IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,937,743
Granted Patent B2
US 11,937,743 · App. 16/965,536 · Granted Mar 26, 2024

Fastening arrangement for a WC flap element

Inventor: Martin Niederberger (Uznach, CH)
Assignee: GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
A47K13/12E03C1/322E03C1/324E03D11/125E03D11/143E03D11/16E03D11/17
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,937,743
App. No.
16/965,536
Granted
Mar 26, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fastening system for a WC flap element, which can be flapped away from a support surface of a toilet bowl, comprising at least one mounting bolt extending along a center axis with a receiving portion, a stop portion for direct or indirect support on the support surface of the toilet bowl and a threaded portion, a hinge support, for mounting the WC flap element, with at least one mounting opening into which the receiving portion of the mounting bolt projects, and a non-rotatably mounted mating thread, into which the threaded portion of the mounting bolt engages. In the installed position, the center axis of the mounting bolt extends substantially at a right angle with respect to the horizontal. The receiving portion comprises a drive structure and the mounting opening is open toward the top, so that the drive structure is accessible and actuatable from the top.

Claims (66)

1. A fastening system for a WC flap element which can be flapped away from a support surface, lying in the horizontal, of a toilet bowl, comprising:

at least one mounting bolt extending along a center axis with a receiving portion, a stop portion for direct or indirect support on the support surface of the toilet bowl, and a threaded portion,

a hinge support, for mounting the WC flap element, with at least one mounting opening into which the receiving portion of the mounting bolt projects, and

a non-rotatably mounted mating thread, into which the threaded portion of the mounting bolt engages,

wherein, in an installed position, the center axis of the mounting bolt extends substantially at a right angle with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the receiving portion comprises a drive structure,

wherein the mounting opening is open toward a top, so that the drive structure is accessible and actuatable from the top, and

wherein the mating thread is part of a sliding block, which is mounted in a guide groove with play in at least one direction.

2. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the receiving portion has a constant external diameter,

wherein the external diameter is not enlarged in the region of the drive structure, and/or

wherein the diameter of the mounting opening is substantially identical to the external diameter of the receiving portion.

3. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive structure lies completely inside the mounting opening in the installed position.

4. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein toward the hinge support, the stop portion has an annular surface on which the hinge support stands.

5. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the guide groove is a part of a frame element, which is mounted in a rear receiving space in the toilet bowl.

6. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein for securing the hinge support, the receiving portion has at least one spring ring, or

wherein for securing the hinge support, the receiving portion has at least one spring ring, and

wherein the at least one spring ring is the sole securing element.

7. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the hinge support has end faces,

wherein at each end face, the hinge support has a receiving opening in which a hinge element is mounted,

wherein the hinge element extends around the cross section of the mounting opening, or

wherein the mounting opening penetrates the receiving opening and the hinge element extends around the cross section of the mounting opening; or

wherein a hinge part protrudes from the hinge support at the end face in the direction of the hinge axis.

8. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive structure is arranged at an end face on a free end of the receiving portion.

9. The fastening system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the drive structure extends from the end face of the receiving portion into the receiving portion.

10. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the stop portion has an annular surface toward the support surface, and

wherein between the annular surface and the support surface lies an elastic disk element, which has a top side, which is of a complementary form with respect to the annular surface and is in contact with the annular surface, and has a bottom side, which rests on the support surface.

11. The fastening system as claimed in claim 10 ,

wherein the annular surface is rounded in a concave manner and wherein the top side is rounded in a convex manner, or

wherein the annular surface is rounded in a convex manner, and

wherein the top side is rounded in a concave manner; and/or wherein the bottom side runs substantially in a plane.

12. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the hinge support extends along a hinge axis, and

wherein, as seen transversely to the hinge axis, in cross section its outer form is constant substantially over the entire length.

13. The fastening system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the mounting opening runs at a right angle to the hinge axis and, as seen in cross section, lies substantially centrally in relation to the hinge support.

14. An arrangement comprising a fastening system and a WC flap element,

said fastening system comprises

at least one, mounting bolt extending along a center axis with a receiving portion, a stop portion for direct or indirect support on the support surface of a toilet bowl and a threaded portion,

a hinge support, for mounting the WC flap element, with at least one mounting opening into which the receiving portion of the at least one mounting bolt projects, and

a non-rotatably mounted mating thread, into which the threaded portion of the mounting bolt engages,

wherein, in an installed position, the center axis of the at least one mounting bolt extends substantially at a right angle with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the receiving portion comprises a drive structure,

wherein the mounting opening is open toward a top, so that the drive structure is accessible and actuatable from the top,

wherein the mating thread is part of a sliding block, which is mounted in a guide groove with play in at least one direction, and

wherein said WC flap element is pivotably mounted on the hinge support and the toilet bowl, on which the fastening system is mounted by way of the at least one mounting bolt.

15. The arrangement as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the hinge support is covered by a cover element.

16. The arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one mounting bolt comprises two mounting bolts.

17. The arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein said WC flap element is configured as at least one of a seat ring or a lid.

18. A method for assembling a fastening system, comprising

at least one mounting bolt extending along a center axis with a receiving portion, a stop portion for direct or indirect support on the support surface of a toilet bowl and a threaded portion,

a hinge support, for mounting the WC flap element, with at least one mounting opening into which the receiving portion of the at least one mounting bolt projects, and

a non-rotatably mounted mating thread, into which the threaded portion of the mounting bolt engages,

wherein, in an installed position, the center axis of the at least one mounting bolt extends substantially at a right angle with respect to the horizontal,

wherein the receiving portion comprises a drive structure,

wherein the mounting opening is open toward a top, so that the drive structure is accessible and actuatable from the top,

wherein the mating thread is part of a sliding block, which is mounted in a guide groove with play in at least one direction,

wherein in a first step, the at least one mounting bolt is brought into engagement with the mating thread by way of its threaded portion such that the at least one mounting bolt can be displaced in its position relative to the toilet bowl,

wherein in a second step, the hinge support is brought into connection with the at least one mounting bolt; and

wherein in a third step, the WC flap element is aligned with respect to the toilet bowl; and

wherein in a fourth step, after alignment has taken place, the at least one mounting bolt is tightened by way of the drive structure, and

wherein, in a fifth, optional step, a cover element covering the hinge support is assembled.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one mounting bolt comprises two mounting bolts.

20. The method according to claim 18 , wherein said WC flap element is configured as at least one of a seat ring or a lid.

Assignments (2)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 1, 2024
From: GEBERIT HOLDING AG; GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
To: GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
Reel/Frame 068274/0529 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2021
From: NIEDERBERGER, MARTIN
To: GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL AG
Reel/Frame 055965/0641 →
Priority Claims (4)
EP 18153793 · Jan 29, 2018 · regional
EP 18153795 · Jan 29, 2018 · regional
EP 18153796 · Jan 29, 2018 · regional
EP 18153797 · Jan 29, 2018 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210045592A1 · Feb 18, 2021