ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION DEVICE

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension device for the height-adjustable mounting of sanitary elements, in particular mirrors, on a building wall according to claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] From DE 70 27172.6, a fastening fitting for furniture is known, comprising a holding part in the form of a bolt to be attached to a wall, a plate-shaped head piece connected to the bolt and arranged eccentrically to the bolt, and a corner element to be attached to the piece of furniture. The corner element and the head piece are arranged such that the head piece engages behind the corner element. By rotating the head piece, which is mounted on the bolt, the height of the furniture relative to the bolt fixed in the wall can be adjusted.

[0003] One disadvantage of this arrangement is that a corner element must be attached to the piece of furniture to be hung. With wooden furniture, this is easily accomplished, as proposed in DE 70 27172.6, by drilling a hole and inserting a corresponding tenon. Sanitary fixtures, such as mirrors, are generally made of materials where attaching such a corner element is considerably more complex.

[0004] Documents DE 10 2014 210314 and DE 20 2008 005392 U1 reveal further fastening elements. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Based on this prior art, the invention aims to provide a suspension device that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the suspension device should allow installation independent of building-related conditions.

[0006] This problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Accordingly, a suspension device for sanitary fixtures, in particular mirrors or mirrored cabinets, comprises a bearing element, wherein the bearing element has a bearing opening for receiving a screw and wherein the bearing element is rotatable about said axis of rotation. The central axis of the bearing opening defines an axis of rotation. The bearing element has a mounting surface which, when mounted on a building wall, faces that building wall. The bearing element also has a plurality of support surfaces extending perpendicular to the mounting surface, wherein the support surfaces are located at different radial distances from the axis of rotation, such that the vertical position of a sanitary fixture on the building wall can be changed by selecting the support surface on which the sanitary fixture rests.Each support surface is adjoined by a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall in the direction of the axis of rotation, with both walls projecting radially from the support surface to the axis of rotation, so that the support surface and the two walls provide a receiving space for receiving a suspension section of the sanitary element.

[0007] This creates a defined support space for the sanitary fixture to be suspended. This support space is defined solely by the support element. This allows the support element to provide a mounting solution that is independent of the building's existing conditions.

[0008] The presence of the two walls offers the further advantage that the sanitary fixture is protected from tilting both towards and away from the building wall. Thus, a suspension device corresponding to the present invention allows installation on building walls that have unevenness or recesses. Such recesses and unevenness are particularly common in building walls in sanitary areas, for example, where tiled wall sections transition into untiled wall sections.

[0009] Preferably, the walls extend substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface. However, the walls can also be inclined at a different angle to the bearing surface or have wall sections that are inclined at other angles to the bearing surface. The two walls can project radially outwards to different distances; preferably, the wall located on the side of the suspension device facing away from the building wall extends radially further outwards than the wall facing the building wall.

[0010] The suspension device can have an even or an odd number of support surfaces. With an even number of support surfaces, those arranged opposite each other with respect to the central axis are preferably parallel to one another.

[0011] Furthermore, the suspension device includes an inner element stored in the bearing opening.

[0012] The inner element has a through-opening through which the screw protrudes. The screw is supported in the bearing element via indirect contact with the inner element.

[0013] Furthermore, the inner element has a circular cylindrical section, the circular cylindrical section being arranged such that its central axis coincides with the aforementioned axis of rotation, and the aforementioned bearing opening for a screw extending along the aforementioned central axis of the circular cylindrical section. The circular cylindrical section of the inner element is precisely fitted into the bearing element, such that the bearing element is rotatable about the circular cylindrical section.

[0014] The inner element preferably has a second circular cylindrical section, wherein the second circular cylindrical section is concentric to the first circular cylindrical section and has a smaller radius than the first circular cylindrical section, and wherein the second circular cylindrical section of the inner element fits precisely into the bearing element. The second circular cylindrical section can be arranged with one end face substantially flush with the mounting surface, such that when mounted on a building wall, the bearing element is clamped against the building wall or against a spacer placed between the building wall and the mounting surface when the screw is tightened, preventing rotation. This design prevents accidental rotation of the suspension device, which is advantageous during the installation of the sanitary fixture.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the second circular cylindrical section can be positioned with one end face spaced away from the mounting surface, such that when mounted on a building wall, the bearing element is positioned at a distance from the building wall or from a spacer placed between the building wall and the mounting surface. This allows the bearing element to rotate freely even when the screw is tightened, enabling quick and easy adjustment of the sanitary fixture's vertical position without having to unscrew and re-tighten the screw.

[0016] Between the two circular cylindrical sections there is an annular bearing surface, wherein this annular bearing surface preferably rests against a complementary bearing surface in the bearing opening of the bearing element when the screw is tightened.

[0017] The first wall and the second wall can each be formed by a plurality of wall sections, with a space between each wall section.

[0018] Preferably, a wall section of one wall is always opposite a gap in the other wall.

[0019] In other words, preferably a wall section of the first wall is always opposite a gap in the second wall, and a wall section of the second wall is always opposite a gap in the first wall.

[0020] Furthermore, preferably viewed in a projection plane parallel to the mounting surface, the wall section of one wall is geometrically essentially identical to the opposite gap of the other wall. In particular, the wall section is positioned with respect to the gap such that it lies within the clear width of the gap, viewed along the central axis.

[0021] The fact that the wall section of one wall is geometrically essentially identical to the opposite gap of the other wall means, in the context of the present invention, that the bearing element can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively using injection molding: Two opposing and interlocking molds arranged parallel to the mounting surface can be used for production, with neither mold engaging behind the injection molding material. This allows the two molds to be easily separated from each other along the axis of rotation after the injection molding material has hardened.

[0022] The wall sections can have different shapes; in particular, the wall sections can have outlines with a different number of corners.

[0023] The bearing element preferably consists of plastic, in particular polypropylene or polypropylene from regranulate. The inner element preferably consists of plastic, in particular glass fiber reinforced polyamides.

[0024] Preferably, an outer ring is attached radially to the axis to the wall sections of one wall, particularly the second wall, so that the wall sections are connected to each other via the outer ring. The outer ring gives the second wall increased mechanical stability, which makes it particularly good at absorbing the forces during the mounting of the sanitary element.

[0025] The term "outer ring" can refer to a geometric ring. However, the term "outer ring" can also be understood to mean that the structure is ring-like, in which case the radial, free ends of two adjacent wall sections are connected.

[0026] The outer ring radially defines the spaces between the wall sections in such a way that the space defined by the outer ring is geometrically essentially identical to the opposite wall section of the other wall. This makes the simple manufacturing process described above, using injection molding, also possible for versions that include this outer ring.

[0027] The first wall is preferably located on the side facing the mounting surface. Particularly in designs where the second wall features the aforementioned outer ring, this offers the advantage that the outer ring can better prevent the suspended sanitary fixture from tilting away from the building wall.

[0028] The outer ring preferably has flat areas on its exterior. Each flat area is assigned to the nearest bearing surface in the radial direction and runs parallel to that surface. This allows an installer to place a spirit level on the flat area and align the bearing element so that the bearing surface is horizontal.

[0029] Furthermore, both the first wall and the second wall preferably have upper edges which are beveled at an angle α and β respectively towards the receiving space, such that the beveled upper edges form a guide for easy installation of the sanitary element.

[0030] In preferred embodiments, in which the second wall has said outer ring, this outer ring is also preferably chamfered in the direction of the receiving space at said angle β, such that the chamfered upper edges of the wall sections of the second wall seamlessly transition into the chamfered outer ring.

[0031] The wall sections of the first and / or second wall may also have ribs and / or recesses. Preferably, at least one rib is present on each contact surface; in particular, two ribs may be present, formed by a recess in the wall. The ribs are especially preferably arranged on the side of the wall facing the receiving space and thus the sanitary element. These ribs increase the stability of the wall.

[0032] Preferably, the bearing element has at least one operating handle, wherein the at least one operating handle is located on a front surface of the bearing element opposite the mounting surface. The at least one operating handle can protrude from said front surface and / or be formed by material recesses in said front surface. The operating handle can be gripped by an installer for adjusting the position of the bearing element.

[0033] Ideally, the bearing element has two operating handles, with the two operating handles positioned radially opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation. This offers the advantage that the bearing element can be conveniently rotated by hand during assembly.

[0034] An arrangement comprises at least one suspension device as described above and a sanitary element, wherein the sanitary element has at least one suspension section which engages in the receiving space of at least one suspension device.

[0035] Preferably, the sanitary element has at least one opening with at least one straight edge, said at least one straight edge being part of the suspension section.

[0036] Preferably, at least one opening has a clear diameter larger than the diameter of the suspension device. This offers the advantage that, in a first step of the installation, the suspension device can be attached to the building wall, and then, in a second step, the sanitary fixture can be lifted over the side of the suspension device facing away from the building wall and hung in the receiving space.

[0037] Preferably, the arrangement comprises exactly two suspension devices, wherein the suspension devices are arranged horizontally next to each other, and wherein the sanitary element has exactly two openings, each of which engages in exactly one suspension device. This arrangement offers the advantage that the sanitary element can be precisely aligned horizontally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted restrictively. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a suspension device according to a preferred embodiment with a view of the mounting surface; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a suspension device according to Figure 1 with a view of the front surface; Fig. 2 leg perspective view of a suspension device according to Figure 1with a view of the front surface without the inner element; Fig. 3 a side view of a suspension device according to Figure 1 ; Fig. 4a a sectional view of a suspension device according to Figure 1 along the axis of rotation; Fig. 4 leg enlarged view of an upper section of the Figure 4a Fig. 5 shows a view of the suspension device. Figure 1 with a view of the front surface; Fig. 6 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an arrangement which includes two suspension devices according to Figure 1 and includes a sanitary element; and Fig. 7 a sectional view of the arrangement according to Figure 6 along the axis of rotation of one suspension device. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0039] In the Figures 1 to 5 A preferred embodiment of a suspension device 1 is shown. In the Figures 6 and 7A preferred arrangement is shown, comprising two suspension devices and a sanitary element 5. The sanitary element is shown here as a mirror. However, other sanitary elements, such as mirrored cabinets, can also be attached to the suspension device.

[0040] The suspension device 1 includes a bearing element 2. As shown in the Figures 1 and 2a As can be seen in Figure 2, the bearing element 2 has a bearing opening 3 defining an axis of rotation A for receiving a screw S. The bearing element 2 is rotatable about said axis of rotation A. The bearing element 2 has a mounting surface MF which, when mounted on a building wall G, faces this building wall G. This is shown in the preferred arrangement in the Figures 6 and 7 depicted.

[0041] The bearing element 2 has a plurality of support surfaces 4 extending perpendicular to the mounting surface MF. The support surfaces 4 are located at different radial distances from the axis of rotation A, such that the vertical position of a sanitary element 5 on the building wall G can be changed by selecting the support surface 4 on which the sanitary element 5 rests. The installer can rotate the bearing element about the axis of rotation A and select the appropriate support surface 4.

[0042] Each support surface 4 is adjoined by a first wall 6 and a second wall 7, which is spaced apart from the first wall 6 in the direction of the axis of rotation A. Both walls 6 and 7 project radially from the support surface 4 towards the axis of rotation A. In this way, the support surface 4 and the two walls 6 and 7 provide a receiving space 8 for receiving a suspension section 20 of the sanitary element 5. As in Figure 3As can be seen, the walls 6 and 7 preferably extend substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface 4.

[0043] The in the Figures 1 to 7 The illustrated preferred embodiment of the suspension device 1 has twelve support surfaces 4. A different odd or even number of support surfaces 4 is possible.

[0044] This embodiment of the suspension device 1 further comprises an inner element 9 mounted in the bearing opening 3, wherein the screw S is mounted in the bearing opening 3 via the inner element 9. The inner element 9 has a through-opening 10 through which the screw S projects. The inner element 9 also has a circular cylindrical section 11, wherein the circular cylindrical section 11 is arranged such that its central axis coincides with the said axis of rotation A and wherein the said bearing opening 3 for a screw S extends along the said central axis of the circular cylindrical section 11. The circular cylindrical section 11 of the inner element 9 is fitted precisely into the bearing element 2, such that the bearing element 2 is rotatable about the circular cylindrical section 11.

[0045] As in Fig. 4aAs shown, in a preferred embodiment, the inner element has a second circular cylindrical section 12, wherein the second circular cylindrical section 12 is concentric to the first circular cylindrical section 11 and has a smaller radius than the first circular cylindrical section 11, wherein the second circular cylindrical section 12 of the inner element 9 fits precisely into the bearing element 2. The second circular cylindrical section 12 is arranged with an end face 13 substantially flush with the mounting surface MF, such that when mounted on a building wall G, the bearing element 2 is rotationally fixed against the building wall G when the screw S is tightened, or as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 shown, clamped against a spacer element D placed between the building wall and the mounting surface.

[0046] Between the first circular cylindrical section 11 and the second circular cylindrical section 12, an annular bearing surface 23 is provided, wherein this annular bearing surface 23 rests against a complementary bearing surface 24 in the bearing opening 3 of the bearing element 2 when the screw is tightened.

[0047] In the preferred embodiment of the suspension device 1 shown here, the first wall 6 and the second wall 7 are each formed by a plurality of wall sections 14, wherein a wall section 14 of the first wall 6 is always opposite a space 15 of the second wall 7 and a wall section 14 of the second wall 7 is always opposite a space 15 of the first wall 6.

[0048] Viewed in a projection plane parallel to the mounting surface, as in Fig. 5As shown, the wall section of one wall is geometrically essentially identical to the opposite gap of the other wall. An outer ring 16 adjoins the wall sections 14 of the second wall 7 radially to the axis, so that the wall sections 14 are connected to each other via the outer ring 16.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment shown here, the outer ring 16 has surface areas 25 on its outer side. Each surface area 25 is assigned to the nearest bearing surface 4 in the radial direction and runs parallel to the assigned bearing surface 4.

[0050] As in the Figures 6 and 7 As can be seen, the first wall is located on the side of the mounting surface and the outer ring 16 is therefore on a side facing away from the wall.

[0051] Figure 4b shows an enlarged view of the upper part of the Figure 4aThe first wall 6 has an upper edge 17 which is chamfered at an angle α towards the receiving space 8, while the second wall 7 has an upper edge 18 which is chamfered at an angle β towards the receiving space 8. The angles α and β can be the same or different. The chamfered upper edges 17 and 18 provide a guide during the installation of the sanitary element.

[0052] Again Figure 4b In addition, the outer ring 16 is beveled in the direction of the receiving space at the aforementioned angle β, such that the beveled upper edges 18 of the wall sections 14 of the second wall 7 seamlessly transition into the beveled outer ring.

[0053] As in Figure 1As can be seen, the wall sections 14 of the second wall 7 each have a recess 26 extending radially from the bearing surface 4 in their center, which is located on a side of the wall 7 facing the receiving space 8. The areas of the wall sections 14 of the second wall 7 flanking the recess 26 are thus rib-shaped, which increases the stability of the wall.

[0054] As in Figure 2 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the bearing element 2 has two actuating handles 19, wherein the two actuating handles 19 are radially opposite each other with respect to the axis of rotation and wherein both actuating handles 19 are located on a front surface VF of the bearing element 2 opposite the mounting surface MF. In the preferred embodiment shown here, the actuating handles 19 project from said front surface VF and are simultaneously formed by material recesses in said front surface VF.

[0055] Furthermore, the front surface VF preferably has markings 28 which provide information about whether a support surface 4 is radially closer to or further away from the axis of rotation A than an arbitrarily determined support surface 4 serving as a reference, which is marked with "0".

[0056] The Figures 6 and 7 Figure 1 shows a preferred arrangement comprising two suspension devices 1 as described above and a sanitary element 5, wherein the suspension devices 1 are arranged horizontally side by side. The sanitary element 5 has two openings 21, each with a clear diameter larger than the diameter of the suspension device 1. Both openings 21 have straight edges 22. In this preferred embodiment, these straight edges 22 form the suspension sections 20. As shown in Figure 1, the suspension devices 1 are arranged horizontally side by side. Fig. 6As shown, in this preferred arrangement, each opening 21 engages precisely in a suspension device 1. In the arrangement shown here, the building wall G has a step 27. Such a step 27 can, for example, be created by a transition between a tiled section of the building wall G and a section of the building wall G without tiles. The length LD of the spacer element D is chosen such that it corresponds to the depth t A of the step 27. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0057] 1 Suspension device 19 Operating handle 2 bearing element 20 Suspension section 3 Warehouse opening 21 breakthrough 4 Contact surfaces 22 straight edge 5 Sanitary element 23 Storage area 6 first wall 24 Storage area 7 second wall 25 Area 8 Recording room 26 recess 9 Interior element 27 Paragraph 10 Passage opening 28 Labels 11 circular cylindrical section 12 second circular cylindrical section A axis of rotation 13 Front S screw 14 Wall section MF Mounting surface 15 space VF front surface 16 outer ring G building wall 17 top edge of the first D Spacer wall α angle 18 Top edge of the second wall β angle

Claims

1. Hanging device (1) for sanitary elements, in particular mirrors or mirror cabinets, wherein the hanging device (1) comprises a bearing element (2), wherein the bearing element (2) has a bearing opening (3), which defines a rotation axis (A), for receiving a screw (S), wherein the bearing element (2) is rotatable about said rotation axis (A), wherein the bearing element (2) has an assembly face (MF) which when mounted on a building wall (G) faces this building wall (G), wherein the bearing element (2) has a plurality of contact faces (4) which extend orthogonally to the assembly face (F), and wherein the contact faces (4) lie at different radial spacings from the rotation axis (A) such that the vertical position of a sanitary element (5) on the building wall (G) can be adjusted by selecting the contact face (4) on which the sanitary element (5) rests, wherein each contact face (4) is adjoined by a first wall (6) and by a second wall (7) which is arranged spaced apart from the first wall (6) in the direction of the rotation axis (A), wherein both walls (6, 7) project radially from the contact face (4) in terms of the rotation axis (A) in such a way that a receptacle space (8) for receiving a hanging portion (20) of the sanitary element (5) is provided by the contact face (4) and the two walls (6, 7), characterized in that the hanging device (1) further comprises an inner element (9) which is mounted in the bearing opening (3), and in that the inner element (9) has a passage opening (10) through which the screw (S) protrudes in such a manner that the screw (S) is mounted in the bearing opening (9) by way of the inner element (9), and in that the inner element (9) has a circular-cylindrical portion (11), wherein the circular-cylindrical portion (11) is arranged such that its central axis coincides with said rotation axis (A), wherein said bearing opening (3) for a screw (S) extends along said central axis of the circular-cylindrical portion (11), and wherein the circular-cylindrical portion (11) of the inner element (9) is inserted into the bearing element (2) with an exact fit in such a manner that the bearing element (2) is rotatable about the circular-cylindrical portion (11).

2. Hanging device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the inner element (9) has a second circular-cylindrical portion (12), wherein the second circular-cylindrical portion (12) is concentric with the first circular-cylindrical portion (11) and has a smaller radius than the first circular-cylindrical portion (11), wherein the second circular-cylindrical portion (12) of the inner element (9) is inserted into the bearing element (2) with an exact fit, wherein the second circular-cylindrical portion (12) by way of an end side (13) is arranged substantially flush with the adjacent area of the assembly face (MF) in such a manner that when mounted on a building wall (G), with the screw (S) tightened, the bearing element (2) is clamped in a rotationally fixed manner against the building wall (G) or against a spacer element (D) placed between the building wall and the assembly face, or wherein the second circular-cylindrical portion (12) by way of an end side (13) lies so as to be spaced apart from the assembly face (F) in such a manner that when assembled on a building wall (G) the bearing element (2) is at a spacing from the building wall (G).

3. Hanging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first wall (6) and the second wall (7) are in each case formed by a plurality of wall portions (14), wherein there is in each case an intermediate space (15) between two wall portions (14), and wherein opposite a wall portion (14) of the one wall there is preferably always an intermediate space (15) of the other wall.

4. Hanging device (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that, when viewed in a projection plane parallel to the assembly face (MF), the wall portion (14) of the one wall in geometric terms is substantially congruent with the opposite intermediate space (15) of the other wall.

5. Hanging device (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the wall portions (14) of the one wall, in particular of the second wall, in terms of the axis are radially adjoined by an outer ring (16) in such a way that the wall portions (14) are connected to one another by way of the outer ring (16).

6. Hanging device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the outer ring (16) has area regions (25), wherein each area region (25), when viewed in the radial direction, is assigned the respective nearest contact face (4) and extends parallel to the assigned contact face (4).

7. Hanging device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the first wall (6) is located on the side of the assembly face (MF).

8. Hanging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first wall has an upper edge (17) which in the direction of the receptacle space (8) is bevelled at an angle (α), and in that the second wall has an upper edge (18) which in the direction of the receptacle space (8) is bevelled at an angle (β) in such a manner that the bevelled upper edges (17, 18) form a guide for the sanitary element (5) to be received.

9. Hanging device (1) according to Claim 5 in combination with Claim 8, wherein the outer ring in the direction of the receptacle space (9) is bevelled at said angle in such a manner that the bevelled upper edges (17) of the wall portions of the second wall (7) transition seamlessly into the bevelled outer ring (8).

10. Hanging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing element (2) has at least one activation handle (19), wherein the at least one activation handle (19) is located on a front face (VF) of the bearing element (2) that lies opposite the assembly face (MF), wherein the at least one activation handle (19) protrudes from said front face (VF), and / or wherein the at least one activation handle (19) is formed by material recesses in said front face (VF).

11. Hanging device (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the bearing element (2) has two activation handles (19), wherein the two activation handles (19) lie radially opposite one another in terms of the rotation axis (A).

12. Arrangement comprising at least one hanging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and a sanitary element (5), wherein the sanitary element (5) has at least one hanging portion (20) which engages in the receptacle space of at least one hanging device (1).

13. Arrangement according to Claim 12, wherein the sanitary element (5) has at least one cut-out (21) with at least one straight edge (22), wherein said at least one straight edge (22) is part of the hanging portion (20).

14. Arrangement according to Claim 13, wherein the at least one cut-out (21) has an available diameter which is larger than the diameter of the hanging device (1).

15. Arrangement according to Claim 14, wherein the arrangement comprises exactly two hanging devices (1), wherein the hanging devices (1) are arranged horizontally next to one another, wherein the sanitary element (5) has exactly two cut-outs (21) which engage in each case in exactly one hanging device (1).