GB2593918A

GB2593918A - Width-Adjustable Wall Bracket for Wash Basin

Info

Publication number: GB2593918A
Application number: GB2005266.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bellando Maurice
Original assignee: DLP Ltd
Current assignee: DLP Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-09
Filing date: 2020-04-09
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-09
Also published as: GB2593918A8; GB202005266D0; GB2593918B

Abstract

The wash basin wall bracket 10 comprises a first bracket portion 22a having a wall- mounting surface 20a and a basin-mounting surface 24a. The basin-mounting surface 24a including a first basin locator 26a. A second bracket portion 22b also has a wall mounting surface 20b and a basin-mounting surface 24b, the basin-mounting surface 24b including a second basin locator 26b. The first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b respectively have first and second interface members 28a, 28b which are matingly interengagable along an interface axis IA to permit selective adjustment of a distance between the first and second basin locators 26a, 26b. Also claimed is a method of mounting a wash basin to a wall using the bracket. The bracket is split into separable two parts.

Description

Width-Adjustable Wall Bracket for Wash Basin The present invention relates to a width-adjustable wall bracket for a wash basin, preferably but not necessarily for a purely wall-mounted wash basin. The invention further relates to a method of mounting such a wash basin to a wall.

Many wash basins for bathrooms or lavatories are freestanding, either mounted to a pedestal or to a vanity unit. However, some wash basins are mounted directly to a wall via one or more mounting brackets.

There are different forms of mounting bracket available. A pair of brackets can be provided, which can be used with any width of wash basin. The width of the mounting points of the wash basin is measured, and the brackets attached to the wall at the correct spacing to allow the wash basin to be correctly installed. However, misalignment of the brackets relative to one another can lead to unevenness of the wash basin once installed, which makes the installation process somewhat complicated for the installer.

On the other hand, unitary mounting brackets can be provided, which ensures the correct relative positioning of the mounts for the mounting points of the wash basin, making level installation more straightforward. However, a unitary bracket can only be used with a wash basin of a specific size, and therefore different brackets must be created for different sizes of wash basin.

The present invention seeks to provide a product which is able to obviate the above-20 referenced problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a width-adjustable wall bracket for a wash basin, the wall bracket comprising: a first bracket portion having a wall-mounting surface and a basin-mounting surface, the basin-mounting surface including a first basin locator; and a second bracket portion having a wall-mounting surface and a basin-mounting surface, the basin-mounting surface including a second basin locator; the first and second bracket portions respectively having first and second interface members which are matingly interengagable along an interface axis to permit selective adjustment of a distance between the first and second basin locators.

The benefits of a unitary wall bracket can largely be provided using the present invention. 30 By allowing the relative positioning of the two bracket portions relative to one another, using an interface region which allows for axial separation of the two bracket portions, width adjustment can be readily achieved. In doing so, a single modular bracket can be provided which can be adjusted to the width of the wash basin to be installed without losing the relative height position of the mounting locators to one another. This allows the level of the wash basin to be maintained.

Optionally, the first and second bracket portions may be formed as left and right bracket portions.

Having a vertical split between the first and second bracket portions may advantageously simplify the width-adjustment process.

Preferably, the first and second basin locators may be formed as elongate support elements extending from the respective basin-mounting surfaces.

Pre-prepared rods extending from the basin-mounting surfaces of the bracket portions allow for quick-fit installation of a washbasin directly onto the wall bracket, and may improve the rigidity of the assembly.

As an alternative, the first and second basin locators may be formed as receivers for basin fasteners.

Providing a more modular construction of the engagement between the wall bracket and the wash basin may improve packing compactness, reducing transportation costs.

At least one of the first and second interface members may be rectilinear or substantially rectilinear. Preferably, the first interface member may be formed as a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear projection along the interface axis. Optionally, the second interface member may be formed as a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear receiver in the interface axis into which the rectilinear or substantially rectilinear projection is receivable.

A rectilinear or substantially rectilinear projection along the interface axis is highly suited towards slidable engagement between the first and second bracket portions, providing a high degree of installation tolerance for the installer of the wash basin. This may be useful for accommodating minor manufacturing defects in either the wall bracket or wash basin.

The first and second bracket portions may each include a plurality of pre-defined 30 apertures for receiving fasteners for mounting the wall bracket to a wall.

Apertures for mounting the bracket to the wall further assist with installation, and help to create a secure mounting foundation to the wall.

Preferably, at least one of the first and second interface members may include an indicator portion for indicating the in-use distance between the first and second basin 5 locators.

An indicator portion will allow the user to set the size of the wall bracket without needing to continuously refer back to the wash basin, if, for instance, the first and second bracket portions dislocate during installation.

Optionally, each of the first and second bracket portions may include a mounting plate 10 adjacent to the respective first or second interface element.

A mounting plate provides a secure wall anchor which can be dimensioned to a standard height of a wash basin, ensuring a reliable fixing.

In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate may have a greater height than the first or second interface element.

By having a central portion with a reduced depth, there is provided sufficient space underneath the wash basin for wall-mounted pipework, in particular water and waste pipes.

Preferably, the first and second interface portions may be shape-matingly engagable with one another in an in-use condition to form an uninterrupted and/or contiguous 20 interface region.

A compact condition can be provided in which the two bracket portions slot together like a jigsaw puzzle. This provides a suitable configuration for narrow wash basins.

Optionally, the first and second interface portions may be engagable with one another in at least one further in-use condition to form an interrupted interface region.

Width-adjustment for larger basins can be achieved by leaving voids in the interface region. The engagement between the first and second interface members does not, however, result in any loss of alignment between the first and second bracket portions.

The first and second interface portions may be slidably engagable with one another.

Slidable engagement provides an excellent means of providing width-adjustment, which can be easily used by installers.

The width-adjustable wall bracket may be provided in the form of a kit of parts.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting a 5 wash basin to a wall, the method comprising the steps of: a] selecting a wash basin to be mounted, the wash basin having two mounting points having a defined separation; b] providing a width-adjustable wall bracket in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; c] engaging the first and second bracket portions of the width-adjustable wall bracket to one another such that the distance between the first and second basin locators 10 is equal to the separation between the mounting points of the wash basin; d] mounting the width-adjustable wall bracket to the wall; and e] mounting the wash basin to the width-adjustable wall bracket.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of a width-adjustable wall bracket in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of a wash basin mounted to a wall using the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 1; Figure 3A shows an isometric view of the first bracket portion of the width-20 adjustable wall bracket of Figure 1; Figure 3B shows a front view of the first bracket portion of Figure 3A; Figure 4A shows an isometric view of the second bracket portion of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 1; Figure 4B shows a front view of the second bracket portion of Figure 4A; Figure 5A shows an isometric view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 1 in a first in-use condition; Figure 5B shows a front view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 5A; Figure 5C shows a side view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 5A; Figure 6A shows an isometric view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 1 in a second in-use condition; Figure 6B shows a front view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 6A; Figure 60 shows a side view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 6A; Figure 7A shows an isometric view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 1 in a third in-use condition; Figure 7B shows a front view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 7A; and Figure 70 shows a side view of the width-adjustable wall bracket of Figure 7A.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a width-adjustable wall bracket, referenced globally at 10, which is suitable for mounting a wide range of different wash basins to a wall, thereby obviating the need to provide a specific bracket for each size of wash basin.

The wall bracket 10 has a shape which closely mirrors that of the wall-facing surface of a wash basin 12, as can be seen from Figure 2, having side portions 14a, 14b which are dimensioned to have a standard depth associated with wash basins 12, as well as a central portion 16 which has a reduced depth. The central portion 16 allows space for the pipework to the wash basin 12 to be installed through the wall 18 underneath the wall bracket 10. This allows for the wash basin 12 to adopt a floating appearance, avoiding the need for a pedestal thereunder.

In order to neatly engage with a wall 18, a wall-mounting surface 20 of the wall bracket 10 is planar, or substantially so, thereby allowing flush engagement with the wall 18 once fastened via one or more fasteners, adhesives, or similar mounting mechanisms.

The wall bracket 10 has two components: a first bracket portion 22a which is indicated in detail in Figures 3A and 33, and a second bracket portion 22b which is indicated in 25 Figures 4A and 4B. The first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b are matingly interengagable along an interface axis IA.

The first bracket portion 22a comprises a wall-mounting surface 20a and a basin-mounting surface 24a, with a first basin locator 26a being provided on or at the basin-mounting surface 24a. In the embodiment depicted in Figures 3A and 3B, the first basin locator 26a is formed as an elongate support element, such as a rod, which may be threaded to allow a coupling nut to be engaged therewith. However, alternative basin locators could be considered. For example, the first basin locator could be provided as a receiver, such as an aperture, for receiving a basin fastener such as a bolt. The first basin locator 26a therefore acts primarily as a positioning member to align to a first mounting point of the wash basin 12, such as a bolt hole.

To engage with the second bracket portion 22b, the first bracket portion 22a includes a first interface member 28a which is configured to engage with the second bracket portion 22b.

In the depicted embodiment, the first interface member 28a is provided as a rectilinear projection 44 extending along the interface axis IA from a left-hand mounting plate 30a, the first basin locator 26a being fixed to the mounting plate 30a. The first interface member 28a and mounting plate 30a lie in a plane with one another, which in use is parallel to the wall 18 to which the wall bracket 10 is to be mounted. The elongate support element of the first basin locator 26a then extends in a direction normal to the plane of the mounting plate 30a.

The first interface member 28a extends from the left-hand mounting plate 30a so as to define at least one, and here two, stops 32 adjacent to the first interface member 28a. The first interface member 28a preferably extends perpendicularly from the stops 32.

The mounting plate 30a and/or the first interface member 28a may include one or more fastener receivers 34, such as apertures for receiving wall-fixings. A plurality of said fastener receivers 34 can be useful, since this may allow some of the receivers to remain redundant where wall-fixings cannot be feasibly engaged.

The first interface portion 28a may include an indicator and/or indicator portion 36a which 25 allows for visual identification of the relative position of the installed first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b.

The second bracket portion 22b comprises a wall-mounting surface 20b and a basin-mounting surface 24b, with a second basin locator 26b being provided on or at the basin-mounting surface 24b. In the embodiment depicted in Figures 4A and 4B, the first basin locator 26a is formed as an elongate support element, such as a rod, which may be threaded to allow a coupling nut to be engaged therewith. However, alternative basin locators could be considered. For example, the first basin locator could be provided as a receiver, such as an aperture, for receiving a basin fastener such as a bolt. The second basin locator 26b therefore acts primarily as a positioning member to align to a second mounting point of the wash basin 12, such as a bolt hole. Typically, the mounting points of the wash basin 12 will be horizontally aligned to one another, and therefore the interface axis IA of the wall bracket 10 would be aligned to the mounting points. The first and second basin locators 26a, 26b are also positioned on the interface axis IA.

To engage with the first bracket portion 22a, the second bracket portion 22b includes a second interface member 28b which is configured to engage with the first bracket portion 10 22a.

In the depicted embodiment, the second interface member 28b is provided as a rectilinear and planar receiver extending along the interface axis IA into a right-hand mounting plate 30b, the second basin locator 26b being fixed to the mounting plate 30b. Alternatively, the second interface member 28b could be considered to be the two projecting portions 36 of the second bracket portion 22b which together form the planar receiver or recess.

The projecting portions 36 and mounting plate 30b lie collectively in a plane with one another, which in use is parallel to the wall 18 to which the wall bracket 10 is to be mounted. The elongate support element of the second basin locator 26b then extends in 20 a direction normal to the plane of the mounting plate 30b.

The ends 38 of the projecting portions 36 of the second bracket portion 22b in use abuttably engage with the stops 32 adjacent to the first interface member 28a of the first bracket portion 22a, with a tip 40 of the first interface member 28a complementarily abuttably engaging the inner edge 42 of the receiver of the second interface member 28b.

The mounting plate 30b and/or the projecting portions 36 may include one or more fastener receivers 34, such as apertures for receiving wall-fixings. A plurality of said fastener receivers 34 can be useful, since this may allow some of the receivers to remain redundant where wall-fixings cannot be feasibly engaged.

The second interface portion 28b may include an indicator and/or indicator portion 34b, here positioned on one of the projecting portions 36, which allows for visual identification of the relative position of the installed first and second bracket portions 26a, 26b. The indicator portion 34b is here formed as an indexed rule, indicating the separation between the first and second bracket locators 26a, 26b based on the position of the indicator portion 36a of the first bracket portion 22a.

The engagement between the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b is shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C, in a first in-use condition.

Here, the wall bracket 10 is provided in a most compact condition, in which the first and second bracket locators 26a, 26b are separated from one another by 200mm. This would be suitable for some smaller wash basins. This can be seen by the respective alignment 10 of the indicator portions 34a, 34b of the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b.

The first and second interface members 28a, 28b are engaged with one another, with the rectilinear projection 44 of the first interface member 28a being inserted into the planar receiver of the second interface member 28b, such that an uninterrupted or contiguous interface region is formed in the central portion 16 of the wall bracket 10. In other words, the ends 38 of the projecting portions 36 of the second bracket portion 22b abuttably engage with the stops 32 of the first bracket portion 22a, and the tip 40 of the rectilinear projection 44 of the first interface member 28a abuttably engages the inner edge 42 of the receiver of the second interface member 28b. The first and second interface members 28a, 28b engage together with a complete jigsaw or shape-mating fit, so that no voids are present in the interface region.

The fit between the first and second interface members 28a, 28b ensures that there is a well-defined horizontal relationship between the first and second basin locators 26a, 26b, since the rectilinear projection 44 is held captive within the plane of the wall bracket 10 by the second interface member 28b. The abutment between the projecting portions 36 of the second interface member 28b and the rectilinear projection 44 maintains the relative alignment of the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b along the interface axis IA.

To install the wall bracket 10, a user can select a position of the wall bracket 10 on a wall, at the correct height for the wash basin 12, and determine the level to ensure that the interface axis IA is horizontal. Using the fastener receivers 34, the wall-fixings can be installed in the correct positions, and the wall bracket 10 mounted to the wall 18. The wash basin 12 can then be mounted to the first and second basin locators 26a, 26b.

If the wash basin 12 is not suitable for installation in the first in-use condition, a further in-use condition could be considered, such as that shown in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C. Here, the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b have been slid out of alignment with one another, such that the interface region in the central portion 16 of the wall bracket 10 is interrupted. In other words, there are voids in between the ends 38 of the projecting portions 36 of the second bracket portion 22b and the stops 32 of the first bracket portion 22a, and between the tip 40 of the rectilinear projection 44 of the first interface member 28a and the inner edge 42 of the receiver of the second interface member 28b.

In the depicted arrangement, the indicator portions 34a, 34b show that the distance 10 between the first and second bracket locators 26a, 26b is 240mm, suitable for mounting a medium-sized wash basin.

Despite the presence of the voids, there remains an interface between the rectilinear projection 44 of the first interface member 28a and the projecting portions 36 of the second bracket portion 22b. As such, abuttable engagement remains, and the alignment of the interface axis IA remains unchanged. In other words, only the width between the first and second bracket locators 26a, 26b changes, and no skew is applied in the relative orientations of the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b.

If the wash basin 12 is not suitable for installation in the further in-use condition, another further in-use condition could be considered, such as that shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 70. Here, the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b have been even further slid out of alignment with one another, such that the interface region in the central portion 16 of the wall bracket 10 is interrupted, and voids are increased in size in between the ends 38 of the projecting portions 36 of the second bracket portion 22b and the stops 32 of the first bracket portion 22a, and between the tip 40 of the rectilinear projection 44 of the first interface member 28a and the inner edge 42 of the receiver of the second interface member 28b.

In the further depicted arrangement, the indicator portions 34a, 34b show that the distance between the first and second bracket locators 26a, 26b is 280mm, suitable for mounting a large-sized wash basin.

Again, there remains an interface between the rectilinear projection 44 of the first interface member 28a and the projecting portions 36 of the second bracket portion 22b. As such, abuttable engagement remains, and the alignment of the interface axis IA remains unchanged. In other words, only the width between the first and second bracket locators 26a, 26b changes, and no skew is applied in the relative orientations of the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b. Further sliding of the first and second bracket portions 22a, 22b may, however, lead to disengagement of the first and second interface members 28a, 28b, and therefore the dimensions of the first and second interface members 28a, 28b should be carefully chosen to accommodate the desired range of width-adjustment for the wall bracket 10 Whilst the depicted embodiment is shown having a single projecting portion from the first bracket portion, it will be apparent that a plurality of interengaging complementary finger 10 portions could be provided on each of the first and second bracket portions, in parallel with one another so as to remain slidably engagable with one another.

The indicator portions of the wall bracket are illustrated as an indexed rule on the second bracket portion, and a single indicator on the first bracket portion. It will be apparent that this arrangement is merely presentational, and a reversal of the indicator portions is completely possible. Indeed, alternative indicator portions for identifying width can be presented without further inventive input.

Furthermore, whilst a rectilinear projection is preferred for the sliding of the first bracket portion into a rectilinear receiver on the second bracket portion, it will be apparent that the top of the rectilinear projection need not be flat. The longitudinal sides are the important feature to allow slidable engagement, and therefore the first interface member may only have a substantially rectilinear projection, and by extension, the second interface member may only have a substantially rectilinear receiver.

It may be possible to provide a non-sliding version of the interface members. For example, positionally indexed interface members could be provided, having lockable portions, to allow for discrete distances between the first and second bracket locators to be pre-defined. For example, jigsaw-like tabs could be provided extending laterally from the rectilinear projection of the first interface portion, which engage with complementary receivers on the second interface portion, or vice versa.

It is therefore possible to provide a width-adjustable wall bracket which can be modified 30 to accommodate different widths of wash basin without any loss of horizontal or level alignment. This greatly simplifies the installation process for different wash basins, negating the need to provide bespoke brackets for each size of basin.

Although the wall bracket is herebefore described as being suitable for floating-type wash basins, there is nothing preventing the wall bracket from being used with pedestal-type wash basins, to allow for securing against a wall.

The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein 5 with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from 15 the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

Claims A width-adjustable wall bracket for a wash basin, the wall bracket comprising: a first bracket portion having a wall-mounting surface and a basin-mounting surface, the basin-mounting surface including a first basin locator; and a second bracket portion having a wall-mounting surface and a basin-mounting surface, the basin-mounting surface including a second basin locator; the first and second bracket portions respectively having first and second interface members which are matingly interengagable along an interface axis to permit selective adjustment of a distance between the first and second basin locators.
2. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second bracket portions are formed as left and right bracket portions.
3. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second basin locators are formed as elongate support elements extending from the respective basin-mounting surfaces.
4. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second basin locators are formed as receivers for basin fasteners.
5. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second interface members is rectilinear or substantially rectilinear.
6. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first interface member is formed as a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear projection along the interface axis.
7. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second interface member is formed as a rectilinear or substantially rectilinear receiver in the interface axis into which the rectilinear or substantially rectilinear projection is receivable.
8. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second bracket portions each include a plurality of pre-defined apertures for receiving fasteners for mounting the wall bracket to a wall.
9. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second interface members includes an indicator portion for indicating the in-use distance between the first and second basin locators.
10. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first and second bracket portions includes a mounting plate adjacent to the respective first or second interface element.
11. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mounting plate has a greater height than the first or second interface element.
12. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second interface portions are shape-matingly engagable with one another in an in-use condition to form an uninterrupted and/or contiguous interface region.
13. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second interface portions are engagable with one another in at least one further in-use condition to form an interrupted interface region.
14. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 25 wherein the first and second interface portions are slidably engagable with one another.
15. A width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in the form of a kit of parts
16. A method of mounting a wash basin to a wall, the method comprising the steps of: a] selecting a wash basin to be mounted, the wash basin having two mounting points having a defined separation; b] providing a width-adjustable wall bracket as claimed in any one of the 35 preceding claims; cl engaging the first and second bracket portions of the width-adjustable wall bracket to one another such that the distance between the first and second basin locators is equal to the separation between the mounting points of the wash basin; d] mounting the width-adjustable wall bracket to the wall; and el mounting the wash basin to the width-adjustable wall bracket.