U.S. patent application number 11/854152 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for device and method for mounting a plumbing fixture to a supporting surface using an assembly plate.
Invention is credited to Karl Laher.
Application Number | 20080000018 11/854152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36568683 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080000018 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laher; Karl |
January 3, 2008 |
Device and Method for Mounting a Plumbing Fixture to a Supporting
Surface Using an Assembly Plate
Abstract
A device and a method for fixing a sink, a commode, a bidet, or
a urinal bowl to the floor surface or wall surface of a bathroom.
The base of the bowl can be mounted on the supporting surface in
question and can be fixed thereto by way of bolts, especially screw
bolts, penetrating boreholes located in the base. An assembly plate
is fixed to the supporting surface. The assembly plate is located
inside the base once the plumbing fixture has been positioned, and
is embodied especially with at least one guide for sliding parts in
which the fixing bolts for the fixture can be anchored.
Inventors: |
Laher; Karl; (Krems-Imbach,
AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER GREENBERG STEMER LLP
P O BOX 2480
HOLLYWOOD
FL
33022-2480
US
|
Family ID: |
36568683 |
Appl. No.: |
11/854152 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/AT2006/000116 |
Mar 20, 2006 |
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11854152 |
Sep 12, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/255.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 11/16 20130101;
E03C 1/32 20130101; A47K 1/05 20130101; E03D 11/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/255.01 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/00 20060101
E03D009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 21, 2005 |
AT |
A 484/2005 |
May 30, 2005 |
AT |
A 923/2005 |
Claims
1. A device for fixing a plumbing fixture to a supporting surface,
the plumbing fixture having a base to be positioned on and fixed to
the supporting surface, the device comprising: an assembly plate
configured to be fixed to the supporting surface and for attachment
thereto of the base of the plumbing fixture; fixing bolts
configured to penetrate through bore holes in the base of the
plumbing fixture and fixing the base to said assembly plate;
wherein said assembly plate is disposed between the plumbing
fixture and the supporting surface when the plumbing fixture is
mounted in position.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly plate is
formed with an outer border substantially identical in shape to an
inner edge of the base of the plumbing fixture, with the inner edge
of the base being positioned at least in part on said outer border
of said assembly plate.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly plate is
formed with bore holes for bolting said assembly plate to the
supporting surface.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly plate is
formed with bore holes associated with the bore holes formed in the
base of the plumbing fixture and configured to receive said fixing
bolts for fixing the plumbing fixture.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly plate is
formed with at least one undercut groove, and said fixing bolts
penetrating the base of the plumbing fixture are formed to be
anchored in said undercut groove.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said fixing bolts
penetrating the base are hammer head bolts.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly plate is
formed with at least one guide configured to receive sliding parts
and allowing sliding displacement of said sliding parts, and
wherein said sliding parts are formed for anchoring said fixing
bolts penetrating the base of the plumbing fixture.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said sliding parts are
formed for said fixing bolts to be screwed into said sliding
parts.
9. The device according to claim 7, wherein said guide is formed
with angled strips on an upper side of said assembly plate.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said strips have an
L-shaped or T-shaped cross section, and said sliding parts may be
slideably displaced thereon.
11. The device according to claim 7, which comprises one or more
screws allocated to said sliding parts for fixing said sliding
parts in position on said assembly plate.
12. The device according to claim 7, wherein each of said sliding
parts is formed with a tube section configured to receive therein
in threaded engagement said fixing bolts penetrating the bore holes
in the base of the plumbing fixture.
13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said tube section is
pivotally supported relative to said sliding parts.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said tube section is
pivotally supported in a plane of a direction of displacement.
15. The device according to claim 7, wherein said assembly plate is
formed with lateral recesses.
16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly plate is
a metal plate having said fixing bolts projecting from a side
facing towards said plumbing fixture, and wherein the fixture may
be slid onto said assembly plate with said fixing bolts projecting
through the bore holes in the base thereof.
17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly plate is
a strip, and the base of the plumbing fixture is formed with a
counter strip, and wherein said strip and said counter strip are
formed for clamping to one another.
18. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fixing bolts are
threaded bolts.
19. A plumbing fixture, comprising: a base formed with a recess
configured to receive therein an assembly plate according to claim
1; said base having a border extending laterally of said assembly
plate as far as and coming into contact with a supporting
surface.
20. The plumbing fixture according to claim 19, formed as a
commode, a toilet bowl, a bidet, or a urinal, wherein said border
runs completely around said assembly plate.
21. A method of fixing a plumbing fixture to a wall surface or to a
floor surface of a bathroom, the method which comprises: providing
an assembly plate, according to claim 1; fixing the assembly plate
to the supporting surface by gluing or screwing; subsequently
placing the plumbing fixture placed onto the assembly plate, with
the assembly plate between a base of the plumbing fixture and the
supporting surface; and bolting the plumbing fixture to the
assembly plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuing application, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
120, of copending international application PCT/AT2006/000116,
filed Mar. 20, 2006, which designated the United States; this
application also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119,
of Austrian patent applications A 484/2005, filed Mar. 21, 2005,
and A 923/2005, filed Mar. 30, 2005; the prior applications are
herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention:
[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for fixing a
sink bowl, a commode or toilet bowl, a bidet bowl, a urinal bowl or
the like to a wall surface or to the floor surface of a bathroom, a
toilet and the like. The base of the bowl is thereby capable of
being positioned on the respective supporting surface and of being
fixed to the supporting surface by way of bolts, especially studs,
which penetrate bore holes located in the base.
[0004] In conjunction with the fixing of sink bowls, commodes,
bidet bowls, urinal bowls and the like to a wall surface or to the
floor surface of a bathroom, a toilet and the like, difficulties
can be encountered to the extent that water pipes, gas pipes,
electrical cables, heating pipes, etc., can be present inside these
surfaces, which can be damaged by the formation of bore holes for
the fixing of the bowls. In addition, wall surfaces and floor
surfaces may exhibit a low load capacity because of their small
thickness or because of their poor quality, and they can be uneven,
as a result of which the fixing of sanitary fixtures is likewise
hindered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
device for mounting a plumbing fixture which overcomes the
above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and
methods of this general type and which facilitates the mounting of
sink bowls, commodes or toilet bowls, bidet bowls, urinal bowls and
the like to wall surfaces or to floor surfaces to a considerable
degree.
[0006] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is
provided, in accordance with the invention, a device for fixing a
plumbing fixture to a supporting surface, the plumbing fixture
having a base to be positioned on and fixed to the supporting
surface, the device comprising: [0007] an assembly plate configured
to be fixed to the supporting surface and for attachment thereto of
the base of the plumbing fixture; [0008] fixing bolts configured to
penetrate through bore holes in the base of the plumbing fixture
and fixing the base to the assembly plate; [0009] wherein the
assembly plate is disposed between the plumbing fixture and the
supporting surface when the plumbing fixture is mounted in
position.
[0010] The term "plumbing fixture" as used herein pertains to
sanitary fixtures and the like, including, but not limited to,
sinks, commodes, toilet bowls, bidets, urinal bowls, and similar
objects.
[0011] In other words, the objects of the invention are achieved in
that there is provided an assembly plate capable of being fixed to
the supporting surface, to which the bowl can be fixed, and which
is located between the supporting surface and the base of bowl once
the bowl has been placed in position.
[0012] The outer border of the assembly plate is preferably
approximately identical to the inner edge of the base of the bowl,
the latter being positioned at least in part on the outer border of
the assembly plate. Furthermore, the assembly plate can be
configured with bore holes or the like which serve for its fixing
to the supporting surface by means of bolts, especially by means of
studs. In addition, the assembly plate can be configured with bore
holes which are allocated to the bore holes provided in the base of
the bowl and which serve to receive fixing bolts, especially studs,
for the purpose of fixing the bowl.
[0013] According to a further illustrative embodiment, the assembly
plate is configured with at least one undercut groove, in which
bolts penetrating the base of the bowl are capable of being locked.
The bolts penetrating the base of the bowl can be configured as
hammer head bolts in this case.
[0014] According to one very important embodiment, the assembly
plate is configured with at least one guide, along which sliding
parts are capable of sliding displacement, in which sliding parts
the fixing bolts penetrating the base of the bowl are capable of
being anchored, especially of being screwed. This guide can be
constituted by angled strips provided on the upper side of the
assembly plate, along which the sliding parts are capable of
sliding displacement.
[0015] Furthermore, screws can be allocated to the sliding parts,
by means of which screws the sliding parts can be fixed in their
position on the assembly plate. In addition, the sliding parts can
be configured with sections of tube into which the fixing bolts
penetrating the bore holes in the base of the bowl can be screwed.
These sections of tube are preferably capable of being caused to
pivot in relation to the sliding parts in the plane of the
direction of displacement. Furthermore, the assembly plate is
preferably configured with lateral recesses.
[0016] Furthermore, the assembly plate can be configured as a metal
plate, projecting from the side of which facing the bowl are at
least two bolts onto which the bowl can be slid by means of bore
holes provided in its base. Furthermore, the assembly plate can be
configured with a strip or the like, to which a strip or the like
is allocated in the base of the bowl, both strips being capable of
being clamped to one another.
[0017] With the above and other objects in view there is also
provided, in accordance with the invention, a plumbing fixture,
such as a sink bowl, toilet bowl, bidet bowl, urinal bowl or the
like, which is suitable for use with an assembly plate as outlined
above and which can additionally be provided, in the area of its
base, extending as far as and coming into contact with a supporting
surface, with a border preferably running all the way round and
with a recess formed thereby.
[0018] According to a method for fixing a sink bowl, a toilet bowl,
a bidet bowl, a urinal bowl and the like to a wall surface or to
the floor surface of a bathroom, a toilet and the like by means of
an assembly plate according to the invention, this is fixed to the
supporting surface by gluing and/or by screwing, and the bowl is
then placed on this assembly plate, whereupon the bowl is fixed by
means of bolts to the assembly plate.
[0019] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0020] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in device and method for fixing a sanitary object to a
supporting surface using an assembly plate, it is nevertheless not
intended to be limited to the details shown, since various
modifications and structural changes may be made therein without
departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and
range of equivalents of the claims.
[0021] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a toilet bowl, as an axonometric
representation;
[0023] FIG. 1A shows the toilet bowl according to FIG. 1 with an
assembly plate according to the invention, as a vertical
section;
[0024] FIG. 1B shows the toilet bowl according to FIG. 1, as a view
from below;
[0025] FIGS. 2 and 2A show two first embodiments of an assembly
plate according to the invention, in each case as an axonometric
representation;
[0026] FIGS. 3 and 3A show a toilet bowl with a second embodiment
of an assembly plate according to the invention, as a view from
below and as a vertical section;
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of an assembly plate
according to the invention, as an axonometric representation and on
an enlarged scale in relation to FIG. 3;
[0028] FIGS. 5 and 5A show a first embodiment of a sink bowl with
an assembly plate according to the invention, as an axonometric
representation and as a vertical section;
[0029] FIGS. 6 and 6A show a second embodiment of a sink bowl with
an assembly plate according to the invention, as an axonometric
representation and as a vertical section;
[0030] FIGS. 7 and 7A show a third embodiment of a sink bowl with
an assembly plate according to the invention, as an axonometric
representation and as a vertical section;
[0031] FIGS. 8 and 8A show two fourth embodiments of an assembly
plate according to the invention, in each case as an axonometric
representation; and
[0032] FIGS. 9 and 9A show the toilet bowl according to FIGS. 1 and
1B with allocated assembly plates according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail, and
first to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B thereof, a conventional commode or
toilet bowl 1 is configured with an upper bowl rim 11 and with a
lower base 13. A toilet seat can be fixed to the bowl rim 11 by
means of bolts capable of being inserted in bore holes 12. The base
13 is configured with bore holes 14, which serve to receive bolts,
especially studs, for fixing the toilet bowl 1 to the floor surface
10 of a toilet, a bathroom and the like.
[0034] An assembly plate 2, which is fixed to the floor surface 10
by gluing or by screwing, is used to facilitate the fixing of the
toilet bowl 1.
[0035] As can be appreciated from FIG. 2, a first embodiment of an
assembly plate 2 is configured as a flat plate, wherein its size
and its lateral border are configured in such a way that the base
13 of the toilet bowl 1 can be positioned over the assembly plate 2
that is fixed to the floor surface 10, so that the assembly plate 2
is present inside the base 13. The end face 20 of the assembly
plate 2 is preferably adapted to the inner edge of the base 13 in
such a way that the toilet bowl 1 can be positioned on the assembly
plate 2 with positive engagement.
[0036] The assembly plate 2 can be configured with bore holes 21,
slots and the like, which serve to permit its fixing to the floor
surface by means of bolts. Furthermore, the assembly plate 2 can be
configured with bore holes 24 allocated to the bore holes 14 in the
base 13, into which screws serving for the purpose of fixing the
toilet bowl 1 can be introduced. What is more, these bore holes 24
can be configured with a female thread for the fixing screws.
[0037] The assembly plate 2 according to FIG. 2A differs from the
assembly plate according to FIG. 2 in that it is configured with a
recess 22 for the outlet pipe of the toilet bowl 1.
[0038] For the purpose of fixing the toilet bowl 1 to a floor
surface 10, the assembly plate 2 is fixed to the floor surface 10
by means of bolts. The fixing bolts in this case are provided in
positions in which there is no fear of damage being caused to pipes
or lines that are already present in the floor surface. As an
alternative or in addition, the assembly plate 2 can be fixed to
the floor surface by gluing. Provided that the assembly plate 2 is
adapted to the internal space of the base 13 of the toilet bowl 1
within the material tolerances, the toilet bowl 1 will already be
fixed in position as soon as it is positioned on the assembly plate
2 that is attached to the floor surface 10. The fixing bolts
passing through the bore holes 14 provided in the base 13 and
capable of being anchored in the bore holes 24 of the assembly
plate 2 are then additionally inserted.
[0039] An assembly plate of this kind can also be used for fixing
sink bowls and toilet bowls to wall surfaces and for fixing bidet
bowls and urinal bowls to floor surfaces or to wall surfaces. In
this case, too, the assembly plate, which is preferably adapted
with positive engagement to the bases of the sink bowls, toilet
bowls, bidet bowls and urinal bowls, is fixed to floor surfaces or
to wall surfaces by screwing or by gluing, the base of the bowl in
question is placed on the assembly plate that is fixed to the
supporting surface in question, and the bowl is then fixed to the
assembly plate by means of bolts passing through the base and
anchored in the assembly plate.
[0040] According to one preferred embodiment, an assembly plate of
this kind constitutes a component that is adapted to the sink bowl,
toilet bowl, bidet bowl or urinal bowl or the like in question and
is marketed in conjunction with it.
[0041] As can be appreciated from FIGS. 3 and 3a, a second
embodiment of an assembly plate 2 can also be configured
considerably smaller than the base 13 of the toilet bowl 1 or some
other sanitary bowl. This is appropriate since bowls of this kind
can exhibit a plurality of different configurations. Provided,
therefore, that the assembly plate 2 is only provided in a section
of the base 13 of the toilet bowl 1, in particular in its central
area, an assembly plate 2 with a single size can be used for toilet
bowls 1 of different configurations. This assembly plate 2 is fixed
to a floor surface 10 by gluing and/or by screwing. The toilet bowl
1 is then placed in position above the assembly plate 2 and is
fixed thereto.
[0042] The third embodiment of an assembly plate 2a according to
the invention depicted in FIG. 4 is of plane configuration on the
side by which it is fixed to a supporting surface, whereas it is
configured on the other side with undercut grooves 25, in which
sliding parts 26, that are preferably configured with female
threads, are guided in such a way as to be capable of sliding
displacement. Screws 27 for fixing the toilet bowl 1 are capable of
being screwed into the sliding parts 26.
[0043] An assembly plate 2a of this kind, which exhibits a size
such as to enable it to be arranged inside the base 13 of the
toilet bowl 1, is fixed to a wall surface or to a floor surface 10
by gluing and/or by screwing. A number of sliding parts 26
corresponding to the number of fixing screws 27 is then introduced
into the undercut grooves 25, and a toilet bowl 1 is positioned
thereon. Subsequently, at least two screws 27 are introduced into
the bore holes 14 provided in the base 13 of the toilet bowl 1 and
are screwed into the sliding parts 26, as a result of which the
toilet bowl 1 is fixed to the assembly plate 2a and thus to the
supporting surface.
[0044] As can be appreciated from FIGS. 5 and 5a, the same kind of
fixing can also be utilized for a sink bowl 3. A third embodiment
of an assembly plate 2b is provided in this case, which is glued to
a wall 10a or is fixed to the wall 10a by means of bolts which
penetrate through recesses 21b. In addition, the assembly plate 2b
is also configured with undercut grooves 25, into which the heads
of studs 27, which penetrate through bore holes 32 provided in the
sink bowl 3, are capable of being introduced. In the same way, this
assembly plate 2b can also be used for other sanitary bowls.
[0045] A bowl of this kind, especially a sink bowl, toilet bowl,
bidet bowl or the like, is preferably provided in its base adjacent
to the wall surface with a border 33 in particular running all the
way round, by which a recess 30 is formed, into which the assembly
plate 2b projects. In a sanitary bowl of this configuration, a
plate made of an elastic material can be inserted into this recess
30 in addition to the assembly plate 2b or, where appropriate, in
its place. The use of a plate of this kind prevents the sanitary
bowl that is manufactured from a ceramic material, and therefore
from a very hard material, from coming into contact directly with
the supporting surface, which as a rule is covered with tiles.
[0046] Depicted in FIGS. 6 and 6a is a variant embodiment of the
assembly plate 2b of a kind in which the assembly plate 2b is
configured on its upper border with an upwardly projecting strip
28, which is gripped from behind by an equal and opposing strip 33
provided in the upper part of the base of the sink bowl 3, as a
result of which the sink bowl 3 is fixed to the assembly plate 2b
both by means of the screws 27 and by means of the strips 28 and
33. This assembly plate 2b can also be configured with recesses 21b
for fixing to a wall surface 10a.
[0047] Depicted in FIGS. 7 and 7a is a fourth embodiment of an
assembly plate 2c, which is constituted by a plate manufactured
from a metal, especially from stainless steel, from which bolts 29
project. The sink bowl 3 is pushed onto these bolts 29 in such a
way that they penetrate the bore holes 32 provided in the base of
the sink bowl 3, the sink bowl 3 being fixed by means of nuts
screwed onto the bolts 29. Since this assembly plate 2c exhibits a
very small wall thickness, it can be provided between the wall 10a
and the lateral surface of the sink bowl 3 allocated thereto. This
assembly plate 2b can also be configured with slots 21c or the like
for fixing to a wall surface 10a.
[0048] The fifth embodiment of an assembly plate 2d according to
the invention depicted in FIG. 8 is constituted by an approximately
rectangular plate, for example, which is provided with bore holes
21 for fixing bolts and which is provided on its upper side with at
least one guide constituted by rails 41 which are angled toward one
another, in which guide sliding parts 42 are capable of sliding
displacement. The sliding parts 42 are provided at their free ends
with sections of tube 43, which exhibit an internal thread. In
addition, the sliding parts 42 are configured with threaded bore
holes 44, to which studs 45 are allocated. The sections of tube 43
can be capable of pivoting in relation to the sliding parts 42
about an axis oriented transversely to the direction of
displacement of the sliding parts 42, as indicated by a double
arrow A. An adaptation of the position of the sections of tube 43
to the direction of the stud inserted into these for the purpose of
fixing the sanitary bowl can take place in this way, as a result of
which easier assembly is also achieved.
[0049] An assembly plate 2d of this kind is fixed to a floor
surface or to a wall surface by means of a number of bolts
penetrating the bore holes 21. In addition, or as an alternative
thereto, this assembly plate 2d can be fixed to the supporting
surface by gluing. The sliding parts 42 are then pushed into the
guides formed by the strips 41 until the sections of tube 43 are
situated apart from one another by a distance exhibited by two
mutually opposing bore holes 14 in the base of a toilet bowl 1. The
sliding parts 42 are fixed in this position by means of the studs
45 that are inserted into the bore holes 44.
[0050] Fixing bolts which penetrate the bore holes 14 of the toilet
bowl 1 are then screwed into the sections of tube 43.
[0051] The assembly of a sanitary bowl, such as a toilet bowl, a
sink bowl and the like, is made considerably easier in this
way.
[0052] The assembly plate 2d according to FIG. 8a differs from the
assembly plate 2d according to FIG. 8 in that it is configured
along its lateral edges with recesses running in an approximately
circular form. The arrangement of the assembly plate 26 close to
the outlet pipe of a toilet bowl is made possible in this way.
[0053] The assembly plate 2d can thus exhibit any desired
embodiments. Desired embodiments of the assembly plate 2d are
required because sanitary bowls, especially toilet bowls, are
manufactured and marketed in a plurality of designs. By virtue of
the fact that the sliding parts 42 are capable of any desired
adjustment in relation to the assembly plate 2d, since the sections
of tube 43 are capable of being caused to pivot in relation to the
sliding parts 42, and additionally due to the presence of the
lateral recesses, this assembly plate 2d is suitable for fixing a
plurality of sanitary bowls of different design.
[0054] Reference is made in this respect to the representations in
FIGS. 9 and 9a, which relate to FIGS. 1 and 1B, wherein the
assembly plates 2d are additionally represented.
[0055] Reference is also made to the fact that the guide rail 41
can be of T-shaped configuration in its cross section, and the
sliding parts 42 can be of U-shaped configuration, wherein they
engage behind the guide rail 41. The function depends on the
configuration of the assembly plate 2d with guides, along which
sliding parts are capable of sliding displacement and of being
secured in position, wherein the fixing bolts for the sanitary
bowls are capable of being anchored in the sliding parts.
[0056] The use of an assembly plate of this kind permits
difficulties, which would otherwise be encountered in conjunction
with the fixing of sanitary plumbing fixtures such as toilet bowls
and the like because of the low strength or the poor quality of the
supporting surface and/or because of the presence of existing lines
in the supporting surface, to be avoided in a simple manner.
Furthermore, the fixing of plumbing fixtures to supporting surfaces
is considerably facilitated by this assembly plate.
* * * * *