AU2012361167B2 - Installation arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an installation arrangement comprising a frame having at least two receiving openings, wherein a first functional element is arranged in a first receiving opening, said first functional element being a component of an electrical and/or optical supply network and being fastened in a wall, and wherein a second functional element is arranged in a second receiving opening, said second functional element not being a component of an electrical and/or optical supply network.

Description

1 Installation arrangement The invention relates to an installation arrangement. 5 Within the framework of building installation technology, electrical installation units are used to supply electrical consumers with energy by means of sockets and/or to control the energy supply of electrical consumers by means of circuit elements. The installation units of such a supply network can be arranged in a fixed position in a wall and are frequently surrounded by a frame. Depending on 10 the local circumstances, installation units are arranged adjacent to one another to provide space-saving and visually attractive operating points. The installation units are arranged horizontally or vertically next to one another and are surrounded by frames having a corresponding number of reception openings. The dimensions of the installation units are of the reception openings in the frames 15 are coordinated with one another such that an unchanging design is maintained with different and variable combinations of installation units. The previously known solutions have no possibility to integrate functional elements outside the electrical supply network into such a frame concept. 20 It would be desirable to provide a variable installation arrangement which allows alternative and additional functionalities and in so doing is configured as assembly-friendly and visually appealing. Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when used in this 25 specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 30 In accordance with the invention, there is provided an installation arrangement comprising a frame having at least two reception openings, wherein a first functional element which is an element of an electrical and/or optical supply network and which is fastened in a wall is arranged in a first reception opening; 1a and wherein a second functional element which is not an element of an electrical and/or optical supply network is arranged in a second reception opening, wherein the reception openings have the same dimensions; and the second functional element has means to receive external articles or to couple external units 5 mechanically. Advantageous embodiments result from the description, from the drawings and from the dependent claims. The present invention has the advantage that additional functions can be combined in one central operation point by an integration 10 THE NEXT PAGE IS PAGE 2.

-2 of functional elements outside the electrical supply network into an electrical installation arrangement. Components previously arranged separately and having non-electrical, for example mechanical, functionalities can thus advantageously be integrated. Such an 5 arrangement saves space and allows a uniform appearance despite the most varied applications. The previous functionality of installation arrangements can thus be considerably improved. A need-based adaptation and conversion of an installation arrangement to io additional demands can be realized at the assembly site by the integration of such second functional elements. An existing installation arrangement can be simply upgraded to a multifunctional operating point. The geometry and the structure of the second functional elements, of the 15 electrical functional elements and of the frames are coordinated with one another so that complete compatibility can be provided. It is advantageous in this respect that in the event of retrofitting only an existing frame has to be replaced by a frame extended by a reception element and only has to be supplemented by the second functional element or can be exchanged 20 for a second functional element. The production and storage costs can be reduced by uniform dimensions and structures. Since the functional element of the electrical supply network is fixed in an assembly opening of the wall and since the frame is clamped or latched 25 between elements of this functional element, the installation of a second functional element does not require any complex and/or expensive assembly work. Depending on the design and on the function, a mechanical connection in 30 the corresponding reception opening with the surrounding frame is already sufficient to fasten the second functional element. This can take place in a -3 force-transmitting/form-matched manner, with complementary latch means preferably being able to be used. The functional element can be releasably fastened in the installation arrangement. 5 In a further embodiment, a fastening of the second functional element at the wall can take place, for example with an increased force effect onto the second functional element by external units. Screw-type or adhesive-type fastenings can be used for this purpose, for example. Complementary latch means advantageously assist the fastening so that a positionally io accurate positioning in the reception opening of the frame takes place. A large assembly opening in the wall as with the functional elements of the electrical supply network is not necessary. At the front side, the second functional element can terminate flush with 15 the frame, with it advantageously being able to be visually matched to the design of the framework or of further functional elements. The functional element can have an appropriate appearance. The arrangement of the functional elements is oriented on the local 20 circumstances, but in particular under the aspect of a non-influencing of functions. The second functional element can be configured in one part or in multiple parts and can be arranged as a central insert in the reception arrangement 25 of a multiple frame. The second functional element can form a self contained assembly. The second functional element can also be configured as a mechanical coupling point for external units, for example to fasten or to hold the units directly or at suitable holders. 30 In a further embodiment, the second functional element can have replaceable elements to be able to utilize the same functional element by -4 converting individual elements for other functions. In an advantageous embodiment, second functional elements can be adapted to different demands by replaceable or supplementary inserts or attachments. Optionally, complementary latch means can provide an additional fixing of 5 external units. The second functional element can be arranged in a bathroom, in a kitchen, in an office, in a workshop and in numerous other spaces. Reception chambers or holders for bathroom accessories, kitchen utensils, io office material or tools can, for example, be configured in this respect. In a further use, the second functional element can have a magnetic or adhesive surface so that articles or notes can be fastened. 15 Advantageous application areas for second functional elements can also result in the area of the presentation of information, for example visual and/or acoustic information. Differently configured second functional elements can satisfy specific demands on the presentation of the information. For example, the second functional element can have a 20 timepiece or a thermometer. In an advantageous embodiment, the second functional elements can serve as mechanical adapters for external units. In this respect, complementary devices at the second functional element and at the 25 external unit can cooperate so that a stable mechanical coupling can be ensured. Further details, features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the 30 drawings.

-5 There are shown: Fig. 1 a representation of a first schematically represented installation arrangement; 5 Fig. 2 a section through the installation arrangement in accordance with Figure 1; Fig. 3 a representation of a further installation arrangement; and 10 Fig. 4 a section through the installation arrangement in accordance with Figure 3. Components which are the same or which have the same effect are 15 provided with the same reference numerals in the following description. The design and the operation of the installation arrangement 1 in accordance with the invention will be described in more detail schematically in the following with reference to alternative embodiments. 20 The installation arrangement 1 is fastened to a building wall 2 and comprises a vertically aligned frame 3 as well as a first functional element 4 and a second functional element 5. The frame 3 is of rectangular shape and has two reception openings 6 and 7 which are of the same shape and 25 which are arranged over one another. The first functional element 4 is arranged in the upper reception opening 6, whereas the second functional element 5 is arranged in the lower reception opening 4. The first functional element 4 is an electrical installation unit which is an 30 element of an electrical supply network of a building or of a frame. The first functional element 4 is shown in the form of a socket in Figure 1. Any other -6 electrical installation unit is, however, also conceivable. The first functional element 4 is fixed in a fixed position in an assembly opening 8 of the building wall 2 and can in this respect be fastened in an installation housing not shown in any more detail. The connection to the electrical 5 supply network takes place via the lines (not shown) laid in the building wall 2. The first functional element has a unit base 9 which is surrounded at the outside by a carrier frame 10 which allows the fastening of the first io functional element 4 in the installation housing. A front element 11 is arranged at the front side. The front element 11 is fastened to the device base 9 with the frame 3 being interposed. The frame 3 is thus sufficiently fixed and positioned with respect to the building wall 2. In the assembled state, the first functional element 4 is integrated with surface alignment in 15 the frame 3. The second functional element 5 is not an element of the electrical supply network and has mechanical functions. The second functional element is configured with a reception chamber 12 at the front side in Figure 1. Many 20 further functionalities for the second functional element 5 are, however, also conceivable. The assembly of the second functional element 5 does not require any complex and/or expensive assembly work. The second functional element 5 is fastened in the reception opening 7 at the surrounding frame 2, with complementary latch means, not shown, 25 ensuring a force-transmitting and form-fitted fixing. The second functional element 5 can additionally be fixed to the building wall in a screwed manner provided that the function of the second functional element 5 requires such a fastening, for example on an increased force influence on the second functional element 5 by external units. The second functional 30 element 5 contacts the building wall at the rear side. In the assembled -7 state, the second functional element 5 is integrated with surface alignment in the frame 3. In the embodiment in accordance with Figures 1 and 2, the installation 5 arrangement 1 can be arranged in the kitchen or in the bathroom, for example. The reception chamber 12 of the second functional element 5 then serves, for example, for the reception of bathroom accessories such a scissors, cosmetic pencils or of kitchen utensils such as cutlery or pens. io An alternative embodiment of the installation arrangement 1 is shown in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 4. A frame having three horizontally arranged functional elements is shown in Figure 3. A first functional element 4 is an element of the electrical supply network and is arranged centrally, while a respective second functional element 5 is arranged above and below the first 15 functional element 4. The upper second functional element 5 has a reception chamber 12 at the front side. The lower second functional element 5 has a holder 13 in the form of a hook at the front side, for example for towels, keys or other articles. 20 -8 Reference numeral list 1 installation arrangement 5 2 building wall 3 frame 4 first functional element 5 second functional element 6 reception opening 10 7 reception opening 8 assembly opening 9 unit base 10 carrier frame 11 front element 15 12 reception chamber 13 holder

Claims (11)

1. An installation arrangement comprising a frame having at least two reception openings, wherein a first functional element which is an element of an electrical and/or optical supply network and which is fastened in a wall is arranged in a first reception opening; and wherein a second functional element which is not an element of an electrical and/or optical supply network is arranged in a second reception opening, wherein the reception openings have the same dimensions; and the second functional element has means to receive external articles or to couple external units mechanically.

2. An installation arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second functional element forms a self-contained assembly.

3. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element can be fastened to the frame and/or to the wall.

4. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element can be releasably arranged at the frame.

5. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element can be arranged at the wall in and lying on the frame.

6. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element can be arranged with areal alignment with respect to the frame at the front side.

7. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element has a reception chamber for external articles. 10

8. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element has a holder.

9. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element has a timepiece and/or a thermometer.

10. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element has a magnetic and/or adhesive surface.

11. An installation arrangement in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second functional element has mechanical coupling elements for external units. SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P39167AU00