Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fixing device designed for attaching a sanitary furniture item, such a toilet bowl and the like, to the wall, which allows an easy and practical connection by means of the adjustment apparatus thereof.

Background Art

It is known in the prior art to use fixing devices developed for purposes of fixing sanitary furniture items. In the attachment of a sanitary furniture item, such as a toilet bowl and the like, to a wall, a stud and a fixing mount are preferably used, and the fixing is performed at the desired position of the wall by means of an adjustment element in the fixing mount.

Said fixing devices are generally manufactured in standard sizes, and thus cannot be connected to items of different thicknesses, and they cause gaps in items that are beyond the standard size, thereby resulting in sagging and breakage thereof.

In order to fix a toilet bowl to a wall with the equipment used in the installation of a wall-hung toilet bowl, it is common to use Allen and set screws in the pulling process. In addition, it may be necessary to use a fixing part and a tightening wrench. In the pulling process of the sanitary furniture item towards the wall, it may be troublesome to match the Allen and the set screw. Furthermore, as this process is performed at the lower part of the toilet bowl, it also creates difficulties for the user. On the other hand, there are very limited tolerances for the item to converge to the wall, and if the tightening angle is not made correctly, the item may tend to detach from the wall.

Accordingly, there is a need for a fixing device that is more practical in limited space, that can be applied to different sizes and can be easily installed.

Objects of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a durable, useful and practical fixing device having an adjustable strip structure suitable for different thicknesses. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device providing ease of connection, and enabling the user to install same without using an Allen or similar apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device that offers practical installation, which is also long-lasting connection.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device that can be installed in an easier manner and can be removed smoothly, when desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device wherein possible size differences are insignificant, also allowing a smooth installation of a sanitary furniture item such as a toilet bowl or the like at any wall thickness.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a time-saving fixing device, wherein problems such as matching the Allen and the set screw are eliminated.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fixing device for use in the connection of a sanitary furniture item and attachable to a connection adaptor attached to a stud installed on a wall, comprising a clamping body for insertion into the sanitary furniture item; and an adjustment hole in the clamping body for adjustment purposes. The fixing device further comprises a first strip and a second strip interacting with the fixing device and extending along a longitudinal axis of the fixing device; a separate locking part movable on the first strip and the second strip to allow an adjustment in depth along the longitudinal axis of the fixing device; a plurality of adjacent locking tabs on each first strip and second strip so as to allow unidirectional travel of the locking part towards the clamping body; at least two engagement tabs of the locking part that are positioned on the locking part opposite to each other so as to be engaged with the corresponding locking tabs on the first strip and the second strip; and an adjustment apparatus arranged to be held and turned by the user, having a threaded end portion to be engaged with a threaded portion on an inner wall of said adjustment hole. Brief Description of the Drawings

The fixing device which is the subject of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings for better understanding thereof, which drawings are just included to better illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first type of a fixing device according to the present invention, as used with a suitable adjustment apparatus.

Figure 2 is a close-up and zoomed-out perspective view of a second type of the fixing device according to the present invention, showing a position thereof as disposed in the toilet bowl.

Figure 3 is a close-up and zoomed-out perspective view of the installation position of the first type of the fixing device according to the present invention in the toilet bowl, wherein an enlarged partial perspective view of the locking part is also provided.

Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of a toilet bowl to which the fixing device of the present invention is attached, showing a position thereof as connected with the wall, wherein the return path of the adjustment apparatus is shown.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the installation position showing the use of the toilet bowl to which the first type of the fixing device of the present invention is connected, together with the adjustment apparatus.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 5, showing the connection of the adjustment apparatus with the connection adaptor.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl, to which the second type of the fixing device of the present invention is about to be fixed, which has been converged to the wall, and a sectional view of converged connection detail, wherein the connection of the adjustment apparatus with the guiding element is shown.

Figure 8 is an enlarged and detailed cross-sectional view of the position where the adjustment apparatus drives the guiding element such that the tightening opening "H" in Fig. 7 is eliminated, and where the toilet bowl has converged to the wall.

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixing device (100) for use in the connection of a sanitary furniture item (60) and attachable to a connection adaptor (40) attached to a stud (51) installed on a wall (50), comprising a clamping body (10) for insertion into the sanitary furniture item (60); and an adjustment hole (12) in the clamping body (10) for adjustment purposes. The fixing device (100) further comprises a first strip (13) and a second strip (14) interacting with the fixing device (100) and extending along a longitudinal axis (XI) of the fixing device (100); a separate locking part (30) movable on the first strip (13) and the second strip (14) to allow an adjustment in depth along the longitudinal axis (XI) of the fixing device (100); a plurality of adjacent locking tabs (16) on each first strip (13) and second strip (14) so as to allow unidirectional travel of the locking part (30) towards the clamping body (10); at least two engagement tabs (33) of the locking part (30) that are positioned on the locking part (30) opposite to each other so as to be engaged with the corresponding locking tabs (16) on the first strip (13) and the second strip (14); and an adjustment apparatus (20) arranged to be held and turned by the user, having a threaded end portion (22) to be engaged with a threaded portion (11) on an inner wall of said adjustment hole (12). Thus, the fixing device (100) ensures that a sanitary furniture item (60) such as a toilet bowl or the like, with which it is connected, is fixed to an existing wall (50) with no gaps therebetween.

Within the scope of the present invention, in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6, the fixing device (100) in the first type of embodiment is shown, while in Figs. 2, 7 and 8 the fixing device (100) in the second type of embodiment is shown. The fixing device (100) described within the scope of the present invention is used in the easy and practical connection of toilet bowls having different sizes and dimensions. Currently, the flexible strip structures allow unidirectional travel, while ensuring that the toilet bowl is held tightly upon the desired adjustment. As can be best seen in Fig. 3, each engagement tab (33) has at least one tab opening (32) so as to allow it to be partially flexible. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each engagement tab (33) comprises a tab opening (32) extending parallel to the axis of the locking part (30) and formed to be located on both sides of the engagement tab (33). The tab opening (32) is in the form of a groove partially extending at a direction above and below the engagement tab (33). The present tab opening (32) also determines the flexibility ratio of said engagement tab (33). The locking part (30) of the invention is a discrete member and is formed as a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape suitable for being moved on the first strip (13) and the second strip (14). All types of the fixing devices (100) of the present invention are suitable for use with an adjustment apparatus (20) that provides a comfortable installation. As can be seen in Fig. 1, said adjustment apparatus (20) comprises an adjustment apparatus body (21) which, when in use, extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (XI) of the fixing device. The adjustment apparatus body (21) preferably extends along a longitudinal axis in cylindrical form. A threaded end portion (22) having helically extending threads is located at an end of the adjustment apparatus body (21). As can be seen in Fig. 3, the threaded end portion (22) can be engaged into the adjustment hole (12) on the clamping body (10) and rotated in an easy manner. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is a handle (23) at the other end of the adjustment apparatus body (21), suitable to be held by the user. Said handle (23) preferably also comprises two symmetrical handle extensions (26) that extend perpendicular to the adjustment apparatus body (21). In addition, said handle (23) comprises a handle connection part (24), the inner side of which is in the form of a slot so as to surround an end of the adjustment apparatus body (21).

Referring to Fig. 6, the threaded end portion (22) comprises an abutment end (25) which, when in use, will contact the depressed hollow portion of the connection adaptor (40). In the first type fixing device (100), the connection adaptor (40) is inserted into the clamping body (10), and the threaded end portion (22) extending through the adjustment hole (12) moves on the hollow portion and extracts power from the connection adaptor connected to the stud (51), thereby ensuring that the connection adaptor and the toilet bowl are pulled towards the wall (50). One of the advantages of the invention is that the adjustment hole (12) in the lower part is easily accessible and the installation is rendered practical due to the fact that the set screw and Allen are made as a single piece with the adjustment apparatus (20). Thus, the need for an Allen and a similar apparatus is also eliminated. Thanks to the long length of the adjustment apparatus, an easy and durable installation can be made.

Referring to Fig. 3, each engagement tab (33) includes a V-sectioned tab end (34) for locking. The opposing locking tabs (16) are also configured such that they are adjacent to each other and have a "V" section.

Both in the first type and the second type fixing device (100), each first strip (13) and second strip (14) are symmetrical with each other and have an open-ended (15) L section. In a further embodiment of the invention, the first strip (13) and the second strip (14) can be combined with each other. Said first strip (13) and second strip (14) are made of a flexible and plastic-based material to be suitable to be cut upon adjustment. Thus, after the user drives the locking part (30) in one direction, the remaining strips can be cut with a suitable cutter.

Referring to Fig. 7, after the second type fixing device (100) is attached to the toilet bowl and adjusted, there remains the tightening opening "H". In the first stage, the adjustment apparatus (20) is matched with the appropriate adjustment hole (12) and preferably rotated clockwise. In the next stage, as can be seen in Fig. 8, the end of the connection adaptor (40) having a neck is guided in the guiding element (18) and a pulling force is applied to the connection adaptor (40) by driving the guiding element (18) having an inclined surface with the adjustment apparatus (20) and thus the toilet bowl is pulled towards the wall (50) such that the tightening opening (H) is closed.

On the said locking part (30), there are a number of fins (31) extending in the radial direction, enabling better attachment and centering. The fins (31) having a substantially triangular cross section extending circumferentially at regular intervals ensure better attachment. After the locking part (30) is driven on the strips to arrive to the final stage, the fins (31) are crushed and compressed by applying pressure to the area in which they are located. The fixing device (100) may also be provided as a fixing kit with the connection adaptor (40) and the stud (51).

In the first type embodiment of the invention, the fixing device (100) can be used together with a connection adaptor (40) having an inwardly depressed radial groove. The connection adaptor (40) is partially inserted into the inner slot (17) in the clamping body (10). The radial groove of the connection adaptor (40) is inserted so as to match the adjustment hole (12). In the next stage, a pulling effect occurs on the connection adaptor (40) as the adjustment apparatus (20) is moved towards and presses against the inclined surface whereas a pushing effect occurs on the clamping body (10) towards the inner wall of the toilet bowl in the axial direction. In this way, the installation process can be performed by tightening the toilet bowl until it is adjacent to the wall (50).

In the second type embodiment of the invention, the fixing device (100) can be used together with a connection adaptor (40) having a tip and a neck. In the said second type of embodiment, there is a guiding element (18) having an L section and an inclined surface, which is moved by the adjustment apparatus (20). By moving the guiding element (18), it compresses the neck portion of the connection adaptor (40) whereby a pushing effect towards the inner wall can be created so as to complete the connection.

Although the first strip (13) and the second strip (14) disclosed within the scope of the invention are shown in the figures being integral with the clamping body (10), it is possible to use an intermediate connection element. It can be configured to be in mechanical communication with the clamping body (10) by means of different fixing devices or intermediate adjustment elements. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking tabs (16) of said two adjustable strips (13, 14) extend facing each other and in the axial direction adjacent to the fixing device (100). In a further embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to position more than two adjustable strips in different positions such that they do not face each other.

Before using the fixing device (100), a stud (51) preferably having a threaded portion thereon is suitably disposed on the wall (50) where connection is to be performed. Then, a connection adaptor (40) which is preferably cylindrical and including an internal threaded portion is used to match with the stud (51) and is engaged with the stud (51) in the next stage.

The sanitary furniture item (60) may be a toilet bowl or a similar item.

The invention will herein be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the list of part numbers used in the figures is as follows.

10. Clamping body

11. Threaded portion

12. Adjustment hole

13. First strip

14. Second strip

15. Open end

16. Locking tab

17. Inner slot

18. Guiding element 20. Adjustment apparatus

21. Adjustment apparatus body

22. Threaded end portion

23. Handle

24. Handle connection part

25. Abutment end

26. Handle extension

30. Locking part

31. Fin

32. Tab opening

33. Engagement tab

34. Tab end

40. Connection adaptor

50. Wall

51. Stud

60. Sanitary furniture item

100. Fixing device

XI. Longitudinal axis of the fixing device

H. Tightening opening