EP2099975B1 - Ball joint for a sanitary outlet fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

The ball joint (1) has a former joint part (5) is held such that it is able to pivot a spherical cap-shaped or spherical segment-shaped or similar spherical front end region (6) of its wall, between a shape-adapted joint socket (7) on the latter joint part (2) on the one hand. A joint head (8) on a holding element (9) is provided in an inner cavity of the former joint part on the other hand. The holding element passes a connecting shaft (10) acting on latter joint part by a passage opening (11) in former joint part, and holding element interconnects the liquid ducts of both joint parts.

Description

The invention relates to a ball joint with a first and a second hinge part, which are hinged together and having interconnected fluid channels and of which a hinge part is releasably attached to a water inlet and the other hinge part is formed as a water drain or releasably connectable to a water drain, wherein the first joint part with a spherical cap or spherical segment-shaped or similar spherical end region of its wall between a form-fitting joint socket on the second joint part on the one hand and a joint head on a provided in the inner cavity of the first joint part sleeve-shaped holding member on the other hand is pivotally supported, wherein the holding element with an external thread can be screwed into an internal thread in the second joint part and with an attacking on the second joint part Verbinclungsachaft an insertion opening of the first hinge part interspersed and wherein the Hal teelement connect the fluid channels of the first hinge part and the second hinge part with each other via its sleeve interior.

There are already known ball joints, which can be screwed to the water outlet of a sanitary water outlet fitting to divert the water jet there and to align in the desired direction of discharge can. The previously known ball joints have a connection part which can be screwed to the connection thread at the water outlet of the sanitary outlet fitting. The previously known ball joints have an outlet part, which is pivotally connected to the connecting part. At the connection part is for this purpose a ball head, which can be pivoted in a complementary joint socket in the outlet part is stored. In this case, a sealing ring which engages behind the ball head is provided on the edge part of the joint socket facing the connection part. Since protruding on the connecting part of the ball head, as between the connecting part and outlet part a Quarschnittsverjünung is to be kept free as a swivel range and there held in the socket pan ball head with a spherical segment of its spherical shape also protrudes beyond the outlet part, the prior art ball joints in the course of their longitudinal extension several diameter jumps on affect the design of a sanitary spout and form ugly gaps that are difficult to clean. Since the sealing ring provided at the edge region of the socket does not only have to seal between socket or ball head, but also has to hold the ball head engaged behind it under comparatively high pressures and temperatures in the socket, the construction is associated with functional disadvantages due to the double function of the sealing ring ,

From the DE-U-71 13 198 already a ball joint is known, which has a first and a second hinge part, which are hinged together and having interconnected fluid channels, wherein a hinge part at the outlet end of a sanitary outlet fitting is releasably secured, while the other hinge part is designed as a water spout. The attachable at the outlet end of the outlet fitting joint part has downstream a serving as a holding element ball head, which is encompassed by a designed as a ball socket inner cavity of the other joint part. This ball socket is formed by a sleeve, which has a ball diameter adapted to the clear width. The sleeve has on its inside a groove groove for receiving a sealing against the ball surface O-ring, and in the Near their end facing the end of a grooved groove for receiving a snap ring. At the other end a sliding ring is pressed into the bush. Here, the inner diameter of the untensioned snap ring is slightly smaller than the ball diameter, which is why the snap ring remains when pressing the ball socket on the ball with the latter in a constant adhesion, which eventually leads to an axial distortion of the seal ring with the ball.

The multi-part design of the two joint parts of DE-U-71 13 198 Prior art ball joint, which provided at the downstream ball joint groove grooves for the O-ring and the snap ring and in particular the insertion and bracing of the snap ring is associated with a considerable manufacturing and assembly costs. In addition, the multi-part design of the joint parts also brings several circumferential gradations and cuts in the parting planes with him, which lead to unwanted cuts on the outer circumference of the ball joint.

From the US-A-2005/156062 already a ball joint of the type mentioned above is known, in which the two hingedly held together hinge parts are connected by means of a sleeve-shaped retaining element. This holding element passes through a connection shaft engaging the second joint part with an insertion opening of the first joint part, wherein the sleeve interior of this sleeve-shaped holding element connects the fluid passages of the first and the second joint part. The retaining element of the US-A-2005/156062 Prior art ball joint is made of two separate, but inseparable interconnected components, one of which forms the hollow spherical condyle, while the other for screwing on the inflow side Joint part required external thread carries.

Although can be in the off US-A-2005/156062 previously known ball joint reduce the provided on the outer circumference column and cuts, but also the production and assembly of this multi-part ball joint is associated with considerable effort.

There is therefore a particular object to provide a functionally safe ball joint of the type mentioned, which can be designed without fouling taper cross-section and column, and the freedom of design in the design of a sanitary outlet fitting does not restrict or impaired, and yet with a relatively small Effort can be produced.

The inventive solution to this problem is in the ball joint of the type mentioned in particular that the sleeve interior of the support member is designed as a non-circular in the cross-section tool engagement surface.

The ball joint according to the invention has two hingedly connected joint parts, of which a first joint part is pivotally held with its spherically configured Stirnendbereich between a form-fitting socket on the second joint part on the one hand and a joint head on a provided in the inner cavity of the first joint part holding member. Since the first hinge part is thus held securely and firmly between the second hinge part and the holding element and since the first hinge part is not merely secured with a sealing ring, the ball joint according to the invention has a comparatively high functionality, as the holding and sealing functions are separate from each other and can be optimized individually. In this case, the sleeve interior of the sleeve-shaped retaining element not only the fluid channels of the first and second hinge part to connect with each other, - but this sleeve interior of the holding elements is also designed as a non-circular in the cross-section tool engagement surface. At this, not visible from the outside tool engagement surface can be safely located and twist with his condyle located in the interior of the first joint part holding member without much effort to screw the retaining element with its external thread in the internal thread on the second joint part can. Since the first hinge part is thus held securely and firmly between the second hinge part and the holding element and since the first hinge part is not merely secured with a sealing ring, the ball joint according to the invention has a comparatively high functionality, since the holding and the sealing function are separated from each other and each can be optimized for themselves. Since the first joint part, which may be arranged on the inflow side or the outflow side of the ball joint according to the invention, is pivotably arranged in a socket of the second joint part, the first joint part and second joint part can be connected to each other without major transitions and in particular without aesthetically disturbing diameter jumps. In this case, the holding element passes through an engagement opening of the first joint part with a connecting shaft engaging the second joint part, the retaining element connecting the fluid passages of the first joint part and of the outlet part to one another.

In this case, a preferred embodiment according to the invention in that the sleeve interior of the retaining element configured as a tool engagement surface is designed as a hexagon socket.

A particularly shapely and appealing embodiment according to the invention provides that adjoins the spherical front end region of the first joint part is a cylindrical and preferably extending to the water outlet portion. In particular, such an embodiment can be designed practically over its entire longitudinal extent with a substantially constant outer diameter.

Since the ball joint according to the invention can be mounted, for example, instead of a conventional outlet nozzle on the outlet fitting, it is advantageous if a sanitary functional unit with at least one jet regulator, a flow rate regulator, a flow restrictor, a backflow preventer and / or one of the joint parts and preferably on the first joint part Front screen is provided. But the ball joint according to the invention can just as well connected to a flexible water pipe and attached, for example, to an angle valve or mounted on a dashboard shower hose connection or a shower handle connection to achieve torsion protection in the region of these Einspannstellen the flexible water pipe and counteract mechanical overload.

It may be advantageous if, for example, a flow rate regulator or a flow restrictor is arranged on one of the joint parts and preferably on the first joint part. Such an embodiment proves to be particularly advantageous because the functions of the flow rate regulation and the anti-buckling and beyond also the torsion protection for the connected flexible water pipe can be realized in one component. It is known that flexible hose lines and in particular shower hoses often fail at the clamping points, ie therefore at the fitting connection or the shower handle connection due to mechanical overload. The embodiment described here illustrates that such a flexible water pipe and in particular a corresponding shower hose can be beautifully and efficiently secured by the ball joint according to the invention against a mechanical bending overload, because in the ball joint already large tilt angle can be absorbed, which relieves the hose accordingly. Due to the all-round mobility of the ball joint, there is the possibility to bind the hose torsion-free, which was previously possible only with correspondingly elaborately designed nipple constructions. The Torsionsfreiheit a flexible water pipe and in particular a shower hose offers the user in the handle, for example, a hand shower great advantages.

It may be advantageous if instead of the usually attached to the water outlet of the outlet fitting mouthpiece of the joint parts and preferably the first joint part with a sleeve-shaped outlet mouthpiece is releasably connected, which carries the sanitary functional unit in its sleeve interior. Instead, however, it is also possible for one of the joint parts, and preferably the first joint part, to have an outlet-side insertion opening into which the sanitary functional unit can preferably be detachably inserted. A ball and socket joint, in which a sanitary functional unit can be inserted into the outlet-side insertion opening, in particular of the first joint part, also does not have the gaps and heels customary in this area.

It is particularly advantageous if the insertion opening has an axial longitudinal extent which is approximately equal to or greater than the installation height of the sanitary functional unit. The longitudinal extent of the insertion opening is thus dimensioned so that the sanitary functional unit can be accommodated in it virtually completely concealed.

The ball joint according to the invention has at its first joint part on a through opening, which passes through the holding element with an engaging on the second joint part connecting shaft. Here, the insertion opening limiting peripheral edge and the connecting shaft serves as a guide stop, which limits the pivotal movement of the first hinge part relative to the second hinge part. If the installation situation requires that, for example, the first joint part is not or at most only partially pivoted in one of the different directions, because otherwise the deflected by means of the ball joint and aligned water jet would possibly extend over the outer peripheral edge of the sanitary ware, for example, it is useful , If between the first hinge part and the second hinge part, a pivot stop is effective, which limits the pivotal movement of the hinge parts to each other and preferably of the first hinge part in a defined pivoting direction preferably on one side.

In this case, a preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the retaining element at the downstream edge region of its joint head carries a loadable from the inner periphery of the first joint part swivel stop, which is preferably designed as a stop lug.

But it is also possible that the first joint part to a non-circular and / or eccentrically arranged insertion opening has, which is designed as a pivotal movement of the first joint part limiting pivot stop.

A preferred development according to the invention provides that between the first joint part and the second joint part and / or between the holding element and the first joint part, a rotation stop of the joint parts limiting each other rotation is provided. Although such a rotation stop allows a rotational movement between the articulated interconnected components of the ball joint according to the invention by almost 360 °, but then goes on attack. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when a sanitary functional unit is connected downstream of the ball joint, the adjustment mechanism also requires a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis, wherein the friction values of the adjustment of the sanitary functional unit defined on the one hand differently to the friction conditions of the rotational movement provided in the ball joint according to the invention could be.

If these defined different friction conditions between the outlet-side joint part on the one hand and the ball joint on the other hand, for example, changed by aging of the elastomers used, so that they no longer differ from each other, it may happen that at too high frictional resistance of the outlet side joint part of the user of this joint part no longer the one can move to the other switching position, as the ball joint rotates seemingly endless. However, since the embodiment described here has a torsion stop, the ball joint could at most rotate by almost 360 ° until the torsion stop is effective and an adjustment of the downstream outlet-side joint part is possible even with increased friction. It may be advantageous if the rotary or torsion stop has a stop on the holding element in the outlet direction projecting, which cooperates with a counter-stop on the inner circumference of the first joint part.

A particularly simple and inexpensive to produce embodiment according to the invention provides that the stop and / or the counter-stop are designed pin-shaped.

It is possible that the rotation stop limits the rotational movement in each pivot position of the first joint part. Instead, however, it may also be advantageous if the rotation stopper releases or limits the rotational movement of the first joint part as a function of its pivoting position. In such an embodiment, the rotation stop is effective only in a certain relative position between the joint parts, while the rotation stop is not engaged in another extreme deflection position. It may be advantageous if the stop and the counter-stop in a swing end position happen to each other.

In order to mount the components of the ball joint according to the invention in a simple manner, it is advantageous if the retaining element with an external thread in an internal thread in the second hinge part is screwed and / or if the sleeve interior of the retaining element is designed as a tool engagement surface and in particular as a hexagon socket.

In this case, the external thread of the retaining element can be detachably screwed into the internal thread in the second joint part and / or glued waterproof.

In order to be able to seal well in the region between the joint parts, it is expedient if at least one ring seal is provided between the first joint part and the second joint part and / or between the retaining element and the first joint part.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one ring seal is provided, and if at least one ring seal is effective between the first joint part and the retaining element and / or between the first joint part and the second joint part.

It may be expedient if an annular groove for receiving a ring seal is provided on the outer circumference of the retaining element, on the inner or outer circumference of the first joint part and / or on the inner circumference of the second joint part in the region of the joint socket.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention, which can be produced with relatively little effort, provides that the holding element with a connection shaft passes through an insertion opening on the second hinge part, and that the connection shaft in the insertion opening by means of a on the upstream free shaft end of the connecting shaft attacking sapwood or Circlip is secured.

It is particularly expedient if the holding element in its first hinge part engaging behind portion is configured cap-shaped. So that the retaining element can connect the fluid channels of the first joint part and of the second joint part to one another, a preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that the retaining element has at least one through-flow opening in its cap-shaped subregion.

In order to attach the ball joint according to the invention to a commercial sanitary outlet fitting, it is advantageous if an external or internal thread is provided on one of the joint parts and in particular on the second joint part, which is detachably connectable to an internal or external thread on the sanitary outlet fitting.

A preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that at least one of the joint parts, and preferably at least the second joint part at the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting or a water supply line is releasably attachable.

It is also possible that at least one of the joint parts and preferably the first joint part with a shower hose or a flexible water pipe is releasably connectable. In this case, an advantageous embodiment according to the invention also consist in that the ball joint according to the invention is interposed in a sanitary water pipe and in particular in a hose line.

A further preferred embodiment according to the invention provides that one of the joint parts and preferably the first joint part with a shower, kitchen or similar hand shower is releasably connectable.

A particularly simple, easy to manufacture and easy to handle embodiment according to the invention provides that the first hinge part is designed as a discharge part and the second hinge part as a connecting part.

Further developments according to the invention are listed in further claims. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to advantageous embodiments.

Fig. 1-4

ein Kugelgelenk mit zwei gelenkig miteinander verbundenen Gelenkteilen, von denen an einem ersten Gelenkteil ein übliches Auslaufmundstück anzubrin- gen ist, das beispielsweise einen Strahlregler oder dergleichen sanitäre Auslaufeinheit tragen kann,

Fig. 5-8

das Kugelgelenk aus den Figuren 1 bis 4 in einer abgewinkelten Relativposition zwischen seinen Ge- lenkteilen,

Fig. 9-10

ein mit den Figuren 1 bis 8 vergleichbares Kugelge- lenk, das jedoch an seinem auslaufseitigen ersten Gelenkteil eine Einsetzöffnung hat, in die eine sa- nitäre Auslaufeinheit eingesetzt ist und versenkt werden kann,

Fig. 11

ein mit den Figuren 9 und 10 vergleichbares Kugelgelenk, dessen zulaufseitiges Gelenkteil der- art tief in eine Einschrauböffnung an der sanitären Auslaufarmatur eingeschraubt werden kann, dass nur noch das abströmseitige Gelenkteil des Kugelgelenks über den Wasserauslauf der Auslaufarmatur über- steht,

Fig. 12-17

ein Kugelgelenk, bei dem zwischen den Gelenkteilen ein Drehanschlag wirksam ist,

Fig. 18-23

ein in verschiedenen Schwenkpositionen dargestell- tes Kugelgelenk, bei dem sich das auslaufseitige Gelenkteil und das zuströmseitige Gelenkteil mit- tels eines Drehanschlages praktisch nur in einer Ebene verschwenken lassen,

Fig. 24-25

ein Kugelgelenk, bei welchem die Drehbewegung zwi- schen den Gelenkteilen in Abhängigkeit ihrer Schwenkstellung zueinander in bestimmten Richtungen begrenzt ist,

Fig. 26-31

ein mit Figur 24 bis 25 vergleichbares Kugelgelenk, bei welchem die Relativbewegung zwischen den Ge- lenkteilen in definierten Richtungen begrenzt ist,

Fig. 32-35

ein mit den Figuren 12 bis 31 vergleichbar ausge- staltetes Kugelgelenk,

Fig. 36-37

ein beispielsweise mit den Figuren 1 bis 4 ver- gleichbares Kugelgelenk, wobei das Kugelgelenk hier in einer koaxial zueinander ausgerichteten Position von zuströmseitigem und abströmseitigem Gelenkteil (Fig. 36) und in einer zueinander verschwenkten Schwenkposition der Gelenkteile (Fig. 37) gezeigt ist,

Fig. 38

ein in einem Teil-Querschnitt dargestelltes Kugelgelenk, das an einem seiner Gelenkteile und insbesondere an seinem abströmseitigen Gelenkteil mit einer flexiblen Wasserleitung verbunden ist, und

Fig. 39

das Kugelgelenk aus Figur 38 in einer perspektivischen Darstellung, wobei das perspek- tivisch dargestellte Kugelgelenk hier in einer Verschwenkposition seiner Gelenkteile gezeigt ist.

It shows in different representations:

Fig. 1-4

a ball joint with two articulated joint parts, of which a conventional outlet nozzle is to be attached to a first joint part, which can carry, for example, a jet regulator or the like sanitary outlet unit,

Fig. 5-8

the ball joint from the FIGS. 1 to 4 in an angled relative position between its articulated parts,

Fig. 9-10

one with the FIGS. 1 to 8 comparable ball joint, which, however, has an insertion opening at its outlet-side first joint part, into which a sanitary outlet unit is inserted and can be lowered,

Fig. 11

one with the FIGS. 9 and 10 comparable ball joint, whose inlet-side joint part can be screwed deep into a screw-in opening on the sanitary outlet fitting such that only the downstream joint part of the ball joint projects beyond the water outlet of the outlet fitting,

Fig. 12-17

a ball joint in which a rotation stop is effective between the joint parts,

Fig. 18-23

a ball joint shown in various pivoting positions, in which the outlet-side joint part and the inflow-side joint part can be pivoted practically only in one plane by means of a rotation stop,

Fig. 24-25

a ball joint in which the rotational movement between the joint parts is limited in certain directions as a function of their pivoting position relative to each other,

Fig. 26-31

one with FIGS. 24 to 25 comparable ball joint, in which the relative movement between the joint parts is limited in defined directions,

Fig. 32-35

one with the FIGS. 12 to 31 comparable ball joint,

Fig. 36-37

for example with the FIGS. 1 to 4 Comparable ball joint, the ball joint here in a coaxially aligned position of inflow-side and outflow-side joint part ( Fig. 36 ) and in a mutually pivoted pivot position of the joint parts ( Fig. 37 ) is shown

Fig. 38

a ball joint shown in a partial cross section, which is connected at one of its joint parts and in particular at its downstream joint part with a flexible water pipe, and

Fig. 39

the ball joint Figure 38 in a perspective view, wherein the perspectively shown ball joint is shown here in a pivoting position of its joint parts.

In the FIGS. 1 to 39 different embodiments of a ball joint 1 are shown in different views. The ball joint 1 has a first joint part 5 and a second joint part 2, which are hinged together and have interconnected fluid channels. While one of the joint parts is releasably attached to a water inlet, the respective other joint part can be formed as a water drain or fixed or detachably connected to a water drain.

In this case, a first joint part 5 is provided, which with a spherical cap or the like spherical Stirnendbereich 6 its wall between a form-fitting socket 7 on the second hinge part 2 on the one hand and a condyle 8 on the other hand in the inner cavity of the first hinge part 5 holding member 9 on the other hand pivotally held. The holding element 9 passes through a connecting shaft 10 acting on the second joint part 2 through an insertion opening of the first joint part 5, the retaining element 9 connecting the fluid channels of the joint parts 2, 5 to one another. From a close-up view of the Figurren 1 to 39 it is clear that the first joint part 5 can be arranged on the inflow side or the outflow side of the ball joint 1.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 39 Ball joints 1 shown have an inflow-side and here designed as a connecting part hinge part 2, which can be fixed by means of an external thread 3 or an internal thread 4 to the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting 20 to redirect the water jet there and to align in the desired direction of withdrawal can. The inflow-side and formed as a connection part hinge part 2 in the FIGS. 1 to 39 shown ball joints 1 is pivotally connected thereto with a downstream and designed as an outlet part joint part 5, wherein the connecting part 2 and outlet part 5 have fluid channels which are interconnected.

The outlet part 5 of the ball joints 1 shown here is pivotally held with a spherical end region 6 of its wall between a shape-matched socket 7 on the connector part 2 on the one hand and a joint head 8 on a provided in the inner cavity of the outlet part 5 holding member 9. The holding element 9 intersperses with an engaging on the connecting part 2 connecting shaft 10 through opening 11 of the outlet part 5. The holding element 9 connects the fluid channels of the connecting part 2 and the outlet part 5 with each other.

From the FIGS. 1 to 37 It can be seen that the holding element 9 can be designed to be sleeve-shaped.

Since the outlet part 5 is thus held securely and firmly between the connecting part 2 and the holding element 9, and since the Outlet part 5 is not only secured with a sealing ring, the ball joints shown here can be relatively reliable and inexpensive to produce. Because the outlet part 5 is arranged pivotably in the socket 7 of the connecting part 2, connecting part 2 and outlet part 5 can be connected to each other without major transitions and in particular without aesthetically disturbing diameter jumps.

That in the FIGS. 1 to 4 in non-deflected relative position between the connector part 2 and outlet part 5 shown ball joint is in the FIGS. 5 to 8 shown in a deflected pivot position, in which the connecting part 2 and the outlet part 5 are arranged at an angle to each other. That in the FIGS. 1 to 8 shown ball joint has on the downstream side of its outlet part an external thread 21, on which external thread 21, a conventional outlet nozzle can be screwed. This screw-on outlet nozzle can carry a jet regulator or the like sanitary functional unit.

In the FIGS. 9 and 10 is an aesthetically pleasing ball joint 1 shown, are avoided in the large diameter jumps and the ball joint 1 virtually over the entire longitudinal extent of its contour has the same diameter almost uninterrupted. That in the FIGS. 9 and 10 shown ball joint 1 is aesthetically very appealing and shows that the ball joints 1 shown here leave the designer a comparatively large design freedom.

That in the FIGS. 9 and 10 shown ball joint 1 has at its outlet part 5 on a downstream insertion opening with an internal thread into which a configured here as a jet regulator 22 functional unit is used. This functional unit has for this purpose an external thread, which with a Inner wind is releasably verschaubbar on the inner circumference of the insertion. That in the FIGS. 9 and 10 shown ball joint 1 makes an outlet nozzle on the outlet part 5 dispensable.

In FIG. 11 a ball joint 1 is shown in its installed position at the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. At the in FIG. 11 illustrated embodiment, the ball joint 1 at its connection part 2 on an external thread 3, which can be screwed so far into a threaded hole in the water outlet of the sanitary outlet fitting, so that for the user, preferably all-sided mobility in the area of the water outlet practically does not occur at all.

In the FIGS. 12 to 17 a ball joint 1 is shown, which has an additional rotation stop 23. Although this rotation stop 23 can be a rotational movement between the connector part 2 and outlet part 5 by almost 360 °, but at the latest then to go to stop. The in the FIGS. 12 to 17 illustrated embodiment has the advantage that a sanitary functional unit can be connected downstream of the ball joint 1, whose adjustment mechanism also requires a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis, wherein the friction values of the adjustment of the sanitary functional unit defined differently to the friction conditions during the rotational movement of the ball joint 1 can be. If these defined different friction conditions are changed, for example due to aging of the elastomers used, so that they no longer differ from one another, it may happen that if the friction part 4 of the ball joint 1 is too high Sanitary functional unit, this functional unit can not be moved from one to the other switching position, since the ball joint 1 would rotate virtually endless. The in the FIGS. 12 to 17 embodiment shown can be rotated by nearly 360 ° until its rotation stop 23 in the in the FIGS. 12 to 14 shown position, which then allows an adjustment of the downstream in their coefficient of friction sanitary function unit, even with increased friction.

While the ball joint 1 in the FIGS. 15 to 17 is still slightly rotatable, the rotation stop 23 in the FIGS. 12 to 14 effective. From a comparison of FIGS. 12 to 17 It is clear that the rotation stop 23 has a radially projecting on the inner circumference of the outlet part and here pin-shaped stop 24 which cooperates with a pointing in the outflow and here also pin-shaped counter-stop 25 on the condyle 8 of the support member 9.

In the FIGS. 18 to 23 a ball joint 1 is shown, which in the FIGS. 12 to 17 shown ball joint largely corresponds, however, acts on the outlet part 9 in the radial direction projecting, pin-shaped stop 24 with two counter-stops 25 together, projecting on both sides of the stop 24 in the discharge direction on the holding element 9. That in the FIGS. 18 to 23 Although illustrated ball joint 1 allows a pivoting movement of the outlet part 5 in a pivoting plane, however, a rotational movement of the outlet part 5 and connector part 2 is prevented in the circumferential direction. The pin-shaped stops 24 and counter-stops 25 in the FIGS. 12 to 17 or 18 to 23 illustrated rotational stops 23 also act at fully deflected outlet part 5, that is, the pin-shaped stops 24 and counter stops 25 are dimensioned by their length so that even with maximum bending and contact of the stops 24 and counter stops 25 can be made.

In the FIGS. 24 and 25 a ball joint embodiment 1 is shown, in which the pin-shaped stops 24 and counter-stops 25 of the rotation stopper 23 only in a pivoting position for engagement (see. Fig. 24 ), while the rotation stop in other pivotal positions (see. Fig. 25 ) does not take effect. This has the advantage that in the in FIG. 24 shown pivoting position applied to the outlet part torque can also be transmitted to the connector part such that sufficient preload can be applied to the provided between the ball joint 1 and outlet fitting ring seal 26. If such a rotation stop 23 is not provided, the ball joint 1 can be performed only by a corresponding force attack on the outer circumference of the connecting part 2 on the one hand or by inserting a key in the inner hexagon 27 configured sleeve interior of the sleeve-shaped retaining element 9 on the other.

In the FIGS. 26 to 31 a further embodiment is shown in which the in FIG. 28 or 29 shown pivot angle α ₁ deviates greatly from the pivot angle α ₂ , in the FIGS. 30 and 31 is shown. Such an embodiment, which allows different maximum pivoting angles in different pivoting directions, may be useful, for example, in bidet taps to restrict the pivoting range of the water outlet and to prevent the water jet splashes over the edge of the bidet basin. It is from the FIGS. 26 to 31 and in particular from a comparison of FIGS. 26, 28 and 30 clearly that on the outlet end face of the holding member 9 on one side a stop lug 43 protrudes, to which the holding member 9 can create the inner circumference side so that a further pivotal movement of the outlet part 5 is limited. While the outlet part 5 only reaches a pivoting angle α ₁ when the stop lug 43 becomes effective, the outlet part 5 can be swiveled out in the opposite pivoting direction, in which the stop lug 43 can not be activated, up to a swing angle α ₂ that is relatively larger.

In the FIGS. 32 to 35 a further type of movement limitation is shown, in which the through-hole 11 penetrated by the connecting shaft 8 of the holding element 11 is designed such oval that movement in the plane of the drawing is possible without hindrance, while a relative movement between the connector part 2 and outlet part 5 perpendicular to the plane due to the short Axis of the oval-shaped through-opening 11 is comparatively severely limited.

In the FIGS. 36 and 37 a preferred embodiment of a ball joint 1 is shown. The ball joint 1 has a connection part 2, which can be fixed by means of an internal thread 4 to the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. The connection part 2 of the in FIGS. 36 and 37 shown ball joint 1 is pivotally connected to a spout part 5. In this case, the outlet part 5 is provided with a spherical front end region 6 of its wall between a shape-adapted joint socket 7 on the connection part 2 on the one hand and a joint head 8 on one in the inner cavity of the outlet part 5 Holding element 9 on the other hand held pivotally. The holding element 9 passes through an insertion opening 11 of the outlet part 5 with a connection shaft 10 acting on the connection part 2. The holding element 9 is sleeve-shaped here and connects the fluid channels of the connection part 2 and the outlet part 5 to one another. The holding element 9 has on the connecting part 2 facing the shaft end of its connecting shaft 10 has an external thread 44 which can be screwed into an internal thread in the connecting part 2. The provided between the external thread and the internal thread screw can be releasably or waterproof glued. In order to screw the external thread of the retaining element 9 in the internal thread on the connecting part, the sleeve-shaped retaining element 9 in the sleeve interior of its connecting shaft 10 has a designed here as a hexagon tool engagement surface. In the FIGS. 36 and 37 can be seen that adjoins the spherical end portion 6 of the outlet part 5, a cylindrical portion. In this case, the outlet part 5 is detachably connected at its cylindrical portion with a sleeve-shaped outlet mouthpiece 45, which carries in its sleeve interior designed as a jet regulator 46 sanitary functional unit. Between the holding element 9 and the inner circumference of the outlet part 5, a ring seal 47 is provided, which is arranged in an annular groove 48 on the inner circumference of the outlet part 5. This ring seal 47 is sealingly between the retaining element 9 and outlet part 5.

In the Figures 38 and 39 a ball joint 1 is shown, which is connected at its first joint part 5 with a flexible water line 60, while the second, here inflow-side joint part 2 connected to an angle valve, not shown here, or at the water outlet of a sanitary Outlet fitting can be attached. The first joint part 5 has at its, the holding element 9 remote earth region a thread 61 which is detachably screwed to a mating thread 62 at the adjacent line connection 63 of the flexible water pipe 60. In this case, the first joint part 5 acts with its Stirnrahdbereich designed as a sealing ring ring seal 64 which is provided in the interior of the pipe connection 63. From the partial cross-section in Figure 39 it is clear that in the interior of the first joint part 5 designed as a flow rate controller 65 sanitary functional unit is provided which limits the maximum flow rate to a specified value. For this purpose, the first joint part 5 has an outlet-side insertion opening into which the flow rate regulator 65 serving as a sanitary functional unit is inserted.

That in the Figures 38 and 39 shown and connected for example with a shower hose 60 ball joint 1 proves to be particularly advantageous because the functions of a Brausekniokschutzes and / or a Torsionsschutzes can be realized with the function of a flow rate regulation in a component 1. Such shower hoses often fail due to a mechanical overload at the clamping points, ie at the valve connection or the shower tap connection. With the help of the ball joint 1 used here, the shower hose 60 can be beautifully and efficiently secured against mechanical bending overload, because the ball joint 1 can accommodate a large tilt angle, which relieves the flexible water line 60 accordingly. Due to the all-round mobility of the ball joint 1, it is possible to install the flexible water pipe 60 torsion-free, which was previously possible only with correspondingly elaborately designed nipple constructions. The with the help of Ball joint 1 achievable torsion freedom of the shower hose 60 offers the user in the handling of a shower, kitchen or similar hand shower great advantages. This hand shower can be provided, for example, at the end remote from the ball joint of the water pipe 60.

Claims (15)

1. Ball joint (1) having a first and a second joint section (5, 2) which are connected to one another in articulated manner and comprise fluid channels connected to one another, one selected joint section (2) of which can be releasably attached to a water inlet while the other joint section (5) is constructed as a water outlet or can be releasably attached to a water outlet, the ball joint further comprising a sleeve-shaped retaining element (9) with a joint head (8), an external thread (30), a connecting shaft (10) and an inner sleeve cavity, and the first joint section (5) having an inner cavity and an insertion opening (11) and an end face region (6) in its wall that is in the shape of a spherical cup or spherical segment or a similarly spherical shape, the second joint section having a joint socket (7) and an internal thread (31), the first joint section being pivotably retained with its end face region (6) between the socket (5) of matching shape on the second joint section, on the one hand, and the joint head (8) on the sleeve-shaped retaining element (9) which is provided in the inner cavity of the first joint section (2), on the other hand, the retaining element (9) being adapted to be screwed with its external thread (30) into the internal thread (31) in the second joint section (5), and extending with its connecting shaft (10) acting on the second joint section (5) through the insertion opening (11) of the first joint section (2), and the retaining element (9) connecting the fluid channels of the first joint section and of the second joint section via its inner sleeve cavity, characterised in that the inner sleeve cavity of the retaining element (9) is configured as a tool engagement surface that is hexagonal in its internal cross-section.
2. Ball joint according to claim 1, characterised in that a functional plumbing unit (22, 65) having at least one jet regulator, a flow rate regulator, a backflow preventer and/or a filter attachment is provided on one of the joint sections (2, 5) and preferably on the first joint section (5).
3. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that one of the joint sections (2, 5) and preferably the first joint section (5) is releasably connected to a sleeve-shaped outlet mouthpiece which carries the functional plumbing unit within its sleeve.
4. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that one of the joint sections (2, 5) and preferably the first joint section (5) has an insertion opening on the outflow side, into which the functional plumbing unit (22, 65) can be inserted, preferably releasably.
5. Ball joint according to claim 4, characterised in that the insertion opening has a longitudinal axial dimension that is substantially similar to or slightly greater than the installation height of the functional plumbing unit (22).
6. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a pivot stop Is effective between the first joint section (5) and the second joint section (2), which limits the pivoting movement of the joint sections (2, 5) relative to one another and particularly of the first joint section (5) in a defined direction of pivoting, preferably on one side.
7. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a rotary stop (23, 24, 25) limits the rotary movement in every pivotal position of the first joint section (5).
8. Ball joint according to claim 7, characterised in that the rotary stop opens up or limits the rotary movement of the first joint section (5) depending on the pivotal position thereof.
9. Ball joint according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the stop (24) and the at least one counter-stop (25) pass one another in an extreme pivotal position.
10. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least one ring seal (32) is provided between the first and second joint sections (5, 2) and/or between the retaining element (9) and the first joint section (5).
11. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one ring seal is provided, and in that at least one ring seal is effective between the first joint section (5) and the retaining element (9) and/or between the first joint section (5) and the second joint section (2).
12. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the retaining element (9) protrudes into an insertion opening on the second joint section (2) by means of a connecting shaft (10), and in that the connecting shaft (10) is secured in the insertion opening by means of a splint or securing ring (41) acting on the free end of the connecting shaft (10) on the inflow side.
13. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the retaining element (9) has at least one insertion opening (42) in a cap-shaped partial region (8).
14. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that at least one of the joint sections (2, 5) and preferably the first joint section (5) can be releasably connected to a shower hose or flexible water pipe.
15. Ball joint according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the first joint section (5) is constructed as an outlet part and the second joint section (2) is constructed as an attachment part.

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