Adjustable Bolt and Cap Assembly for Plumbing Fixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fastener assemblies for plumbing fixtures require cutting excess bolt length to accommodate varying floor thicknesses, leading to unsightly protrusions that interfere with cleaning and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A bolt and cap assembly featuring a flanged nut, bolt, washer, and cap, where the bolt is adjustable to account for floor thickness variations, allowing for secure mounting without cutting, and a cap that conceals the bolt head for a low-profile, aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If threaded rods or bolts extend upward from the flange to account for variations in floor thickness, then the plumbing fixture can be installed on various types of floors, but the rods/bolts extend a significant distance above the base requiring cutting operations and resulting in unsightly protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate components: a flanged nut that remains in the flange, a bolt that passes through the fixture base, and a cap that covers the assembly. This segmentation allows the bolt to be shorter while still providing adjustable fastening capability through the flanged nut's positioning within the flange slot.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap encases the bolt head and washer, creating a nested structure where smaller components are contained within larger ones. This nesting eliminates the need for the bolt to extend far beyond the base, as the cap provides the external coverage function, resulting in a low-profile assembly that does not interfere with cleaning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bolt extends significantly above the base to accommodate floor thickness variations, then various floor thicknesses can be accommodated, but secondary cutting operations are required and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flanged nut is pre-installed in the flange with its flange portion seated in the slot before the bolt is inserted. This preliminary positioning establishes the fastening reference point, allowing the bolt to be a standard length without requiring post-installation cutting, as the adjustable positioning is already configured.
Solution Approach 2:
The flanged nut can move longitudinally within the flange slot to adjust to different floor thicknesses, providing dynamic adaptability. This movement capability eliminates the need for multiple fixed-length bolts or cutting operations, as the same bolt-nut assembly can be adjusted for various installation conditions.
3Shape
If a decorative cap protrudes a significant distance above the base to cover the nut/washer, then the fastening components are concealed, but cleaning accessibility is interfered with and the appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap dimensions are optimized to provide adequate coverage of the bolt head and washer while maintaining a low profile. By carefully controlling the cap's height and diameter parameters, sufficient aesthetic concealment is achieved without creating a protruding structure that would interfere with cleaning operations around the fixture base.
Data Source
AI summary
A bolt and cap assembly for mounting a plumbing fixture includes a flanged nut, a bolt, a washer, and a cap. The flanged nut includes a flange and a sleeve extending therefrom. The bolt includes a substantially planar head and a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft is configured to threadably engage the flanged nut to couple the plumbing fixture to a mounting flange. The washer is configured to be positioned between the bolt and the flanged nut. The cap is configured to be removably coupled to the washer and to encase the substantially planar head of the bolt between the washer and the cap so as to conceal the substantially planar head from view and to prevent fluid from entering an area between the cap and the washer.