HK40043017B - Joint arrangement for the pivotable mounting of a lid, a seat or a seat/lid fitting on a ceramic sanitary article - Google Patents

Description

Joint device for pivotally mounting a cover, seat or seat/cover fitting on a ceramic sanitary article

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a joint device for pivotally mounting a cover, seat or seat/cover fitting on a ceramic sanitary article about a rotational axis.

Background

Such joint devices for mounting seat/cover fittings on toilets are known, for example from EP1199020A2. Such a joint device or toilet seat joint described herein comprises, on the one hand, an elongated fastening element which is fixed to the sanitary article and is in the form of a spindle, and on the other hand damping means and an adapter for connecting the damping means to the spindle. The adapter has a blind hole through which it is mounted from above onto the spindle so that it is axially supported on the spindle by the blind hole structure.

The damping device and its extension adaptor form a rotational shaft, wherein two such joint devices or toilet seat joints are provided, as a seat/cover fitting is mounted. One damping device is connected to the lid in an adapted manner and the other damping device is connected to the seat in an adapted manner, for which purpose the connecting part of the damping device is engaged in an adapted manner into the corresponding seat or lid side container. This makes it possible to suppress the pivoting movement of the cover and the seat, respectively, by means of correspondingly assigned or coupled damping means.

As mentioned above, since the adapter known from EP1199 A2 has a blind hole, the spindle can only be introduced from below, or the adapter can only be mounted from above. Thus, the system provides only this fastening option.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of proposing a joint arrangement which is improved by comparison.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the problem, a joint device for pivotally mounting a cover, a seat or a seat/cover fitting on a ceramic sanitary article about a rotation axis according to the present invention comprises: an elongated fastening element disposed on the sanitary product; further comprising a bearing element having a first passage hole through which the elongated fastening element is engaged; a damper element which dampens the pivoting movement and has a connecting element which has a second passage opening, the elongate fastening element engaging the second passage opening or the elongate fastening element engaging through the second passage opening, and the second passage opening being mounted in the mounting position on a bearing element, wherein the bearing element has a fixing element which accommodates the connecting element in an adapted manner.

The cover device according to the invention in principle has an elongated fastening element which is arranged or fastened in a suitable manner on the sanitary product and which constitutes an interface for receiving the damper element. Furthermore, the joint device according to the invention comprises a bearing element having a first passage hole. The bearing element is engaged by the elongated fastening element, that is to say the bearing element has a first passage hole and can thus be pushed onto the elongated fastening element. In the assembled position, the bearing element is supported against or against the top side of the sanitary product ceramic. The bearing element serves to receive and support a connecting element which is either an integral part of the damper element or is arranged on the damper element. The connecting element is arranged in the axial extension of the damper element, which axial extensions of the two damper elements here also form a pivot. However, the connecting element has a second passage hole in or through which the elongated fastening element engages. In the assembled position, the connecting element adjoins the bearing element, which are connected to each other in an adaptable manner, i.e. the bearing element has a first mating geometry and the connecting element has a second mating geometry, which are compatible in terms of shape, so that a mating engagement is produced.

The joint arrangement according to the invention has a number of advantages. First, the formation of the second passage hole (i.e. the hole having a constant diameter and passing through the connecting element) provides the option of forming a tab device having different fastening options in connection with the sanitary product, wherein these fastening options differ in the manner of release. This allows for an easy release option which enables easy release, as described below, as well as more complex release options (requiring the aid of a tool) which can only be released in a complex manner by releasing the fixation means underneath the ceramic. Thus, due to the second passage hole, this requires in particular the use of various types of fastening elements, but also different fixing means for attachment to fix the connecting element to the elongated fastening element.

Since the bearing element is rotatable about the elongated fastening element formed as a rotational shaft and since the elongated fastening element engages into the second passage hole of the connecting element, the connecting element is rotatable about the elongated fastening element, and thus the damper element is rotatable about the elongated fastening element, it is also possible to slightly rotate and align the damper element with the bearing element by means of the fitting engagement, i.e. the alignment of the bearing element coincides with the alignment of the damper element. This can be achieved by the adapter engagement, since a slight rotation of the damper element necessarily results in the bearing element being driven. By means of such an adapter engagement it is also ensured that the area is not contaminated or can be cleaned effectively, since the result of the adapter is that no gaps or the like remain in the visible range.

Finally, the elongated fastening element engages over at least a portion of its length and is thus covered by the bearing element. Since the bearing element is supported or against the ceramic side and abuts against the bearing element and the connecting element at the top side, the elongated fastening element is not contaminated, since it is closed off in the manner of a housing. The bearing element can be designed such that it is easier to touch and thus can be cleaned in a simpler manner.

A feature of the invention is that the bearing element and the connecting element are adapted to be connected by means of an adapted geometry of engagement. Such an adaptation connection can be achieved in a simple manner, since the outer shape of the connecting element is circular at least in the element adjoining the bearing element, and the fixing element is designed in an adapted manner to be suitably circular. The round shape can be manufactured in a very simple manner, especially if the elements to be connected are plastic elements. Preferably, the individual adaptation geometries are designed as part-cylindrical shapes.

As mentioned above, the bearing element itself acts on the one hand as a housing or jacket for the elongated fastening element, and on the other hand also as a support portion for the connecting element, thereby also acting as a damper device. According to a first alternative of the invention, the bearing element can in this case be designed as a cap with a spacious bottom and as an adjacent narrower element with a securing element. In this configuration the widened bottom acts as an additional covering means, for example, to engage, that is to say likewise cover, the bearing washer on which the elongate fastening element can be supported, as described further below. Then, at the narrowed other end of the bearing element, a corresponding fixing element is provided, on or in which the connecting element is accommodated. Alternatively, the bearing element can also be designed as a simple sleeve-like element, which has a fastening element at one end. This configuration may be chosen if the covering of the bearing washers that may be present is omitted, or if it is not possible for technical reasons, for example in the case of a centrifugal mounting, which will be described further below.

In principle, the bearing element also acts as a design element, in particular when the bearing element has a widened base, since the geometry of the base can be selected in particular as desired. The bottom can be circular, for example, that is to say, for example, designed to correspond to the shape of the surrounding bearing washer, but can also be square or polygonal, as desired. It can also be designed uniquely by means of a corresponding coloring or for example white as in sanitary products, with the result that it is rather concealed, etc.

The elongate fastening elements are also different, as various alternatives are given in relation to the structure of the bearing element. According to a first alternative of the invention, the elongated fastening element may be a spindle. The spindle protrudes substantially perpendicularly from the top side of the sanitary product in the assembled position, as a result of which the damper element or the connecting element can be pushed easily from above through the first passage opening. As will be further explained below, the spindle itself may be fastened directly to the sanitary product, for which purpose it engages with the holes of the ceramic side by means of a corresponding element which is threaded and is fastened from below, for example by means of a nut, or an inclined counter bearing provided on the threaded element abuts against the underside of the sanitary product and the spindle is screwed or the like against said inclined counter bearing. Alternatively, the spindle can also be arranged eccentrically with respect to the actual hole of the sanitary product in which the spindle is arranged on the fixing washer and fastened to the sanitary product by means of a bar screw. Thus, provided herein is an offset arrangement of the holes relative to the ceramic sides, which in combination with a usual rotational mounting arrangement, results in a centrifugal mounting that allows rotation and alignment about two axes. This will be further described below. That is to say that the spindle is provided with threads at least in some parts for receiving a counter bearing element, in particular a nut, for fixing said spindle to the ceramic of the sanitary article, or that the spindle is provided on a fixing washer against the ceramic of the sanitary article and is fixed to the sanitary article by means of a bar screw arranged offset with respect to the spindle.

In order to fixedly connect the spindle to the sanitary product, it is expedient when the spindle has a collar by means of which the threaded spindle abuts in the assembled position against a bearing washer against the ceramic of the sanitary product or the spindle provided on the fixing washer abuts against the fixing washer. In the case of a centrifugal mounting, the collar is used to axially support the spindle on a separate bearing washer or a stationary washer carrying the spindle. The spindle may be secured to the eccentric fixing washer, for example, by a grub screw threaded into an internally threaded bore.

The ferrule preferably has a fixed geometry for functioning with a tool. The ferrule is preferably of square or hexagonal design so that a fork spanner or an open ended spanner can act thereon and the spindle can be screwed in.

As mentioned above, in the case of a very simple fastening option, the connecting element and also the seat, cover or fitting can be easily inserted and subsequently easily pulled out by means of the elongate fastening element or the spindle. In the case of such a simple fastening device, in order to achieve a certain axial fixing of the connecting element to the spindle, according to a expedient development at least one clamping ring for clamping the connecting element is provided on the spindle in the region, which spindle engages in the second passage opening provided on the connecting element in the assembled position. Such a clamping ring, which may be a metal ring for example, is supported or clamped against the inner wall of the second passage opening in the assembled position, thereby providing a certain axial stop which, however, is released by a very firm pulling force in the axial direction.

For easy assembly, when pushing the connecting element onto the spindle, it is preferred that in the region of the second passage hole, on the connecting element on the side directed during the pushing force applied to the spindle, a bevel is provided, which is in close contact with the clamping ring, thereby compressing said clamping ring. During the pushing in, this bevel is in turn in close contact with the clamping ring, which causes the clamping ring to compress slightly and, as a result of the compressed clamping ring being able to be pushed into the second passage hole, in which the clamping ring is radially supported.

It is also conceivable to provide at least one damping ring on the spindle, which ring dampens the pushing. The damping ring (a simple rubber ring) acts as a slight damping stop when the connecting element is brought into the final position, in which it is accommodated in a fitting manner on the fixing element of the bearing element.

As mentioned above, the first alternative of the invention described above is a pure insert solution, which can be fixed and released without the use of tools. A second fastening solution is provided on the spindle to form a threaded hole, in which tools are required for assembly and release, wherein the connecting element is fixed by means of a fastening screw to be screwed into the threaded hole. The connecting element is thus fixedly positioned on the spindle using a set screw, for which purpose a corresponding tool is required. The assembly, in particular the disassembly, is more complicated, since tools have to be used, in particular to prevent unnecessary, unauthorized release.

In this case, the threaded bore may be designed as an axial bore. The axial bore is introduced into the end face of the spindle which contacts the second passage bore, as a result of which, after pushing the connecting element, the fastening screw is introduced into the second passage bore from above and screwed axially into the spindle. Alternatively, however, a radial bore is also possible, which can be accessed from the side via a radial bore provided on the connecting element and leading to the second passage bore. The fastening screw can also be screwed in here simply from the side.

Preferably, whether axial or radial holes are provided at present, recesses or recesses are formed in the connecting element for receiving the heads of the fastening screws, so that the fastening screws can be recessed to the greatest extent and, if possible, not protruding laterally.

In the above-described construction, the spindle is always used as an elongated fastening element, either as a spindle fastened directly to the sanitary ware ceramic, or as a spindle arranged eccentrically with respect to the actual fastening screw. Both structures allow release by pulling the seat, cover or fitting upward, whether or not the tightening screw is released. However, the joint arrangement according to the invention also allows a construction in which such pulling out is not possible, but a very laborious means of release is provided. In this configuration of the invention, the elongate fastening element is a threaded rod having a head that abuts the connecting element. The threaded rod is first inserted into the threaded holes of the connecting element and the bearing element from above, then through the bottom end of said threaded rod into the hole of the sanitary product, after which the threaded rod is screwed down from below the sanitary product or the fastening plane by means of a nut or the like. The head of the threaded rod abuts against the connecting element, a part of which is again supported relative to the sanitary product by means of the bearing element. The release is possible only when the tool passes under the fastening plane to release the threaded rod nut, which is very complicated and sometimes only after the sanitary product has been detached from the wall if the sanitary product is screwed onto the wall, for example, due to the concealed arrangement of the threaded rod nut.

That is, the system according to the invention enables two different basic fastening types, in particular a simple plug-in solution that can be pulled up and a plug-in solution that can only be released in a very complex manner and that is also theft-proof. This is due to the fact that corresponding second passage openings are formed in the connecting element, which on the one hand enables the mandrel to be introduced from below and on the other hand the threaded rod to be introduced from above.

In the case of a structure with a threaded rod, the recess or recess for receiving the head is expediently formed on the connecting element, that is to say the head is positioned somewhat concavely with respect to the outer contour, in particular with respect to the contour of the element which is accommodated in an adapted manner on the fixing element. In this case, the head is preferably designed with a rounded top side, so that the preferred cylindrical base shape of the connecting element can be accommodated and the head extends at a level with the cylindrical base shape of the connecting element.

Furthermore, it is also conceivable to provide a cap which can be pushed onto the connecting element. Such a cap is sleeve-shaped, the inner shape of which corresponds to the outer shape of the connecting element, and is thus preferably hollow-cylindrical, the cap being pushed onto the connecting element from the side in a simple manner. The cover has a slit to engage it laterally around the bearing element. This construction makes the packaging of the actual connection area visually more attractive so that neither the second passage hole and the corresponding end face of the spindle (which may be provided with a screwed-in fastening screw) nor the head of the threaded rod is exposed or visible. This construction is preferred such that the outer diameter of the cover coincides with the outer diameter of the cylindrical damper element, whereby a continuous cylinder is provided after the cover has been pushed up.

The connecting element itself as well as the bearing element and optionally the bearing washer, the fixing washer and the covering washer may be made of plastic. The plastic structure, in particular the plastic structure associated with the connecting element and the plastic structure associated with the damper element (since both are of unitary design) and the bearing element made of plastic allow for a simple manufacture of the respective element and also provide for possible simple shape and color variations. The bearing washer, the fixing washer and the cap can also be made of plastic, but as well as the elongated fastening element they can also be made of metal. The bearing washer itself, which is preferably made of metal, may also be slightly convex due to the material stress of the washer supported in the assembled position, in order to achieve a permanent fixation or axial support.

In addition to the fitting device itself, the invention also relates to a sanitary product device comprising a ceramic sanitary product and a seat, a cover or a seat/cover fitting to be mounted on the sanitary product by means of one or two fitting devices of the type described above. The sanitary article may be a toilet bowl provided on a floor or a wall. In this case, the seat/cover fitting is used in combination with the two joint devices according to the invention with damper elements, as required, since the pivoting movement of both the seat and the cover is damped in the lowered position. If the sanitary product is a urinal, the cover can be mounted in a damped manner by means of only one joint device according to the invention, as long as one cover is provided. On the other side of the cover a simple bearing pin can be provided which together with the damper device and the connecting element forms or extends the bearing shaft and is fastened to the sanitary product by means of a hinge spindle. However, it is also possible to design the sanitary product as a bidet, in which for example only a seat is provided, likewise only a seat which is pivotally mounted in a damped manner by means of a joint arrangement.

Drawings

Further advantages and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an exploded schematic view of a joint arrangement according to the invention in two different embodiments,

figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of a damper element with a dedicated cap,

figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the bearing element,

figure 4 shows an enlarged perspective view of an elongated fastening element in the form of a spindle,

figure 5 shows an exploded schematic view of a partial section of a first structure of a joint arrangement with a mandrel according to a first embodiment of the invention,

figure 6 shows a basic schematic of the device of figure 5 in a partially sectioned assembly position,

figure 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a second construction of a joint arrangement with a mandrel according to a first embodiment of the invention in a partially assembled manner,

figure 8 shows an enlarged basic schematic of an elongated fastening element in the form of a threaded rod,

figure 9 shows a basic schematic of a partial section of a fitting arrangement of a second construction with a threaded rod,

fig. 10 shows an exploded schematic view of a joint device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which is mounted concentrically on a stationary plate,

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the fixing plate and the fastening screw and spindle, an

Fig. 12 shows an exploded schematic view of a partial section of a joint arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exploded schematic view of a joint device 1 according to the invention, comprising a damper element 2 with a dedicated connection element 3, the connection element 3 being designed as one piece with the damper element 2. The damper element 2 has a housing 4, which housing 4 is preferably made of plastic, and the connecting element 3 is integrally formed on the housing 4.

An adaptation geometry in the form of a flat protruding pin 5 is formed in a manner known per se on the damper element 2, which pin 5 is inserted into the interior of the housing 4 and where it is usually fluidly coupled to or interacts with the damping means, with the result that the pin 5 rotates in a damped manner relative to the housing 4. The pin 5 engages a corresponding fitting contour which corresponds in shape to the shape on the seat or cover, which fitting contour is fixed to the ceramic sanitary product on the top side by means of the joint device 1, so that a pivoting movement of the seat takes place with respect to a rotation of the pin about the rotation axis formed by the damper element 2 in cooperation with the connecting element 3. The basic structure of such damper elements and such seat, cover or fitting mounted devices are known, see for example EP1199020A2.

In the joint device according to the invention, the connecting element 3 has a second passage opening 6, that is to say an opening with a constant diameter. A flat or concave 7, that is to say a flat top side, is formed on the top side of the connecting element. The bottom side of the connecting element has a part 8 with a first mating geometry, which part 8 is provided with a circular outer shape, preferably a part-cylindrical shape.

The joint device 1 further comprises a bearing element 9, the bearing element 9 having a spacious bottom 10 adjacent to a narrower portion having a fixing element 11 in the form of a second mating geometry 12 at its top, which second mating geometry 12 is likewise of circular design and corresponds in shape to the first mating geometry of the bottom side of the connecting element 3. In the assembly position, which will be described further below, the connecting element 3 is located in an adapted manner by means of its adaptation geometry in the second adaptation geometry 12 of the bearing element 9, whereby the two are connected in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to a rotation about an axis through the second passage hole 6.

The bearing element 9, which in the example shown has a rectangular bottom 10, may have a similar or different circular or other geometry, also in the assembled position with a first passage opening 13 communicating with the second passage opening 6.

The two passage openings 6, 13 serve to jointly receive an elongated fastening element 14, of which two configurations are shown in fig. 1. A first alternative of the invention provides an elongated fastening element 14 in the form of a spindle 15, which elongated fastening element 14 has threads 16, which threads 16 are intended to receive a fastening nut or the like for screwing the spindle 15 onto a hygiene article. Adjacent to the thread 16 is a radially outwardly projecting collar 17, which collar 17 is laterally flat and thus has a fixed geometry 18, which fixed geometry 18 can be acted on by a tool, such as an open-ended wrench, in order to screw the spindle 15 firmly onto the ceramic.

Adjacent to the collar 17 is the actual spindle element 19, which spindle element 19 engages with the second passage opening 6 in the assembled position. A clamping ring 20 is accommodated on the spindle element 19 in the recess, which clamping ring 20 is radially supported with respect to the inner wall of the second passage opening 6 in the assembled position. The clamping ring 20 is advantageously a metal ring. Spaced axially from this is a damping ring 21 (for example using a simple rubber ring), the damping ring 21 inhibiting the pushing when the connecting element 3 or the damping displacement element 2 is thus pushed onto the spindle 15.

Fig. 1 also shows an alternative elongated fastening element 14 in the form of a threaded rod 22 as described above, which threaded rod 22 is capable of yet further fastening variants, which variants are discussed in more detail below.

From fig. 2 to 4, more specific details can be seen concerning the elements of the first variant of the invention, in particular the damping element 2, as well as the connection element 3, the bearing element 9 and the elongated fastening element 14 in the form of a spindle 15.

Fig. 2 shows the damper element 2 integrally formed with the connecting element 3 in an enlarged perspective view. The flat or concave 7 in the area in which the second passage hole 6 is formed can be clearly seen.

The cap 23 is also shown inserted onto the connecting element 3 in the assembled position. The cap has a recess 24 for engagement around the bearing element 9, the bearing element 9 being arranged in each case below the connecting element 3 in the assembled position. As with the damper element 2 and the connecting element 3, the cap 23 is also preferably made of plastic.

For all structural variants described hereafter, the damper element 2 as well as the connecting element 3 and the cap 23 are identical.

Fig. 3 shows in an enlarged detail a bearing element 9 with a spacious flat bottom 10, on which bearing element 9 a narrower section with an end-side fastening element 11 rises centering on it. It can be seen that the fixing element 11 is a circular, concave second mating geometry 12 which accommodates the circular first mating geometry, i.e. the bottom side of the connecting element 3, in a mating manner. The bearing element 2 is preferably also a plastic element, but may also be metallic.

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged schematic representation of the spindle 15, which is preferably a metal element, since on the one hand it must form a fixed connection with the sanitary product, but on the other hand must absorb the corresponding moment in the event of pivoting. Fig. 4 clearly illustrates the details already described above.

Fig. 5 shows the elements described before assembly in the form of an exploded schematic view in partial section. Also shown are damper element 2, which is integral with segmented connecting element 3, segmented bearing element 9 and segmented spindle 15, as well as bearing washer 25 mounted to spindle 15, again preferably made of metal. For assembly, the bearing washer 25 is first pushed onto the thread 16 of the spindle 15 and then pushed through a corresponding hole 26 in the ceramic sanitary 27, fig. 6 only showing approximately the assembly position. In the example shown, a nut 28 is screwed onto the thread 16 from the bottom side, the spindle 15 being firmly fixed by the nut 28, since the spindle 15 is supported against and mounted against the bearing washer 25 on the opposite side by the collar 17. The bearing washer 25 is preferably made of metal and is slightly convex so as to slightly deform when the threaded connection is tightened, ultimately creating an axial fixing pressure for fixing the threaded connection.

The bearing element 9 is then pushed upwards, the bottom of the bearing element 9 being dimensioned to engage the bearing washer 25. As mentioned above, the bearing element 9 serves to accommodate the damper element 2 or the connecting element 3, which damper element 2 or connecting element 3 is then pushed through the second passage opening 6 onto the spindle 15 or spindle element 19, the spindle 15 or spindle element 19 still protruding axially outwards from the first passage opening 13 of the bearing element 9. As shown in the sectional view of fig. 5, a bevel 29 is formed on the underside of the connecting element 3, i.e. in the region of the first mating geometry (at the entrance of the second passage opening 6). During pushing against the spindle element 19, the bevel 29 comes into close contact with the radially slightly protruding clamping ring 20. This causes the clamping ring 20 to be compressed due to the conical shape of the chamfer. During further advancement, the clamping ring is pressed against the inner wall 30 of the second passage opening 6, which can finally be fixed by clamping of the clamping ring.

When the final position is reached, the ramp 29 is in close contact with the damping ring 21, eventually the two fitting geometries come into damping contact with each other.

Fig. 6 shows the assembled position, from which it can be seen that the spindle 15 is completely encapsulated and that the outside of the joint device is formed by the bearing element 9 in the area below the damping device 2.

In this position, the damper element 2 can pivot about the axis of the spindle 15, only the clamping action of the clamping ring 20 resisting the pivoting with little resistance. This allows easy alignment of the connecting element 2 with respect to the seat and/or the cover. However, due to the two fitting geometries being fittingly connected, the bearing element 9 is also pivoted about the spindle axis by the connecting element 2.

In the above-described structure, the connecting element 3 is fixed to the spindle 15 by the clamp ring 20. Such a device can be released again conveniently, that is to say the damping device 2 can be pulled out of the spindle 15 again in a simple manner. Only the clamping resistance through the clamping ring 20 has to be overcome.

To achieve a more secure fixation, a structure as shown in fig. 7 may be envisaged. Fig. 7 shows in turn a partly segmented, partly assembled joint device 1 of the same construction as described above, i.e. with a bearing element 9 and a spindle 15 of the type described above, in addition to the damper element 2 and the connecting element 3. This differs from the previous embodiment in that an internally threaded bore 32 is formed in the end face 31 of the spindle 15, a fastening screw 33 being screwed into the internally threaded bore 32, the screw head 34 abutting the recess or pocket 7 in the assembled position. In this way the connecting element 3 is fixedly mounted by tension to the bearing element 9 adjoining the sanitary product. The length of the fastening screw 33 is set so that the cap 23 can be pushed up as before.

In this configuration, the connecting element can therefore be released only by means of a tool.

In principle, it is also conceivable to form a topside internally threaded hole 32 on the spindle 15 shown in fig. 4 and to provide the clamping ring 20 or at least one groove and the damping ring 21 or at least one groove on the spindle 15. This makes it possible to decide in situ by means of one and the same spindle 15 whether to implement the fastening variants shown in fig. 5 and 6 or the fastening variants shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of an elongated fastening element 14 in the form of a threaded rod 22 in an enlarged perspective view. The threaded shank has an elongate threaded element 35, which elongate threaded element 35 terminates in a head 36, the head 36 having a rounded top side 37 in the example shown. In this structure, the assembly order is different from the above-described modification.

As shown in fig. 9, the connecting element 3 is first pushed onto the threaded element 35 until the head 36 abuts the recess or recess 7. The bearing element 9 shown in the example, which is made of solid material, is then pushed in, that is to say not of sleeve-like design as shown in the above figures. If desired, a preferably metallic and optionally slightly convex bearing washer can also be pushed there, by means of which washer the bearing element 9 is then to be supported on the ceramic in the assembled position. If no bearing washers are used, the bearing element 9 is directly supported on the ceramic as shown in fig. 9. This prefabricated component device is then placed on the sanitary product 27 such that the threaded element 35 engages through the aperture 26. The nut 38 is then screwed onto the threaded element 35 from below the fastening surface on the sanitary product 27, the device being supported axially firmly by the nut 38. Prior to this support, the joint pivoting option of the damper element 2 and the bearing element 9 is also provided, since here too the first mating geometry of the connecting element 3 engages in a mating manner into the second mating geometry 12 of the bearing element 9.

Although fig. 9 has a bearing element 9 designed as a stable solid material element, a bearing element described with reference to the first structure and shown in the partially segmented view of fig. 5 may likewise be used. That is, with respect to the damper element 2 and the connecting element 3 as well as the bearing element 9, it is naturally preferable to use the same elements, to the extent that different elements should be used as little as possible to form an overall system.

Fig. 10 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a joint device 1 according to the invention. Here also damper elements 2 of identical design with connecting elements 3 of identical design are used. Furthermore, a bearing element 9 is provided, however, here the bearing element 9 is of sleeve-like design, that is to say without a bottom. However, the bearing element likewise has a fixing element 11 in the form of a first passage opening 13 and a second adaptation geometry 12, which interacts in an adapted manner with the first adaptation geometry of the connecting element 3 in the same manner as described above.

In addition, an elongated fastening element 14 in the form of a spindle 15 is provided, the structure of which essentially corresponds to the spindle 15 shown in fig. 4, except that no threads 16 are provided, but that the spindle 15 is terminated with a ferrule 17. An internally threaded hole is provided in the underside of the collar 17 into which, in the example shown, a support screw 40 is screwed in order to fasten the spindle 15 to the stationary washer 39.

In the assembled position, the bearing washer 39 abuts against the top side 41 of the sanitary product 27. To fix the fixing washer, a bar screw 43 is inserted into the passage hole 42, which bar screw 43 passes through the hole 26 of the sanitary product 27 and is fixed to the bottom side by means of a nut, which is not shown in detail.

Fig. 11 shows a view of the stationary washer 39. The bar screw 43 is shown on the one hand and the spindle 15 on the other hand. This structure enables the damper element 2 to have double rotatability to a greater extent, thereby enabling alignment. On the one hand, as indicated by the arrow P1, the fixing washer 39 itself can rotate around the axis of the bar screw 43. Thus, the eccentric spindle 15 can pivot about this axis.

Furthermore, as indicated by the double headed arrow P2, the connecting element 2 and the bearing element 9 are pivotable about the axis of the spindle 15 as in all embodiments. This also makes it possible to accommodate larger tolerances without any problems at all.

During assembly, the spindle 15 is first fastened to the fixing washer 39, after which the bar screw 43 is placed and pushed through the hole 26 and the bar screw 43 is fastened slightly by means of a nut. Then, the bearing element 9 is pushed, followed by the connecting element 3. The connecting element is in turn clamped by the clamping ring 20, while the damping ring 21 enables a damping contact between the two mating geometries. In this case, the pulling out can be easily performed. After the alignment means, the bar screw 43 is tightened and finally the position of the fixing washer 39 is fixed.

In contrast, the structure according to fig. 12 is almost identical to the structure according to fig. 10, but is also different. The construction shown in fig. 7 is only slightly different here for the spindle 15, since it has an internal thread 32. The fastening screw 33 is in turn screwed into this internal thread 32, the screw head 34 of the fastening screw 33 being received against or in a recessed manner in the recess or recess 7. Thus, a tool for tightening the screw 33 is required here to release the connecting element again.

All embodiments can equally use damper elements 2 of identical design and connecting elements 3 with second passage openings. The second passage hole may form different fastening variants, thereby generally creating a variable joint system.

The structure of fixing the connecting element 3 to the spindle 15 by means of the clamping ring 20 is very easy to release, but the structure of tightening the connecting element 3 to the spindle 15 by means of the tightening screw 33 can only be released by means of a tool. In contrast, the structure with threaded stem 22 is more difficult to release because its rounded head 36 cannot be engaged by a tool, and therefore the fitting device can be secured to the sanitary product 27 only by loosening the nut 38 from underneath the ceramic.

Claims (21)

1. Joint device for pivotally mounting a cover, seat or seat/cover fitting on a ceramic sanitary article about a rotational axis, characterized in that it comprises: -an elongated fastening element (14), said elongated fastening element (14) being intended to be arranged on said sanitary product (27) or a stationary washer (39); -a bearing element (9), said bearing element (9) having a first passage hole (13), said elongated fastening element (14) being engaged through said first passage hole (13); and a damper element (2), which damper element (2) dampens the pivoting movement and has a connecting element (3), which connecting element (3) has a second passage opening (6), the elongated fastening element (14) engaging the second passage opening (6) or the elongated fastening element passing through the second passage opening (6), and the second passage opening (6) being mounted on the bearing element (9) in an assembled position, wherein the bearing element (9) has a fixing element (11), which fixing element (11) accommodates the connecting element (3) in an adapted manner such that the bearing element (9) is driven by the damper element (2) when the damper element (2) rotates about the elongated fastening element (14).

2. Joint arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (3) is circular in external shape at least in the part (8) adjoining the bearing element (9), and the fixing element (11) is designed circular in a form-fitting manner.

3. Joint arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the component (8) and the fixing element (11) have a part-cylindrical shape.

4. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing element (9) is designed as a cover with a spacious bottom (10) and as an adjacent narrower element with the fixing element (11), or that the bearing element (9) is designed as a sleeve-like shape with the fixing element (11) at one end.

5. Joint arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated fastening element (14) is a spindle (15).

6. Joint arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the spindle (15) is provided with threads (16) at least in certain parts, which threads (16) are intended to accommodate counter bearing elements which fix the spindle to the sanitary product (27) or in that the spindle (15) is arranged on a fixing washer (39) against the sanitary product (27) and is fixed to the sanitary product (27) by means of a strip screw (43) arranged offset with respect to the spindle (15).

7. Joint arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the counter bearing element is a nut (28).

8. Joint arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the spindle (15) has a collar (17), by means of which collar (17) the spindle (15) with threads abuts against a bearing washer (25) on the sanitary product (27) in the assembled position or the spindle (15) provided on the stationary washer (39) abuts against the stationary washer (39).

9. Joint arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the ferrule (17) has a fixed geometry (18) for acting with a tool.

10. Joint arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that at least one clamping ring (20) for clamping the connecting element (3) is provided on the spindle (15) in the region, which spindle (15) engages in the second passage opening (6) provided on the connecting element (3) in the assembled position.

11. Joint arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that in the region of the second passage hole (6) a bevel (29) is provided on the connecting element (3) on the side directed during the application of a pushing force to the spindle (15), which bevel (29) is in close contact with the clamping ring (20), thereby compressing the clamping ring.

12. Joint arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that at least one damping ring (21) is provided on the spindle (15) for damping the pushing.

13. Joint arrangement according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that a threaded hole (32) is provided on the spindle (15), wherein the connecting element (3) is fixed by means of a fastening screw (33) to be screwed into the threaded hole (32).

14. Joint arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the threaded hole (32) is an axial hole or a radial hole.

15. Joint arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that a recess (7) or recess for receiving a screw head (34) of the fastening screw (33) is formed on the connecting element (3).

16. A joint arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elongated fastening element (14) is a threaded rod (22) with a head (36), the head (36) abutting against the connecting element (3).

17. Joint arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that a recess (7) or recess for receiving the head (36) is formed on the connecting element (3).

18. Joint arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that the head (36) has a rounded top side (37).

19. Joint arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that a cap (23) is pushed onto the connecting element (3).

20. Joint arrangement according to claim 19, characterized in that the connecting element (3), the bearing element (9) and optionally the bearing washer (25), the fixing washer (39) and the cap (23) are made of plastic.

21. Sanitary fixture comprising a ceramic sanitary article and a seat, a lid or a seat/lid fitting mounted on said sanitary article (27) by means of one or two joint devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims.