GB2221968A

GB2221968A - Plastics seating for screw fixings

Info

Publication number: GB2221968A
Application number: GB8819462A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Geoffrey Petrie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-16
Filing date: 1988-08-16
Publication date: 1990-02-21
Also published as: GB8819462D0

Abstract

A yieldable plastics seating for screw fixings, e.g. for sanitary ware, comprises a tubular sleeve 1 with a recessed head 2 at one end. The head 2 has a diameter greater than that of the sleeve 1. A passage 4, to receive a screw, passes through the head and sleeve. The construction and material of the seating prevent damage to the item to be fixed. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION PLASTICS SEATING The present invention is concerned with a plastics seating for screw fixings, particularly for use in attaching sanitary ware to bathroom or kitchen floors or walls.

When attaching porcelain sanitary ware, such as a toilet bowl, a cistern or a sink, to a wall or floor, conventional steel screws are not generally used, since they are prone to rusting, particularly in a damp environment. When rusting of such screws occurs, expansion of the screw takes place, which gives rise to cracking of the ware through which it passes.

Brass screws may be used. However, the use of brass is an expensive measure, and whilst brass does not rust, it will still oxidise, leading to discolouration of the screw and/or the surrounding area. This is unsightly, and the oxidised surface is unhygienic.

In accordance with the present invention, a yieldable plastics seating for screw fixings comprises a tubular sleeve with, at one end, a head of diameter greater than that of the sleeve, the face of the head remote from the sleeve being formed with a recess to accomodate the head of a countersunk screw, and with a passage for a screw passing centrally through the head and sleeve.

The head of the seating may be substantially discoid, or it may be frustoconical, so that the seating will rest in a bore in the sanitary ware item which has been shaped to receive a countersunk screw.

The seating may be provided with an integral cap attached to the head, which covers the recess when containing the head of a screw.

The use of d seating of a yieldable plastics material, such as low density polythene, protects the screw and provides cushioning, the plastics material enabling the seating to absorb expansion of the screw due to rusting, if any. The relatively large size of the head, together with the feature that the diameter of the recess is greater than that of the sleeve, allow the pressure provided by the tightened screw on the item to be fixed to be reduced. Cracking of the glazing of the sanitary ware item when tightening the screw during fixing is thus less likely to occur.

The likelihood of cracking is also reduced by the yieldability of the plastics seating.

Examples of plastics seatings according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plastics seating with a discoid head; Figure 2 is a side view of a plastics seating with a frustoconical head; and Figure 3 is a side view of a plastics seating provided with an integral cap.

In Figure 1, a plastics seating has a tubular sleeve 1 with an integral discoid head 2. The head 2 has a diameter greater than that of the cross-section of the sleeve and has a shallow frustoconical recess 3 and a passage 4 passes through the head and sleeve. The recess 3 has a diameter greater than that of the sleeve 1.

The plastics seating shown in Figure 2 comprises a tubular sleeve 5 and a frustoconical head 6, which has a frustoconical recess 7. A bore 8 passes through the sleeve and head, as in the example shown in Figure 1. The frustoconical shape of the external part of the head 6 enables the seating to be used in fixing items wherein a bore with a countersunk recess is already provided, as is the case with some sanitary ware items.

If desired, the head of the seating may be provided with an integral cap 9 attached by a tab 10, as shown in Figure 3, the cap 9 covering the screw head once fixing has been completed.

In use, the plastics seating is placed in a fixing hole of the toilet bowl, sink, etc, and a fixing screw passed through it, the screw then being screwed into place with the screw head seated in the recess of the seating head.

The plastics seating of the invention has many other uses. For example, when fixing a wooden cupboard or the like to a wall, the sleeve may be cut to a length substantially equal to the thickness of the portion of the cupboard to be attached, so that when fixed, the end of the sleeve further from the head abuts the wall and acts as a spacer. The large surface area of the head reduces the pressure on the wooden surface of the cupboard. These two aspects prevent overtightening of the screw and damage to the wooden material of the cupboard. The example shown in Figure 1 is particularly useful for this application.

Claims

1. A yieldable plastics seating for screw fixings, the seating comprising a tubular sleeve with, at one end, a head of diameter greater than that of the sleeve, the face of the head remote from the sleeve being formed with a recess to accomodate the head of a countersunk screw, and with a passage for a screw passing centrally through the head and sleeve.

2. A seating according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the recess is greater than that of the sleeve.

3. A seating according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the head is substantially discoid.

4. A seating according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the head is frustoconical.

5. A seating according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an integral cap is provided attached to the head for covering the recess when containing the head of a screw.

6. A plastics seating substantially as described with reference to any one of Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.