HINGED ARRANGEMENT FOR SWIVEL MOUNTING OF A COVER, A SEAT OR A SEAT-COVER SET ON A CERAMIC SANITARY OBJECT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a joint arrangement for pivoting a lid, a seat or a seat-lid set about a pivot axis on a ceramic sanitary object.

[0002] Such a joint arrangement for mounting a seat and lid assembly on a toilet is known, for example, from EP 1 199 020 A2 or DE 10 2014 105342 A1. Such a joint arrangement, or a toilet seat joint described therein, comprises, on the one hand, an elongated fastening element in the form of a pin to be attached to the sanitary fixture, a damping device, and, on the other hand, an adapter that serves to connect the damping device to the pin. This adapter has a blind hole through which it is placed onto the pin from above, so that, due to the design of the blind hole, it is axially supported on the pin.

[0003] The damping device and, by extension, the adapter form a pivot axis. After a seat-lid assembly is mounted there, two such joint assemblies, or toilet seat joints, are provided. One damping device is positively coupled to the lid, the other to the seat, with coupling sections of the damping devices engaging positively in corresponding receptacles on the seat and lid, respectively. This allows the pivoting movement of both the lid and the seat to be dampened separately via their respective associated or coupled damping devices.

[0004] As described, the adapter known from EP 1 199 020 A2 has a blind hole, meaning the mandrel can only be inserted from below and the adapter can only be attached from above. Therefore, the system only offers this one fastening option.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the problem of specifying an improved joint arrangement in comparison.

[0006] To solve this problem, according to the invention a joint arrangement for pivoting a lid, a seat or a seat-lid set about a pivot axis on a ceramic sanitary object according to claim 1 is provided.

[0007] The cover assembly according to the invention generally comprises an elongated fastening element, which is to be arranged or fixed to the sanitary ware in a suitable manner and which forms the interface for receiving the damping element. Furthermore, the hinge assembly according to the invention includes a bearing element with a through-hole. This bearing element is penetrated by the elongated fastening element, meaning that it has a through-hole and can therefore be slid onto the fastening element. In the installed position, the bearing element is supported towards the sanitary ware or rests on its upper surface. This bearing element serves to receive and support the connecting element, which is either an integral part of the damping element or arranged on it. The connecting element is provided in axial extension of the damping element; both together form the pivot axis.However, the connecting element has a through-hole into which the fastening element engages or through which it passes. In the assembled position, the connecting element rests on the bearing element, with both being positively coupled to each other; that is, the bearing element has a first positive-locking geometry and the connecting element has a second positive-locking geometry, both of which are form-compatible, resulting in a positive-locking engagement.

[0008] The joint arrangement according to the invention has a number of advantages. First, the design of a through-hole, i.e., a hole with a constant diameter that passes through the connecting element, offers the possibility of designing the joint arrangement with different fastening options relative to the sanitary fixture, with these fastening options differing in the manner and way in which they are released. This allows, as will be discussed below, a simple solution that permits easy removal, as well as more complex solutions requiring a tool, and even solutions that can only be released with considerable effort by loosening fasteners beneath the ceramic.This is because the through-hole allows, in particular, the use of various types of fasteners, but also the attachment of different fasteners to fix the connecting element to the fastener.

[0009] Since the bearing element can rotate around the mounting element, which essentially forms an axis of rotation, and since the mounting element engages in the through-hole of the connecting element, allowing the connecting element and thus the damper element to be rotated around the mounting element, the positive-locking engagement also makes it possible to slightly rotate and align the damper element together with the bearing element. This means that the orientation of the bearing element follows that of the damper element. This is possible because a slight rotation of the damper element inevitably results in the bearing element moving along with it. This positive-locking engagement also ensures that the area cannot become contaminated and is easily cleaned, as the positive fit leaves no significant gaps or similar defects.

[0010] Finally, the elongated fastening element is enclosed and therefore covered by the bearing element, at least along part of its length. Since the bearing element is supported by a ceramic surface, and the connecting element rests on top of the bearing element, the fastening element cannot become dirty, as it is essentially enclosed like a housing. The bearing element can be designed for significantly better accessibility, thus simplifying cleaning.

[0011] A feature relevant to the invention is the positive-locking coupling of the bearing element and the connecting element via the engagement of their positive-locking geometries. Such a positive-locking coupling can be easily achieved by the connecting element having a rounded outer shape, at least in the section in contact with the bearing element, and by the retaining section being designed with a compatible rounded shape. Rounded shapes can be manufactured very easily, especially if the components to be coupled are made of plastic. Preferably, the respective positive-locking geometry is designed as a partial cylindrical shape.

[0012] As described, the bearing element itself serves both to enclose or encapsulate the fastening element and to support the connecting element and thus the damping device. According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, the bearing element can be designed like a cap with a wide base and a narrower section adjoining it, which includes the retaining section. In this embodiment, the widening base serves as an additional covering means to, for example, overlap and cover a bearing disc on which, as will be described below, the fastening element can be supported. The corresponding retaining section, in which the connecting element is received, is then provided at the narrowing end of the bearing element.Alternatively, the bearing element can also be designed as a simple sleeve-like component with a retaining section at one end. This design can be chosen if covering any bearing disc is not required, or if this is not possible for technical reasons, for example, in the case of an eccentric bearing, which will be described below.

[0013] In principle, the bearing element, especially when it features a widened base, also serves as a design element, as the base geometry can be freely chosen. For example, the base can be round, thus resembling the shape of an overlapping bearing disc, or it can be square or polygonal, depending on preference. It can also be made more conspicuous through appropriate coloring, or, for example, rendered in white like the sanitary fitting, so that it is more discreet, etc.

[0014] As there are various alternatives regarding the design of the bearing element, this is also the case for the fastening element. According to the invention, the elongated fastening element is a pin. In the installed position, this pin projects essentially vertically from the top of the sanitary fixture, so that the damping element or connecting element can be easily slid onto it from above via the through-hole. This pin, which will be discussed below, can either be fixed directly to the sanitary fixture itself, for which purpose it engages with a corresponding threaded section through the ceramic-side bore and is, for example, secured from below with a nut, or a tilting stop arranged on the threaded section is supported on the underside of the sanitary fixture and the pin is screwed relative to it, etc.Alternatively, the pin can also be arranged almost eccentrically to the actual bore of the sanitary fixture by being mounted on a retaining disc, which in turn is fixed to the sanitary fixture by a fastening screw. This arrangement is thus offset relative to the ceramic-side bore, which, in conjunction with the usual rotary bearing, creates an eccentric bearing that allows rotation and thus alignment around two axes. This will be discussed in more detail below. This means that either the pin is provided, at least partially, with a thread for receiving a counter-element, in particular a nut, that fixes it to the sanitary ceramic, or that the pin is mounted on a retaining disc that rests against the sanitary ceramic and is fixed to the sanitary fixture by a fastening screw that is offset from the pin.

[0015] To securely connect the pin to the sanitary fixture, it is advantageous for the pin to have a collar. This collar allows the threaded pin to rest against a bearing washer on the sanitary ceramic in the installed position, or, if mounted on a retaining washer, against the retaining washer itself. This collar provides axial support for the pin, either against a separate bearing washer or, in the case of eccentric mounting, against the retaining washer. The pin can be fixed to the eccentric retaining washer, for example, by means of a setscrew screwed into an internally threaded bore.

[0016] Preferably, the collar has a gripping geometry for gripping with a tool. For example, the collar is square or hexagonal, so that a wrench or open-end wrench can be used to grip it and the mandrel can be screwed in.

[0017] As described, this very simple fastening method allows for easy insertion and removal of the connecting element, and consequently also of the seat, cover, or fitting from the fastening element or the mandrel. To achieve a degree of axial fixation of the connecting element to the mandrel even with this simple fastening arrangement, a practical improvement provides at least one clamping ring for the connecting element in the area on the mandrel that engages in the through-hole provided in the fastening element when in the assembled position. This clamping ring, for example, a metal ring, spreads or clamps itself against the inner wall of the through-hole in the assembled position, thus providing a degree of axial locking. However, this locking can be released by pulling with sufficient force in the axial direction.

[0018] For easy assembly when sliding the connecting element onto the mandrel, a chamfer is preferably provided on the leading side of the connecting element in the area of ​​the through-hole, in the area of ​​the through-hole. This chamfer runs against the clamping ring, compressing it. Thus, when the connecting element is slid onto the mandrel, this chamfer compresses the clamping ring slightly, allowing it to be inserted into the through-hole, where, due to the compression, it expands radially.

[0019] Furthermore, it is conceivable to arrange at least one damping ring on the mandrel to dampen the sliding movement. This damping ring, a simple rubber ring, serves as a slightly damping stop when the connecting element moves into its final position, in which it is positively engaged with the retaining section of the bearing element.

[0020] As explained above, the first alternative of the invention is a simple snap-on solution that allows for both fastening and loosening without the use of tools. A second fastening variant, which requires a tool for both assembly and loosening, features a threaded bore formed on the mandrel, with the connecting element being fixed by means of a fastening screw screwed into the threaded bore. Here, the connecting element is thus firmly positioned on the mandrel using a fastening screw, for which a corresponding tool is required. Assembly, and especially removal, is more complicated because a tool is required, which in particular prevents unintentional, unauthorized loosening.

[0021] The threaded hole can be designed as an axial hole. This axial hole is machined into the exposed end face of the mandrel within the through-hole, allowing the fastening screw to be inserted from above into the through-hole after the fastener is slid on and screwed axially into the mandrel. Alternatively, a radial hole is also possible, accessible from the side via a radial bore on the fastener that leads into the through-hole. Here, too, the fastening screw can be easily screwed in, this time from the side.

[0022] It is preferred, regardless of whether an axial bore or a radial bore is provided, that a recess or indentation is formed on the connecting element to receive a head of the fastening screw, so that the fastening screw can be countersunk as far as possible and, if possible, does not protrude laterally.

[0023] In the embodiments described above, a pin is always used as the elongated fastening element, either as a pin attached directly to the sanitary ceramic or as a pin arranged eccentrically to the actual fastening screw. Both embodiments allow for release by pulling the seat, cover, or fitting upwards, either without or with loosening a fastening screw. However, the hinge arrangement according to the invention also allows for an embodiment in which such removal is not possible, but rather a very cumbersome arrangement for release is provided. In this embodiment of the invention, the elongated fastening element is a threaded rod with a head that rests on the connecting element.Here, the threaded rod is first inserted from above through the threaded bore of the connecting element and the bearing element, and then its lower end is inserted through the bore in the sanitary fixture. It is then tightened from below the sanitary fixture, or rather the mounting surface, with a nut or similar fastener. The head of this threaded rod rests on the connecting element, which in turn is supported by the bearing element against the sanitary fixture. Loosening is only possible by using a tool to access the mounting surface and loosen the threaded rod nut. This is very difficult and, if the sanitary fixture is screwed to the wall, may only be possible after removing the sanitary fixture from the wall due to the concealed location of the threaded rod nut.

[0024] This means that the system according to the invention offers two different basic fastening methods: a simple push-on version that allows for upward removal, and a through-bolt version that is very difficult to remove and can also be considered a theft deterrent. This results from the design of a corresponding through-hole in the connecting element, which allows the insertion of the mandrel from below and the insertion of the threaded rod from above.

[0025] In the design with a threaded rod, a recess or indentation is advantageously formed on the connecting element to receive the head, meaning that the head is positioned somewhat recessed relative to the outer contour, in particular to the contour of the section that is positively engaged with the retaining section. Preferably, the head is designed with a rounded upper surface, which allows it to adapt to the preferably cylindrical basic shape of the connecting element, and the head is virtually flush with the cylindrical basic shape of the connecting element.

[0026] Furthermore, it is conceivable to provide a cover cap that can be slid onto the connecting element. This cover cap, which is essentially sleeve-like and has an inner shape that corresponds to the outer shape of the connecting element, i.e., preferably a hollow cylinder, is simply slid onto the connecting element from the side. The cover cap has a slot so that it laterally encompasses the bearing element. This design allows for an aesthetically pleasing encapsulation of the actual connection area, so that neither the through-hole and thus the mandrel face, possibly with a screwed-in fastening screw, nor the head of the threaded rod are exposed or visible. Preferably, the design is chosen such that the outer diameter of the cover cap corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical damping element, so that after sliding on the cover cap, a continuous cylindrical body is formed.

[0027] The connecting element itself, as well as the bearing element and, if applicable, the bearing washer, retaining washer, and cover plate, can be made of plastic. The plastic design, particularly with regard to the connecting element and thus also the damping element (if both are manufactured as a single piece), as well as the plastic bearing element, allows for simple manufacturing of the corresponding components and also offers easy variations in shape and color. The bearing washer, retaining washer, and cover plate can also be made of plastic, but they can also be made of metal, like the fastening element. The bearing washer itself, which is preferably made of metal, can also be slightly convex to ensure a permanent fastening or axial clamping resulting from the material stress of the washer when clamped in the assembly position.

[0028] In addition to the hinge arrangement itself, the invention further relates to a sanitary fitting comprising a ceramic sanitary object and a seat, a lid, or a seat-lid assembly, which is mounted on the sanitary object by one or two hinge arrangements of the type described above. The sanitary object can be a toilet, which is mounted on the floor or on the wall. In this case, a seat-lid assembly is advantageously used in conjunction with two hinge arrangements according to the invention with damping elements, since both the pivoting movement of the seat and the lid into the lowered position is to be dampened. If the sanitary object is a urinal, only one lid is provided, which can be mounted with damping via only one hinge arrangement according to the invention.On the other side of the cover, a simple bearing pin can be provided, which, together with the damping device and the connecting element, forms or extends the bearing axis and is fixed to the sanitary fixture with a hinge pin. However, it is also conceivable to design the sanitary fixture as a bidet, where, for example, only a seat is arranged, which is also pivotally mounted with damping only by means of a joint arrangement.

[0029] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 an exploded view of a joint arrangement according to the invention in two different embodiments, Fig. 2 an enlarged perspective view of the damper element with associated cover cap, Fig. 3 an enlarged perspective view of the bearing element, Fig. 4 an enlarged perspective view of the fastening element in the form of a mandrel, Fig. 5 an exploded view, partially cut away, of a first embodiment of the joint arrangement according to the invention with mandrel, Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the assembly position, partially cut away, of the arrangement made of Fig. 5 Fig. 7 a partially cutaway view of a second non-inventive embodiment of the joint arrangement of the first embodiment with a mandrel, partially assembled, Fig. 8 an enlarged schematic view of a fastening element in the form of a threaded rod, Fig. 9 a partially cutaway schematic view of the assembled joint arrangement of the second embodiment with the threaded rod, Fig. 10 an exploded view of a non-inventive joint arrangement of a third inventive embodiment with a mandrel eccentrically mounted on a retaining plate, Fig. 11 a top view of the retaining plate including fastening screw and mandrel. Fig. 10 , and Fig. 12 an exploded view, partially cut away, of a non-inventive joint arrangement of a fourth embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a joint arrangement 1 according to the invention, comprising a damping element 2 with an associated connecting element 3, which is formed integrally with the damping element 2. The damping element 2 has a housing 4, preferably made of plastic, to which the connecting element 3 is integrally molded.

[0031] The damping element 2 has a positive-locking geometry in the form of a flattened, projecting pin 5, which extends into the interior of the housing 4 and interacts there with a damping device, usually fluidically coupled, so that rotation of the pin 5 relative to the housing 4 is damped. The pin 5 engages in a corresponding, form-compatible positive-locking contour on a seat or a cover, which is to be attached to the top of a ceramic sanitary fixture via the hinge arrangement 1, so that a pivoting movement of the seat necessarily results in a rotation of the pin about the pivot axis formed by the damping element 2 in conjunction with the connecting element 3. The basic design of such a damping element and the arrangement of such seat, cover, or fitting bearings is known, see, for example, EP 1 199 020 A2.

[0032] In the joint arrangement according to the invention, the connecting element 3 has a through bore 6, i.e., a bore of constant diameter. A flattened or recessed area 7 is formed on the upper side of the connecting section, resulting in a flat upper surface. The underside of the connecting element has a positive locking geometry 8; it is provided with a rounded outer shape, preferably a partial cylindrical shape.

[0033] The joint assembly 1 further comprises a bearing element 9, which has a wide base 10 to which a narrower section is attached. This narrower section has a retaining section 11 on its upper side in the form of a second positive-locking geometry 12, which is also rounded and form-compatible with the first positive-locking geometry 8 of the underside of the connecting element 3. In the assembly position, which will be discussed below, the connecting element 3, with its positive-locking geometry 8, is positively locked in the second positive-locking geometry 12 of the bearing element 9, so that both are rotationally fixed against rotation about the axis running through the through-hole 6.

[0034] The bearing element 9, which in the example shown has a rectangular foot 10, but which can equally well be round or have another geometry, also has a through hole 13 which communicates with the through hole 6 in the assembly position.

[0035] Both through-holes 6, 13 serve to accommodate a common fastening element 14, with two fastening element configurations in Fig. 1 The first alternative of the invention provides a fastening element 14 in the form of a mandrel 15, which has a threaded section 16 that serves to receive a fastening nut or similar for screwing the mandrel 15 onto the sanitary fixture. Adjoining the threaded section 16 is a radially outwardly projecting collar 17, which is laterally flattened and thus has a retaining geometry 18 against which a tool such as an open-end wrench or the like can be applied to screw the mandrel 15 onto the ceramic.

[0036] The actual mandrel section 19 adjoins the collar 17 and engages in the opening 6 in the assembly position. A clamping ring 20 is received in a groove on the mandrel section 19, which, in the assembly position, provides radial clamping to the inner wall of the through-bore 6. The clamping ring 20 is advantageously a metal ring.

[0037] A damping ring 21, for example a simple rubber ring, is arranged axially spaced from it, which dampens the sliding movement when the connecting element 3 or the damping alternative 2 is pushed onto the mandrel 15.

[0038] Fig. 1 Furthermore, as described, an alternative second fastening element 14 in the form of a threaded rod 22 is shown, which enables a further fastening option, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0039] Further details regarding the components of the first embodiment of the invention, namely the damping element 2 together with the connecting element 3, the bearing element 9 and the fastening element 14 in the form of the mandrel 15, are set forth in the Fig. 2 - 4 to be taken.

[0040] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows an enlarged perspective view of the damper element 2 with the molded connecting element 3. The flattening or indentation 7, in which the through-hole 6 is formed, is clearly visible.

[0041] Also shown is a cover cap 23, which is placed on the connecting section 3 in the assembly position. It has a recess 24 to engage the bearing element 9, which is located below the connecting section 3 in the assembly position. Like the damping element 2 and the connecting section 3, the cover cap 23 is also preferably made of plastic.

[0042] The damping element 2 together with the connecting element 3 and the cover cap 23 are the same for all the design variants described below.

[0043] Fig. 3 The enlarged detail view shows the bearing element 9 with the wide, flat base 10, on which the narrower section with the end retaining section 11 rises almost centrally. The retaining section 11 is clearly designed as a rounded, recessed second form-locking geometry 12, which positively engages the rounded first form-locking geometry 8, i.e., the underside of the connecting section 3. The bearing element 2 is also preferably made of plastic, but it can also be made of metal.

[0044] Fig. 4 The enlarged illustration shows the pin 15, which is expediently a metal component, since it must on the one hand form a fixed connection to the sanitary fixture, but on the other hand must also absorb the corresponding moments in the event of pivoting. Fig. 4 The details already described above are clearly illustrated.

[0045] Fig. 5 The figure shows, in the form of an exploded view, partially cut away, the described elements before assembly. Shown are the damper element 2 with the integrally formed, cutaway connecting element 3, the cutaway bearing element 9, the cutaway mandrel 15, and an associated bearing washer 25, preferably also made of metal. For assembly, the bearing washer 25 is first pushed onto the threaded section 16 of the mandrel 15, after which the mandrel is inserted through a corresponding bore 26 in the ceramic sanitary fixture 27, which is in Fig. 6 The illustration, which shows the assembly position, is only depicted in principle. In the example shown, a nut 28 is screwed onto the threaded section 16 from below, whereby the mandrel 15 is firmly fixed after resting on the opposite side with its collar 17 on the bearing washer 25 and being counter-supported. The bearing washer 25 is preferably made of metal and slightly convex, so that it is slightly deformed when the screw connection is tightened, thereby generating an axial counter-tension that secures the screw connection.

[0046] The bearing element 9 is then slid onto the bearing element, its base being dimensioned to engage the bearing disc 25. As described, the bearing element 9 serves to receive the damper element 2 or the connecting element 3, which is then slid onto the mandrel 15 or the mandrel section 19 with the through-hole 6, which still protrudes axially from the through-hole 13 of the bearing element 9. Fig. 5 As shown in the sectional view, a chamfer 29 is formed on the underside of the connecting element 3, i.e., in the area of ​​the first positive-locking contour 8, at the entrance to the through-hole 6. When the connecting element is pushed onto the mandrel section 19, this chamfer 29 runs against the radially projecting clamping ring 20. This causes the clamping ring 20 to be compressed due to the conical chamfer shape. As it is pushed further, it bears against the inner wall 30 of the through-hole 6 with pressure, thus enabling clamping and fixation.

[0047] Upon reaching the end position, the chamfer 29 runs against the damping ring 21, so that a damped engagement of the two positive locking geometries 8 and 12 takes place against each other.

[0048] Fig. 6 The figure shows the assembly position, from which it can be seen that the mandrel 15 is completely enclosed and the outer part of the joint arrangement in the area below the damping device 2 is formed by the bearing element 9.

[0049] In this position, the damping element 2 can pivot about the axis of the mandrel 15; only the clamping of the clamping ring 20 offers slight resistance to the pivoting. This allows for easy alignment of the connecting element 2 relative to the seat or cover. However, the bearing element 9 also pivots about the mandrel axis along with the connecting element 2, resulting from the positive-locking connection of the positive-locking geometries 8 and 12.

[0050] In the invention, the connecting element 3 is fixed to the mandrel 15 by means of a clamping mechanism using the clamping ring 20. This arrangement can be easily released again, meaning that the damping device 2 can be easily pulled off the mandrel 15. Only the resistance of the clamping mechanism via the clamping ring 20 needs to be overcome.

[0051] To achieve a more secure fixation, a design like the one in Fig. 7 shown to be conceivable. Fig. 7 Figure 1 again shows a partially cutaway, partially assembled joint arrangement 1, which is identical in this respect to the embodiment described above, i.e., in addition to the damper element 2 and connecting element 3, it also has a bearing element 9 of the type described above and a mandrel 15. Unlike the previous embodiment, an internal threaded bore 32 is formed in the end face 31 of the mandrel 15, into which a fastening screw 33 is screwed, the screw head 34 of which rests on the flat or recess 7 in the assembly position. The connecting element 3 is thereby clamped firmly against the bearing element 9, which is supported on the sanitary fixture. The length of the fastening screw 33 is dimensioned such that the cover cap 23 can still be slid over it.

[0052] With this design, the connection can only be released using a tool.

[0053] In principle, it would be conceivable to participate in the project in Fig. 4 The mandrel 15 shown should also have an internal threaded bore 32 on its upper side, as well as a clamping ring 20 or at least a groove and a damper ring 21 or at least a groove on the mandrel 15. This makes it possible to decide on site with one and the same mandrel 15 whether the components shown in the Fig. 5 and 6 shown mounting variant or the one in Fig. 7 The mounting variant shown is implemented.

[0054] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows, in the form of an enlarged perspective view, the second embodiment of the connecting element 14 in the form of the threaded rod 22. This rod has an elongated threaded section 35 that terminates in a head 36, which in the example shown has a rounded upper surface 37. The assembly sequence differs in this embodiment from the variant described above.

[0055] Here, first the connecting element 3 is shown. Fig. 9 The screw head 36 is pushed onto the threaded section 35 until it rests flush on the flat or recess 7. The bearing element 9, which in the example shown is made of solid material and is therefore not sleeve-shaped as depicted in the preceding figures, is then pushed onto the bearing element. If necessary, a bearing washer, preferably metallic and optionally slightly convex, can also be slid onto the bearing element 9. In the assembled position, this washer would then support the bearing element 9 on the ceramic. If no bearing washer is used, the bearing element 9 is supported directly on the ceramic, as shown in the figure. Fig. 9 This prefabricated assembly is then placed onto the sanitary fixture 27 such that the threaded section 35 extends through the bore 26. A nut 38 is then screwed onto the threaded section 35 from below the mounting surface on the sanitary fixture 27, thereby axially clamping the assembly. Prior to this clamping, the damper element 2 and the bearing element 9 retain their joint pivoting capability, as the first positive-locking geometry 8 of the connecting element 3 engages positively with the second positive-locking geometry 12 of the bearing element 9.

[0056] Although Fig. 9 Here, a bearing element 9 designed as a more stable solid material part could be a bearing element as described with regard to the first embodiment and in Fig. 5 The cross-section shows the use of identical components. This means that identical components can be used for the damping element 2, the connecting element 3, and the bearing element 9, which is of course preferable as it minimizes the number of different components required to form the overall system.

[0057] Fig. 10 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a joint arrangement 1 not according to the invention. Here, too, an identically designed damper element 2 with an identically designed connecting element 3 is used. Furthermore, a bearing element 9 is also provided here, but in this case it is designed in the shape of a sleeve, i.e., it has no foot. However, it also has a through-hole 13 and a retaining section 11 in the form of a second positive-locking geometry 12, which interacts positively with the first positive-locking geometry 8 of the connecting element 3 in the same manner as described above.

[0058] Furthermore, a fastening element 14 in the form of a pin 15 is also provided here, the design of which is essentially the same as in Fig. 4 The mandrel 15 shown corresponds to the other, except that no threaded section 16 is provided; instead, the mandrel 15 ends with the collar 17. An internal threaded bore is provided on the underside of the collar 17, into which, in the example shown, a fastening screw 40 is screwed to fasten the mandrel 15 to a retaining washer 39.

[0059] In the installed position, the retaining washer 39 rests against the top 41 of the sanitary fixture 27. To fix it, a fastening screw 43 is inserted into a through-hole 42, which passes through the bore 26 of the sanitary fixture 27 and is secured on the underside with a nut (not shown).

[0060] A top view of the retaining disc 39 shows Fig. 11 The illustration shows, on the one hand, the fastening screw 43, and on the other hand, the mandrel 15. This design allows for double rotation and thus extended alignment of the damper element 2. Firstly, the retaining washer 39 can be rotated about the axis of the fastening screw 43, as indicated by arrow P1. The eccentric mandrel 15 can therefore be pivoted about this axis.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown by the double arrow P2, the connecting element 2 together with the bearing element 9 can be pivoted about the axis of the mandrel 15, as in all embodiments. This makes it possible to easily adapt to even larger tolerances.

[0062] During assembly, the mandrel 15 is first attached to the retaining plate 39. Then, the fastening screw 43 is inserted and pushed through the bore 26 and lightly secured with a nut. Next, the bearing element 9 is slid onto the plate, followed by the connecting element 3. This is then clamped in place by the clamping ring 20, while the damping ring 21 provides a damped stop for the positive-locking geometries 8 and 12 against each other. Simple removal is easily possible. After aligning the assembly, the fastening screw 43 is tightened to fix the position of the retaining washer 39.

[0063] However, the design according to Fig. 12 , which are almost identical in design according to Fig. 10 This corresponds to the above. Only the mandrel 15 is designed slightly differently here, as it has an internal thread 32, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 7The fastening screw 33 is screwed into this internal thread 32, its screw head 34 resting on or being countersunk in the flat or recess 7. Therefore, a tool is required to unscrew the screw 33 in order to loosen the connection.

[0064] All versions share the common feature of using an identical damper element 2 and connecting element 3, which has a through-hole. This through-hole allows for the creation of different fastening options, resulting in a modular joint system.

[0065] While the configurations in which the connecting element 3 is fixed to the mandrel 15 via the clamping ring 20 are very easy to loosen, the configurations in which the connecting element 3 is screwed to the mandrel 15 via the fastening screw 33 can only be loosened with a tool. In contrast, the configuration with the threaded rod 22 is even more difficult to loosen, since its rounded head 36 cannot be gripped with a tool and therefore the attachment of the joint assembly to the sanitary fixture 27 is only possible by loosening the nut 38 from below the ceramic.

Claims

1. Joint arrangement for pivotable mounting of a lid, a seat or a seat / lid fitting about a pivot axis on a ceramic sanitary article, comprising an elongate fastening element (14) which is to be arranged on the sanitary article (27), a bearing element (9) having a passage bore (13) which is to be passed through by the fastening element (14), and a damper element (2), damping the pivoting movement, with a connecting element (3) which likewise has a passage bore (6), into which the fastening element (14) engages or through which it passes, and which, in the mounting position, is seated on the bearing element (9), wherein the bearing element (9) has a holding portion (11) which receives the connecting element (3) in a form-fitting manner, wherein the fastening element (14) is a pin (15) which, in the region which, in the mounting position, engages into the passage bore (6) provided on the connecting element (3), has at least one clamping ring (20) for clamping the connecting element (3), wherein the passage bore (6) of the connecting element (3) is configured for receiving both the fastening element (14) in the form of a pin, with clamping fastening, and a fastening element (14) in the form of a threaded rod.

2. Joint arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (3) has a rounded outer shape at least in the portion (8) abutting against the bearing element (9), and the holding portion (11) is formed so as to be rounded in a manner compatible in terms of shape.

3. Joint arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the portion (8) and the holding portion (11) have the shape of a partial cylinder.

4. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing element (9) is designed in the manner of a cap with a wide base (10) and with an adjoining narrower portion which has the holding portion (11), or in that the bearing element (9) is of sleeve-like form and has the holding portion (11) at one end.

5. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (15) is provided at least sectionally with a thread (16) for receiving a counter-bearing element, in particular a nut (28), which fixes said pin to the sanitary article (27).

6. Joint arrangement according to Claim 5, characterized in that the pin (15) has a collar (17) via which, in the mounting position, the pin (15) having the thread is supported on a bearing washer (25) which abuts on the sanitary object (27).

7. Joint arrangement according to Claim 6, characterized in that the collar (17) has a holding geometry (18) for engagement by a tool.

8. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on the connecting element (3), provision is made of a bevel (29) in the region of the passage bore (6) on the side which is the leading side when said connecting element is pushed onto the pin (15), which bevel runs onto the clamping ring (20) so as to compress the latter.

9. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one damping ring (21) which damps the pushing-on movement is arranged on the pin (15).

10. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a depression (7) or recess for receiving a head (36) of the threaded rod (14) is formed on the connecting element (3).

11. Joint arrangement according to Claim 10, characterized in that the head (36) has a rounded top side (37).

12. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a covering cap (23) to be pushed onto the connecting element (3).

13. Joint arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (3), the bearing element (9) and possibly the bearing washer (25) and the covering cap (23) are composed of plastic.

14. Sanitary device comprising a ceramic sanitary article and a seat, a lid or a seat / lid fitting that is mounted on the sanitary article (27) by way of one or two joint arrangements (1) according to one of the preceding claims.