the pulling-out direction A, then the retaining arm 18 bears
against the same point on the inner wall 27 while the retaining
spring 11 is likewise rotated clockwise as a result of being pulled
with mounting sections 13 upwards by the spindle 43. At the latest
when the spindle 43 is situated a considerable distance above the
point at which the retaining arm 18 bears against the inner wall
27, said bearing point is eliminated and the retaining spring 11 is
situated again in the position illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0036] This therefore makes it clear that it is easily possible
with the invention for the retaining springs 11 to be pre-mounted
by means of spindles 43 on the retaining devices 35 of the cover 30
as per FIG. 2. For this purpose, the retaining springs 11 are
plugged onto the clamping sections 37 and the spindles 43 are then
inserted. The cover 30 is then fastened to the housing 24 with a
desired plug-in depth and is secured or supported against being
pulled out with a small force.
[0037] If a pulling-out force of considerable magnitude is applied,
then the clamping thickened portion 38 slides out of the free space
20 of the retaining spring 11 and the latter loses its clamping
bearing against the inner wall 27 of the housing 24, but remains
captively mounted on the cover 30 by means of the spindle 43. The
cover may then be removed as desired. For renewed plugging in or
placing on, the retaining springs 11 are again plugged onto the
clamping sections 37 with the clamping thickened portions 38.
[0038] In a modification of the invention, the retaining spring 11
and the clamping section 37 may be designed such that the retaining
arm 18 of the retaining spring 11 produces a clamping action
against the inner wall of the housing only when the clamping
section is plugged in. For this purpose, the covering arms 17 could
be bent in over the free space 20 in a more pronounced fashion,
with a starting point of the retaining arm 18 on the right-hand U
limb being situated further away from the spring base 15. The
retaining arm 18 then projects far enough to the right to bear
against the inner wall 27 specifically only when the covering arms
17 are pressed outwards by the clamping section 37 or the clamping
thickened portion 38 thereof.
* * * * *