Object assembly and method for fastening an object

Abstract

The invention relates to an object assembly comprising an object (1), in particular a sanitary object (1), which is fastened to a fastening structure (2), wherein a spacer (3) is arranged between the object (1), in particular the mounting surface (1a) thereof, and the fastening structure (2), in particular a fastening surface region, facing the mounting surface (1a), of the fastening structure (2), wherein the spacer (3) is formed from a transparent material, in particular from an uncolored transparent material. The invention also relates to a method for fastening an object (1) and to the use of a panel consisting of a transparent material, in particular consisting of an uncolored transparent material, and preferably having clearly transparent edge surface regions (3a), as a spacer (3) for the fastening of an object (1).

Description

[0001] Object arrangement and method for attaching an object

[0002] The invention relates to an object arrangement comprising an object, in particular a sanitary object, which is fastened to a fastening structure.

[0003] It is common knowledge that any type of object can be attached to mounting structures. For this purpose, the objects to be attached typically have a mounting surface. Such a mounting surface can be a single, continuous surface, but can also alternatively consist of several sub-surface areas.

[0004] In a conventional fastening according to the current state of the art, the mounting surface or its partial surface areas contact a fastening surface area of ​​the fastening structure opposite the mounting surface or the respective partial surface area, in particular directly.

[0005] Typically, the mounting surface or its sub-surfaces lie in a single plane. The same applies to the attachment surface on the mounting structure. This creates a statically stable, non-tilting arrangement.

[0006] The invention envisages a preferred application in sanitary objects, but is not limited to these.

[0007] A sanitary object is preferably understood to mean any object that can be used in the sanitary area, e.g. a toilet bowl, a washbasin or vanity unit, a bidet, a urinal, a cupboard, etc. Such sanitary objects are usually attached to a mounting structure in a standing or hanging position in order to be usable.

[0008] An object, preferably a sanitary object, is fastened to a fastening structure in particular by means of screws or threaded bolts as fastening elements which are anchored in the fastening structure and extend through receiving recesses in the object, preferably a sanitary object.

[0009] A fastening structure is preferably understood to mean a structural, constructive system or arrangement to which an object, preferably a sanitary object, can be fastened, e.g. a wall or a floor or a ceiling of a property, but other objects can also form a fastening structure to which the fastening of objects, in particular sanitary objects, can be provided.

[0010] For example, a pedestal washbasin can be attached to a base cabinet as a freestanding fixture. A fixture is therefore preferably part of a property or even a mobile object in itself.

[0011] For the intended use of a sanitary object, the fastening structure, particularly in the vicinity of its fastening surface area, preferably has the necessary sanitary connections, preferably piping for the water inlet and wastewater outlet.

[0012] According to the current state of the art, a sanitary fixture is usually attached directly to a mounting surface area of ​​the mounting structure, or at most with the interposition of a thin decoupling layer, e.g., a fleece layer for sound insulation. Even with such a decoupling layer, a sanitary fixture visually appears to be attached directly to the mounting structure because the decoupling layer has a visually negligible installation height, in particular less than 2 millimeters.

[0013] For decades, this type of direct attachment of sanitary objects to fixing structures has dominated, whereby sanitary objects and fixing structure are combined into a stable but visually massive arrangement that lacks visual elegance and lightness and in which the object is lost as an independent object.

[0014] The same problem arises with other objects outside of sanitary applications. Here, too, the required structurally sound fastening creates the problem that the object visually merges, at least in part, with the fastening structure and loses its visual individuality. This is particularly problematic with sophisticatedly designed objects, including sanitary objects, which are intended to create a desired effect on their own.

[0015] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide an object arrangement and a method for fastening an object to a fastening structure, with which a statically stable fastening is achieved despite the visual "lightness", in particular with optical isolation of the fastened object from the fastening structure.

[0016] This object is achieved according to the invention in that, in an object arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular a sanitary object arrangement, a spacer is arranged between the object and the fastening structure, wherein the spacer is made of a transparent material, in particular of an uncolored transparent material, in particular which is thus to be understood as crystal-clear, at least in its volume.

[0017] According to the invention, the spacer is preferably located between the mounting surface of the object or its partial surface areas and a fastening surface area of ​​the fastening structure opposite the mounting surface or the partial surface areas, preferably without the interposition of further elements. The spacer thus preferably forms the only element that creates a spacing between the object and the fastening structure. This preferably achieves fastening to the fastening structure without, or at least without significantly influencing the color rendering of light penetrating the spacer, in particular wherein the fastening surface area of ​​the fastening structure remains perceptible through the transparent / transparent spacer.This creates a visual effect whereby the object appears to float in front of the mounting structure, as the spacer itself, due to its transparent material, is visually receded into the background, if not at least essentially invisible.

[0018] The object is thereby released from the mounting surface of the mounting structure and can thus develop its visual effect independently of the mounting structure. Particularly in the sanitary sector, e.g., when hanging toilet bowls, bidets, or washbasins on a wall as a mounting structure, this transforms the massive, clumsy sanitary object into a visually light and elegant, one could even say artistic sculpture, because its stability and weight are visually eliminated and the sanitary object, seemingly in contradiction to the required statics and its required water connection, only appears to float freely, but is in fact both statically attached to the mounting structure via the spacer to the required extent and also has the required water connection, in particular through at least one recess in the spacer, but preferably is barely or not at all visually perceptible.Because of the higher optical density of the spacer material, any light emanating from the structures / elements penetrating the spacer does not reach the user standing in front of the object due to total internal reflection.

[0019] The material of the spacer is preferably understood as uncolored transparent if the material used is not artificially colored and / or achieves a color rendering index (CRI) of greater than 80 Ra, preferably greater than 90 Ra, more preferably greater than 95 Ra, in particular when illuminated with sunlight as reference light.

[0020] According to the invention, the spacer further achieves a statically secure attachment of the object, in particular the sanitary object, to the mounting structure, preferably because the mounting surface of the object is at least predominantly, preferably entirely, and in particular any partial areas of the mounting surface are at least predominantly, preferably all, indirectly supported on the mounting structure via the spacer. Thus, even with the use of the interposed spacer, all forces acting on the object are absorbed in the mounting structure.

[0021] In a preferred development, it is provided that the edge surface regions of the spacer extending between the object and the fastening structure, in particular at least the edge surface regions visible during normal use, in particular in partial regions, preferably all edge surface regions, are designed to be clearly transparent, in particular polished.

[0022] The transparency of the edge surface regions preferably ensures that the edge surface regions visible to the observer are not, or only barely, recognizable as boundary surface regions of the spacer, particularly since they have no light-scattering function and preferably only a light-refracting function. Light can therefore pass virtually unhindered, in particular without scattering, in both directions through such a clearly transparent edge surface region, provided it is not trapped inside the spacer under the conditions of total internal reflection, which further reduces visual perceptibility.

[0023] Alternatively, these edge surface areas can also be designed to be light-diffusing, e.g., matte or satin. Even with such a design, the existing translucency of the material in the edge surface area at least largely preserves the visual lightness of the object's attachment and its visual isolation from the attachment structure achieved according to the invention.

[0024] Edge surface areas are understood to be, in particular, those surface areas of the spacer that extend between the two contact surfaces of the spacer, with which the spacer contacts the object on the one hand and the fastening structure on the other. In particular, these edge surface areas form the essentially visible surfaces on the outer periphery of the spacer in the assembled state of the object arrangement.

[0025] It is further preferred that the thickness of the spacer has a value of greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 25 mm, in particular wherein the thickness has a value of less than or equal to 35 mm, preferably less than or equal to 30 mm. The thickness is considered in the direction of the spacing of the two contact surface regions of the spacer. A particularly preferred embodiment is achieved when the thickness of the spacer is between 10 mm and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm.

[0026] These values ​​achieve a sufficiently good optical effect while limiting the use of materials in an economically sensible way, especially without exaggerating the effect unrealistically.

[0027] If the following specifications require a specific orientation of the spacer for a clear understanding, this refers to its orientation when installed as intended between the object and the fastening structure, which also allows for the intended use of the object.

[0028] A transparent plastic is preferably selected as the material, in particular polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G). In particular, a plastic has the advantage of being reversibly deformable under the usual fastening forces / torques of sanitary objects. This offers the advantage that in sanitary objects such as toilet bowls, bidets and washbasins, an additional seal against water between the object and the fastening structure is unnecessary, which is otherwise formed in sanitary objects and their usual fastening method with a visually unattractive silicone joint. In the invention, however, the material of the spacer can preferably be deformed to form a seal, preferably until any gaps between the object and the fastening structure are completely sealed.

[0029] Another preferred alternative for the material is glass, especially white glass. White glass is preferably understood to be a type of glass in which the iron oxide content is at least reduced or eliminated compared to conventional green glass.

[0030] Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and especially glass, continues to be extremely recyclable without requiring downcycling during recycling. Spacers made from this material can be broken down into their original components through chemical recycling to produce new elements – with virtually consistent product quality. The spacers of the invention can also be made from recycled material. This saves resources and avoids waste, making the spacers of the invention environmentally friendly and sustainable.

[0031] In a structurally preferred embodiment, the spacer is designed as a plate with two contact surfaces, preferably lying parallel to one another and spaced apart by the thickness of the plate, between which edge surface regions of the spacer extend, wherein at least a partial region of all edge surface regions, preferably all edge surface regions of the spacer, does not protrude outwards beyond the contour of the object, in particular not beyond the contour of the object extending around the mounting surface.

[0032] If it is not realized that all edge surface areas do not protrude outwards beyond the contour, the invention provides, for example, that a partial area of ​​edge surface areas that do not protrude outwards beyond the contour is preferably formed by an edge surface area of ​​the spacer that is located on top in the mounted state, in particular that extends at least partially in one direction, in particular parallel to the fastening surface, substantially horizontally.

[0033] The mounted state is preferably one in which the contact surface of the spacer which contacts the fastening surface on the fastening structure and the contact surface of the spacer which contacts the mounting surface (or its partial surfaces) of the object each lie in a vertical plane.

[0034] This preferably ensures that the spacer does not protrude outwards beyond the object in the area of ​​its mounting surface, at least in the upper edge surface area, which a user looks at during normal use, preferably in all edge surface areas, but at most runs with the same contour as the object.

[0035] Preferably, not only is it provided that all edge surface areas do not protrude outward beyond the contour, but even that the spacer, at least in some areas, preferably at / with all edge surface areas, protrudes inward behind the contour of the object. Thus, viewed in a projection perpendicular to the mounting direction, the edge surface areas lie within the contour and / or within the object.

[0036] In particular, it is provided that at least one edge surface region of the spacer located at the top in the assembled state, in particular in the previously mentioned assembled state, and preferably also a respective lateral edge surface region, in particular which runs from top to bottom in the assembled state, is recessed inwardly behind the contour of the object. For example, in a further development, it can be provided that the distance of a lateral edge surface region from the contour decreases from top to bottom. A lower edge surface region can preferably also be recessed, or at least not protrude, in particular be flush with the contour.

[0037] In all designs in which at least a portion of all edge surface areas is set back inwards behind the contour of the object, the cross section of the spacer viewed perpendicular to the mounting direction, in particular the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer contacting the object, is smaller than the cross section of the contour.

[0038] Should there be a desire to use sealants, e.g., made of silicone, particularly as silicone joints / seams, in the transition area between the object and the spacer and / or between the spacer and the fastening structure, the invention offers the advantage that the sealant, which often has an unsightly appearance, is not visually noticeable. Preferably, however, the invention allows for the possibility of dispensing with sealants.

[0039] In all designs in which at least one upper edge surface area and the respective lateral edge surface areas, in particular also a possible lower edge surface area, are positioned inward behind the contour, the spacer is preferably removed from the visual field of perception for a person standing in front of the object. In this case, the spacer can also be made of a non-transparent material, in particular any material.

[0040] It can be provided, particularly in an embodiment in which the spacer is located inwardly behind the contour of the object at all edge surface areas, that the distance of a respective edge surface area, in particular at least the outer edge surface area, from the contour is the same everywhere. In this case, the edge surface area runs parallel to the extension of the contour. The outer cross-sectional shape of the spacer then preferably corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the contour multiplied by a factor less than 1.

[0041] The invention preferably provides that the distance of an edge surface region located inward behind the contour (in particular the upper and / or lateral edge surface region) from the contour has a dimension that is less than or equal to the thickness of the spacer. The distance is preferably 50% to 75% of the thickness of the spacer, preferably 60% of the thickness of the spacer. If a spacer is 25 mm thick, for example, the distance of the edge surface region, in particular at least one upper, preferably also one lateral edge surface region, from the contour is preferably 15 mm.

[0042] The contour of the object, in particular of the sanitary object, is preferably understood as the outer boundary line of the cross-section of the object viewed perpendicular to the mounting direction (the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the mounting structure) in the plane of the mounting surface or in an area / plane lying in the object shortly before the plane of the mounting surface, in particular which lies parallel to the plane of the mounting surface.

[0043] Here, as well as in the following, an area / plane just in front of the plane of the mounting surface is preferably understood to be an area or plane that lies no more than 15 mm, preferably no more than 10 mm, more preferably no more than 5 mm in front of the plane of the mounting surface in the object. The consideration of such an area is due to the fact that objects, in particular sanitary objects, are often rounded at the edges adjacent to the mounting surface plane, so that the cross-section of the object exactly in the mounting surface plane is smaller than the actual and visually perceptible cross-section of the object. In one possible embodiment, the invention provides that the edge surface areas are everywhere or at least predominantly perpendicular to the surface of the fastening structure and / or the mounting surface of the object orare formed perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the spacer, which contact the aforementioned surfaces after assembly.

[0044] The perpendicular orientation to the surface of the fastening structure is preferably understood to mean that a normal vector on an edge surface area runs parallel to the fastening surface of the fastening structure.

[0045] This design provides a simple way of producing a plate as a spacer, e.g. by cutting processes, e.g.

[0046] Laser cutting, especially for transparent plastics. Laser cutting has the advantage that the cut surfaces, which form the edge areas, are usually sufficiently transparent and do not require subsequent polishing, although polishing is possible.

[0047] A preferred embodiment provides that the cross-section of the contact surface of the spacer that contacts the mounting surface of the sanitary object and / or the cross-section of the contact surface of the spacer that contacts the fastening structure is smaller than or at most equal to the cross-section of the object in the plane of the mounting surface or in an area / plane just before the plane of the mounting surface. This ensures that neither of the two contact surfaces of the spacer protrudes outward beyond the contour of the object, because each of these contact surfaces corresponds at most to or is smaller than the cross-section of the object in the relevant plane.

[0048] In one embodiment, for example, it may be provided that an area of ​​the spacer between the two contact surfaces, which may be of equal or different size, has a smaller cross-section than the cross-section of each of the two contact surfaces. Thus, a maximum taper of the spacer, viewed in the thickness direction, can be present between the two contact surfaces.

[0049] A further preferred embodiment provides that the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer contacting the fastening structure is smaller than the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer contacting the mounting surface of the sanitary object.

[0050] This preferably results in the spacer tapering in its cross-section toward the fastening structure. Such a taper can be, for example, stepped or preferably uniform or continuous, in particular linear or curved.

[0051] Preferably, a taper can be provided on all edge surface areas, i.e. continuously around the entire spacer, preferably everywhere in the same way or, for example, only in an upper edge surface area lying in the visible area.

[0052] In general, a taper can be linear or curved, preferably viewed in the thickness direction of the spacer.

[0053] Alternatively, a taper is provided only or at least on a partial area of ​​the edge surface area viewed in the circumferential direction, preferably on an upper edge area of ​​the spacer, particularly when the spacer is arranged on a vertical wall as a fastening structure. In this case, the upper edge surface area represents the directly visually accessible top view area for an observer. In this case, the remaining edge surface areas can preferably have an orientation perpendicular to the fastening surface.

[0054] Preferably, in all embodiments that provide for a taper, the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer that contacts the mounting surface of the object is the same size as the cross section of the object in the plane of the mounting surface or in a region / plane just before the plane of the mounting surface, in particular whereby a full-surface support of the mounting surface of the object is achieved despite the taper.

[0055] A preferred embodiment provides that, when using a spacer on a wall as a fastening structure, an upper edge surface region of the spacer, in particular which runs at least partially parallel to the fastening surface of the fastening structure, is lowered across the entire thickness of the spacer at a constant distance below the upper contour line that the cross-section of the object has in the plane of the mounting surface or in a region / plane shortly before the plane of the mounting surface. In this embodiment, the upper edge surface region is thus lowered in a stepped manner below the upper contour / edge of the object and is therefore less visually perceptible. However, this embodiment is accompanied by a lack of full-surface support of the mounting surface on the object.

[0056] Alternatively, it is provided that when using a spacer on a wall as a fastening structure, an upper edge surface region of the spacer, in particular which runs at least partially parallel to the fastening surface of the fastening structure, is designed to slope downwards from the object in the direction of the fastening structure in height at least partially, in particular over the entire extent.

[0057] Such a sloping formation can, for example, be linearly sloping at least in some areas, or initially sloping and then rising again, in particular forming a channel.

[0058] Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, it is also provided that an upper edge surface region forms a groove or has a groove that runs parallel to the surface of the fastening structure, preferably with the groove being arranged closer to the fastening structure than to the object, in particular with the groove adjacent to the fastening surface of the fastening structure. This preferably ensures that dirt or splash water can collect in this groove and can be cleaned off more easily.

[0059] Such a groove in the upper edge surface area, especially if it is formed over the entire thickness of the spacer, has the further advantage that it acts like a concave lens for light coming from the volume of the spacer, whereby elements necessarily present in the spacer or penetrating it, such as fastening elements or piping elements, appear smaller when viewed from the outside, whereby their optical effect can be reduced.

[0060] The invention can generally also provide that the edge surface regions of the spacer are provided at least in some regions with an inclination which deviates from a perpendicular orientation of the edge surface regions to the fastening surface, in particular such that light from the interior of the spacer is refracted away by an observer in comparison to the perpendicular orientation.

[0061] For example, this can be achieved by having the surface normal on an edge surface region point a component towards the fastening surface, in particular by intersecting it. Since a light ray emerging from the interior of the spacer is refracted by the surface normal, the deviation of the surface normal from the position parallel to the fastening surface towards the fastening surface causes the refracted light ray to also shift towards the fastening surface and thus move away from an observer compared to the situation if the surface normal were parallel to the fastening surface or if the edge surface region were perpendicular to the fastening surface when viewed in the thickness direction of the spacer. This design therefore also makes it possible to move light originating from elements present in the spacer away from the field of perception of an observer.The invention can also provide that the edge surface regions of the spacer, at least in some areas, preferably completely, have a reflection-reducing surface coating or surface treatment. Such an anti-reflective coating or treatment further reduces the visual perceptibility of the edge surface regions as boundary surfaces of the spacer.

[0062] A preferred development of the invention provides that pipeline elements and / or fastening elements that pass through the spacer bear a specularly reflective sleeve, or the surface of bores or recesses in the spacer for the passage of pipeline elements and / or fastening elements is provided with a specular coating. A sleeve can be designed, for example, as a polished and / or chrome-plated metal sleeve, e.g., made of aluminum. A plastic sleeve can also be provided with a specular coating to form a sleeve according to the invention.

[0063] Another preferred embodiment provides that the spacer has at least one of the functional elements mentioned below. Such a functional element can be arranged, for example, in / on at least one recess of the spacer, preferably in at least one recess in a lower edge surface area or in the contact surface of the spacer facing the object or the fastening structure.

[0064] For example, a functional element can be formed by a lighting device, in particular based on LEDs (light-emitting diodes) as the light source. By means of the at least one lighting device, the light emitted by the at least one light source can preferably be coupled into the transparent material, in particular wherein it can propagate therein at least in regions using the principle of total internal reflection, and can preferably also emerge from the spacer through edge surface regions. In this way, illumination of the object near the mounting surface can be achieved, which preferably radiates light outwards around the mounting surface, in particular which can create a grazing light phenomenon, in particular a structured / shaped grazing light phenomenon on the fastening surface.

[0065] In order to achieve light extraction at edge surface areas that guide the light under the condition of total internal reflection, it can be provided, for example, that these or other edge surface areas have a structure that disrupts total internal reflection. For example, such an edge surface area can be designed to diffuse light in sections or over its entire surface, e.g., with a matte or satin finish.

[0066] The lighting device can be powered by a power source arranged in the spacer as an additional functional element, e.g., by at least one battery, or by an external power connection. It can be provided that the lighting device is controlled by a control device integrated in the spacer, e.g., depending on an external signal or a measured value detected by a sensor.

[0067] A preferred embodiment provides that a lighting device comprises a plurality of individual light sources, in particular a plurality of individual LEDs, in particular wherein the light sources / LEDs are arranged next to one another on a circuit board strip, wherein the light sources are arranged in the circumferential direction around an element penetrating the spacer.

[0068] Such a penetrating element can, for example, be formed in a preferred embodiment by the wastewater pipe and / or flush water pipe of a toilet bowl. This design has the advantage that the penetrating element does not obscure the light, because the light is essentially radiated from the element into the spacer.

[0069] In a preferred development, the light sources are arranged on a ring with radially outwardly directed light emission, which is arranged in a recess of the spacer penetrated by the element or on the penetrating element.

[0070] Another possible embodiment can provide for the light sources, in particular the light sources lying next to one another on a printed circuit board strip, to lie in a groove arranged in the spacer, which groove is guided in the spacer at least partially around at least one recessed area, in particular a single recessed area, which is provided in the spacer for the passage of fastening elements and / or piping elements through the spacer. The groove is preferably introduced from one of the mounting surfaces of the spacer towards the other mounting surface. A printed circuit board strip is preferably located in the groove in such a way that the light sources / LEDs illuminate through outward-facing edge surface regions of the spacer. The groove preferably has a depth that is greater than or equal to the width of the printed circuit board strip and less than the thickness of the spacer.

[0071] It is preferably provided that the plurality of light sources is connected by means of a cable to another functional element, in particular an energy source and / or control device, preferably wherein the cable is guided in a groove or in a channel in the material of the spacer.

[0072] For example, a functional element can be configured with a signal generator to generate an acoustic or optical signal, in particular to generate a sequence of tones or voice output. This allows a user-perceivable signal to be generated, e.g., depending on the operating state of the object, e.g., in the case of a toilet bowl, when a user sits down and / or stands up and a sensor detects this.

[0073] For example, a functional element can be embodied by a sensor for metrologically recording an operating state of the object, in particular wherein the sensor is embodied as a motion detector or force sensor or vibration sensor or optical sensor (e.g. light barrier). For example, the sensor can be used to detect the use of an object, e.g. the use of a toilet bowl when a user sits on it, and a sensor, e.g. force sensor, measurably records the resulting force load. For example, it can be provided to use a sensor, preferably an optical sensor, to detect the movement of a part of the object, in particular the opening and / or closing of a toilet lid, and to trigger an action with another functional element as a function of this, e.g. with the signal generator.

[0074] A functional element can also be formed by a signal input, in particular for triggering an action of another functional element depending on an externally received signal. Such an externally received signal can, for example, originate from a home control system and be triggered when a user enters a room with the object. The signal can, for example, originate from a motion detector of the home control system that is external to the spacer. The signal can, for example, trigger a function of the lighting device and / or the signal generator. The signal input can, for example, be wired or implemented using wireless technology.

[0075] A functional element can also be configured by a control device for controlling another functional element, in particular a lighting device or a signal generator. Preferably, the control device is configured to perform the control depending on a signal from another functional element, e.g., depending on a received measured value from a sensor, in particular a previously mentioned sensor, or on a received signal.

[0076] For example, the control device can receive the force signal from a force sensor or the signal from an optical or other sensor and, depending on this, control the lighting device and / or the signal generator. For example, a functional element can also be configured with at least one energy source, in particular a battery or accumulator, for supplying energy to at least one other functional element.

[0077] The aforementioned functional elements listed as examples can be implemented individually and in any combination on / in the spacer. Electrical wired and / or wireless connections can exist between different functional elements so that they can exchange information / signals with each other. Cables for connecting two or more functional elements can be formed by grooves and / or channels in the spacer material that run between the connected functional elements.

[0078] In particular, it is provided to combine at least one lighting device and / or a signal generator with a sensor and a control device, in particular also with a power source provided in / on the spacer or externally, which controls them depending on the measured value of the sensor. A signal input can also be provided.

[0079] A particularly preferred structural embodiment provides that the spacer is designed as a plate with a U-shaped cross section, in particular as a plate with a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the direction of the spacing between the object and the fastening structure.

[0080] Preferably, the U-shaped plate has a base which, when properly assembled, is located at the top of the arrangement, on each side of which a downwardly extending leg with a free end is arranged, preferably wherein the legs are tapered towards their free ends and / or inclined towards one another, in particular wherein a single recess is formed between the legs and the base, through which fastening elements and / or piping elements of the object are passed.Further preferably, a groove for receiving a functional element, in particular for receiving a lighting device, preferably for receiving a printed circuit board strip comprising light sources, is guided along the course of the legs, in particular also along the course of the base, preferably with the groove being spaced further apart from the outwardly facing edge surface regions of the legs than from the edge surface regions of the legs that face inward toward the single recess. The position of the groove can be selected such that fastening forces in the region of the legs act laterally outside, next to the groove, through the spacer.

[0081] It is preferably further provided here that an energy source for supplying the lighting device is arranged in the single recess, in particular on the inside of one of the legs.

[0082] The invention provides the advantage of producing object arrangements according to the invention originally or subsequently from a known object arrangement of the prior art by inserting a spacer made of a transparent material, in particular an uncolored transparent material, between the mounting surface of the object and the fastening structure for fastening an object, in particular a sanitary object, to a fastening structure. For this purpose, a plate made of a transparent material, in particular an uncolored transparent material, preferably with clearly transparent edge surface regions, is used as the spacer when fastening the object, in particular a sanitary object, to a fastening structure, in particular to achieve a visual effect of the object floating in front of the fastening structure.

[0083] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

[0084] Figures 1A and 1B show two different views of a first embodiment of the invention using a toilet bowl as object 1, which is attached to a wall as a mounting structure 2 by means of a spacer 3 made of a transparent plastic, e.g., PMMA / acrylic glass. Both the mounting screws / threaded rods and the supply and wastewater pipes penetrate the spacer 3, which is shown in dashed lines in Figure 1B only for the wastewater pipe 4.

[0085] The spacer 3 has an exemplary thickness in the preferred range of 10 mm to 35 mm, in particular of 25 mm, wherein its edge surface regions 3a, which form the visible outer periphery of the spacer 3, are preferably designed to be clearly transparent, e.g. by subsequent polishing of the edge surface regions 3a created during a cutting process.

[0086] In this embodiment, it can be seen that the edge surface regions 3a are oriented over the entire circumferential periphery of the spacer 3 perpendicular to the surface of the wall 2 to which the toilet bowl 1 is attached or also to the opposite contact surfaces of the spacer 3.

[0087] The spacer 3 has a constant cross-section over the entire thickness, wherein the contour of the cross-section of the spacer 3 is of the same shape or scaled smaller by a factor to the contour of the cross-section of the toilet bowl 1 in the plane E, in which the mounting surface 1a of the toilet bowl lies or a plane E1 explained below or both contours of the spacer 3 and the toilet bowl 1a lie at least substantially on top of one another.

[0088] By fastening the toilet bowl 1 indirectly via the spacer 3 made of transparent material with preferably clear edge surface areas and by adapting the outer cross-section of the spacer 3 to the cross-section of the toilet bowl 1 in the plane of its mounting surface 1a or the plane E1 explained below, a visual impression is created according to which the toilet bowl appears to float in front of the wall 2, wherein it is statically securely fastened to the wall 2, in particular having all the necessary water connections.In a modification to Figures 1A and 1B, Figures 2A and 2B show, in the same views, a second embodiment in which the spacer 3 is designed such that its cross section tapers on all sides, starting from the contact surface against which the toilet bowl 1 rests in the direction of the contact surface against which the wall 2 rests, in this example linearly, so that all edge surface regions 3a are inclined in the direction of the wall 2, in particular are no longer oriented perpendicular to the wall 2.

[0089] In this way, it can be achieved that the edge surface areas 3a, when viewed by a user standing in front of the toilet bowl 1, are at least partially, and possibly completely depending on the inclination, hidden behind the edges 1b of the toilet bowl 1, which delimit the mounting surface 1a in the plane E. In this embodiment, despite the tapering of the spacer 3, full-surface support of the mounting surface 1a in the plane E is achieved because the spacer 3 preferably has the same cross-section there as the toilet bowl 1.

[0090] Figures 3A and 3B show, in the same views, a third embodiment in which the taper of the adapter plate 3 is provided only in the upper edge surface area 3a, which a user sees directly from above. The other edge surface areas 3a are oriented perpendicular to the surface of the wall 2 in the sectional views shown.

[0091] Figure 4 shows a further variant according to which the upper edge surface region 3a of the spacer 3 has a groove 3b, in particular in which the upper edge surface region 3a is designed to slope downwards in height towards the wall 2 in a first partial area, which is closer to the toilet bowl 1, in particular is linearly sloping and has a groove 3b in a second partial area, which is closer to the wall 2 than the first partial area. The groove 3b makes it easier to collect and clean accumulating dirt or splash water. The other edge surface regions 3a can, for example, be designed as shown in Figures 2b or 3b. Figure 5 shows a further variant in which the upper edge surface region 3a has a groove 3b over its entire thickness extending between the toilet bowl 1 and the wall 2. Here too, the other edge surface regions 3a can, for example,be designed as shown in Figures 2b or 3b.

[0092] In this design, the channel 3b acts like a concave lens for light emerging from the spacer, e.g., from fastening elements or pipes, so that these elements, if visible, are displayed smaller than they actually are. This significantly reduces the visual perceptibility of these elements. Preferably, the two contact surfaces of the spacer 3 are designed to match the cross-section of the toilet bowl in plane E. This design also results in a maximum taper of the spacer 3 between the two contact surfaces.

[0093] Figure 6A shows a further embodiment in which the upper edge surface region 3a is reduced in height below the upper edge 1b of the toilet bowl 1 in the plane E, wherein this edge surface region 3a is oriented perpendicular to the fastening surface of the wall 2. As a result, the upper edge surface region 3a also protrudes from the immediate field of vision of a user, or below this upper edge of the toilet bowl 1. The lowering of the upper edge surface region 3a below the upper edge 1b corresponds to a receding of the edge surface region in the inward direction behind the edge 1b or contour.

[0094] Here, too, the other edge surface regions 3a can be designed, for example, as shown in Figures 2b or 3b. According to Figure 6B, however, the lateral edge surface regions 3a, like the upper edge surface region 3a, are also designed to recede inwardly behind the contour of the toilet bowl.

[0095] Preferably, the value corresponds to the reduction of the upper

[0096] Edge surface area 3a below the upper edge 1b of the toilet bowl 1, or also the distance of the lateral edge surface areas from the contour, in one possible embodiment of the thickness of the spacer 3 or in another possible embodiment 50% to 75% of the thickness, in particular 60% of the thickness of the spacer 3.

[0097] Figure ? visualizes that when an object 1, such as a toilet bowl 1 shown with rounded edges 1b at the transition to the mounting surface 1a, is manufactured for manufacturing purposes, which is greatly exaggerated in Figure 7, it is sensible not to adapt the cross section or the contour of the cross section of the spacer 3, which is not shown here, in particular at its contact surface facing the object 1 or the fastening structure 2, exactly to the cross section of the object 1 at the location of the plane E of the mounting surface 1a, but rather to the cross section of the object 1 at a distance in front of the mounting surface 1a, here the plane E1, this plane E1 having a distance to the plane E which is preferably less than 15 mm, more preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 5 mm. The plane E1 should preferably have a minimum distance from the plane E at which the plane E1 lies outside a manufacturing rounding.

[0098] The consideration of the plane E explained here or the plane E1 for determining the contour is preferably carried out in all possible embodiments of the invention.

[0099] Figure 8A shows an embodiment in which an illumination device 5 is integrated into the spacer 3, e.g., arranged in a recess at the lower edge surface region 3a. This illumination device can be used to couple light 6 into the spacer 3, which passes through the spacer 3 and spreads, at least in some areas, according to the principle of total internal reflection. The light 6 can, for example, emerge from the edge surface regions on all sides.

[0100] Figure 8B shows an alternative embodiment in which the

[0101] Lighting device 5 is in each case designed as a plurality of light sources 5a, in particular LEDs, arranged in a ring shape and in the circumferential direction around the flush water pipe 4 and / or the waste water pipe 4 of the toilet bowl 1. As a result, the light 6 emanates from the respective pipe, so that no shading effect occurs as a result of this. The ring-shaped arrangement of light sources 5a can be formed by a ring with light sources 5a radiating radially outwards, which ring is pushed onto the respective pipe 4 and is carried by it or which is fastened on / in the edge of the recess in the spacer 3, which is penetrated by the respective pipe. The ring can be formed, for example, by a ring-shaped, bent circuit board strip with light sources.

[0102] Figure 9 shows a further embodiment in which a signal generator 7, here preferably a tone generator 7, is arranged in the spacer 3. This can be controlled, for example, as a function of a measured value recorded by the sensor 8. For example, at least one tone or speech can be played when the sensor 8 indicates a monitored operating state, e.g., that a user sits down or stands up. The control device for controlling the tone generator 7 as a function of the measured value from the sensor 8 can be built into the tone generator 7 or arranged externally thereto in the spacer 3.

[0103] Figure 10 shows a structurally preferred embodiment of the spacer 3, in which it is designed as a plate with a U-shaped cross section, in particular as a U-shaped plate with a cross section perpendicular to the direction of spacing between the object and the fastening structure. Object 1 and fastening structure 2 are not shown here.

[0104] The spacer 3 here has a base 3c which, when properly assembled, is located at the top of the arrangement. On each of the two sides of the base 3c, a downwardly extending leg 3d with a free end is arranged, preferably with the legs 3d tapering towards their free – here lower – ends and / or inclined towards each other. In this embodiment, only a single recess 3e is formed between the legs 3d and the base 3c, through which fastening elements 13 and / or piping elements 4 of the object 1 are passed, which are shown here in dotted lines.

[0105] Figure 10 further illustrates in the upper view that the edge surfaces 3a of the spacer 3 are all located inward relative to the contour K of a toilet bowl in the region of its contact surface / mounting surface, in particular the contour in the plane E or E1, which is shown here as a dotted line outside the spacer 3. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the outer edge surface region 3a runs with the same contour as the contour K. According to the invention, however, the cross-section of the spacer 3 does not extend beyond the contour K to the outside at any point.

[0106] The embodiment shown here provides that a groove 11 for receiving a functional element, in particular here for receiving a lighting device 5, preferably for receiving a circuit board strip 5b comprising light sources 5a, is guided along the course of the legs 3d, in particular also along the course of the base 3c. In this case, the groove 11 is preferably spaced further from the outwardly facing edge surface regions 3a of the legs 3d than from the edge surface regions 3a of the legs 3d that face inward toward the single recess 3e.

[0107] At the bottom of Figure 10, a detailed view of the groove 11 with the circuit board strip 5b and the light sources / LEDs carried by it, whose light emission direction points outwards, is shown.

[0108] In this embodiment, it can preferably be provided that all or at least the outwardly facing edge surface regions 3 are designed to scatter light, e.g., by a matting or satin finish. The edge surface regions 3a can, however, also be polished. A power source 12 for supplying the lighting device 5 is arranged in the single recess 3e, in particular on the inside of one of the legs 3d, and is connected to the lighting device 5 via lines. Alternatively, a power source can also be arranged externally of the spacer 3. The representation of the power source 12 therefore does not limit the U-shaped design of the spacer 3.

[0109] Due to the U-shaped design, the single recess 3e is open at the bottom, allowing access to the recess 3e to arrange any additional required elements between the object 1 and the fastening structure 2, e.g., the functional elements mentioned above. The specific inner contour of the edge surfaces 3a, which define the single recess 3e, is irrelevant to the invention. The specific design shown here is therefore not to be understood as limiting the invention.

Claims

January 16, 2025 Patent claims 1. Object arrangement comprising an object (1), in particular a sanitary object (1), which is fastened to a fastening structure (2), characterized in that a spacer (3) is arranged between the object (1), in particular its mounting surface (1a), and the fastening structure (2), in particular a fastening surface region of the fastening structure (2) opposite the mounting surface (1a), wherein the spacer (3) is made of a transparent material, in particular of an uncolored transparent material.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge surface regions (3a) of the spacer (3) extending between the object (1) and the fastening structure (2), in particular at least the edge surface regions (3a) visible during normal use, preferably all edge surface regions (3a), are designed to be clearly transparent, in particular are polished, or are matt.

3. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the spacer (3) has a value of greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 15 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 25 mm, in particular wherein the thickness has a value of less than or equal to 35 mm, preferably less than or equal to 30 mm.

4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the following is selected as the material of the spacer (3): transparent plastic, in particular Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G) or glass, in particular white glass.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (3) is designed as a plate with two contact surfaces, preferably parallel to one another and spaced apart by the thickness of the plate, between which edge surface regions (3a) of the spacer (3) extend, wherein at least a partial region of all edge surface regions (3a), preferably all edge surface regions (3a) of the spacer (3), does not protrude outwards beyond the contour of the object (1).

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge surface regions (3a) are formed everywhere or in at least a predominant area perpendicular to the surface of the fastening structure (2).

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer (3) contacting the mounting surface of the sanitary object and / or the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer (3) contacting the fastening structure (2) is smaller or at most equal to the cross section of the object (1) in the plane (E) of the mounting surface (1a) or in a region / plane (E1) in front of the plane (E) of the mounting surface (1a).

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer (3) contacting the fastening structure (2) is smaller than the cross section of the contact surface of the spacer (3) contacting the mounting surface (1a) of the object (1).

9. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when using a spacer (3) on a wall as a fastening structure (2), an upper edge surface region (3a) of the spacer (3), in particular which runs at least partially parallel to the fastening surface of the fastening structure (2), a. is lowered over the entire thickness of the spacer (3) at a constant distance below the upper contour line which the cross-section of the object (1) has in the plane (E) of the mounting surface (1a) or in a region (a plane (E1) in front of the plane (E) of the mounting surface (1a), or b.from the object (1) in the direction of the fastening structure (2) in height at least in some areas, in particular over the entire extent, is designed to fall away, in particular at least in some areas, linearly, and in particular wherein a lateral edge surface area is also designed to recede inwards behind the lateral contour line with a constant or decreasing distance from top to bottom, and / or preferably wherein a constant distance or a maximum distance to the contour line is in the range of 50% to 75%, preferably 60% of the thickness of the spacer (3).

10. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 9, characterized in that an upper edge surface region (3a) forms a groove (3b) or has a groove (3b) which runs parallel to the surface of the fastening structure (2), preferably wherein the groove (3b) is arranged closer to the fastening structure (2) than to the object (1), in particular wherein the groove (3b) adjoins the fastening surface of the fastening structure (2).

11. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge surface regions (3a) of the spacer (3) are at least partially provided with an inclination which deviates from a perpendicular orientation of the edge surface regions (3a) to the fastening surface (2), in particular such that light from the interior of the spacer (3) is refracted by an observer in comparison to the perpendicular orientation.

12. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge surface regions (3a) of the spacer (3) have, at least in some regions, a reflection-reducing surface coating or surface treatment.

13. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pipe elements (4) and / or fastening elements which are passed through the spacer (3) carry a specularly reflecting sleeve or the surface of recesses / bores in the spacer (3) for passing through pipe elements (4) and / or fastening elements are coated in a specular manner.

14. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (3) has at least one of the following functional elements, in particular in at least one recess of the spacer (3), preferably in at least one recess on a lower edge surface region (3a) or in the contact surface facing the object or the fastening structure: a. at least one lighting device (5), in particular with which light (6) can be coupled into the transparent material, preferably which can emerge from the spacer (3) through edge surface regions (3a), in particular wherein the edge surface regions (3a) have structures that disrupt total reflection, b. at least one signal generator (7) for generating an acoustic or optical signal, in particular for generating a tone sequence or voice output, c. at least one sensor (8) for metrologically detecting an operating state of the object, in particular wherein the sensor is designed as a motion detector or force sensor or vibration sensor, d. at least one signal input, in particular for triggering an action of another functional element as a function of an externally received signal, e. at least one control device (9) for controlling another functional element (5, 7), in particular a lighting device (5) or a signal generator (7), preferably as a function of the measured value of a sensor (8) or a received signal, f. at least one energy source (12), in particular a battery or an accumulator for supplying energy to at least one other functional element.

15. Arrangement according to claim 14, alternative a), characterized in that the lighting device (5) comprises a plurality of individual light sources (5a), in particular a plurality of individual LEDs, preferably arranged side by side on a circuit board strip, a. wherein the light sources (5a) are arranged in the circumferential direction around at least one element (4) penetrating the spacer (3), preferably wherein the light sources (5a) are arranged on a ring with radially outwardly directed light emission, which ring is arranged in a recess of the spacer (3) penetrated by the element (4). spacer (3) or on the penetrating element (4), or b. wherein the light sources, in particular the light sources (5a) lying next to one another on a circuit board strip (5b), lie in a groove (11) arranged in the spacer (3), which groove is guided in the spacer (3) at least in regions around at least one recess region which is provided in the spacer for the passage of fastening elements and / or pipeline elements (4) through the spacer (3).

16. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (3) is designed as a plate with an egg-shaped cross section, in particular as a plate with a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the direction of the spacing between the object (1) and the fastening structure (2).

17. Arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that the U-shaped plate has a base (3c) which, when mounted as intended, is located at the top of the arrangement, on the sides of which a downwardly extending leg (3d) with a free end is arranged, preferably wherein the legs (3d) taper towards their free ends and / or are inclined towards one another, in particular wherein a single recess (3e) is formed between the legs (3d) and the base (3c), through which recess fastening elements (13) and / or pipe elements (4) of the object (1) are guided.

18. Arrangement according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that a groove (11) for receiving a functional element, in particular for receiving a lighting device (5), preferably for receiving a circuit board strip (5b) comprising light sources (5a), along the course of the legs (3d), in particular also along the course of the Base (3c), preferably wherein the groove (11) is spaced further from the outwardly facing edge surface regions (3a) of the legs (3d) than from the edge surface regions (3a) of the legs (3d) which point inwards towards the single recess (3e).

19. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims 16 to 18, characterized in that an energy source (12) for supplying the lighting device (5) is arranged in the single recess (3e), in particular on the inside of one of the legs (3d).

20. Method for fastening an object (1), in particular a sanitary object (1) to a fastening structure (2), characterized in that a spacer (3) made of a transparent material, in particular of an uncolored transparent material, is inserted between the mounting surface (1a) of the object (1) and the fastening structure (2), in particular for forming an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims. 21 .Use of a plate made of a transparent material, in particular of an uncolored transparent material, preferably with clearly transparent edge surface regions (3a), as a spacer (3) when fastening an object (1), in particular a sanitary object (1) to a fastening structure (2), in particular for achieving a visual effect of the object (1) floating in front of the fastening structure (2), preferably wherein the plate is designed as a solid material except for necessary recesses for the passage of fastening elements or piping elements or for functional elements.

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