Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
216051~
BOLT CAPS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a combined bolt cap, nut and
washer for use with toilet fixtures.
5 BACKGROUND
The T-head bolts that are used to mount toilet fixtures are
generally of a single length and are thus usually longer than necessary. In
the finished installation, a nut on each of these bolts secures in place a cap
washer and an elongate flat washer. After installation of these components,
10 the bolt is cut off so that an ornamental cap can be snapped into place onto
the cap washer. There are a number of disadvantages to this arrangement.
It is necessary to install four parts, the nut, two washers and the ornamental
cap. Cutting off the bolts adjacent the toilet fixture is an awkward task,
difficult to perform without sufficiently damaging the threads that the nut is
15 not easily removed when necessary. The nut may be subject to corrosion in
which case it is difficult to remove in any event.
The ornamental caps are in many cases easily knocked off and
may be lost.
The present invention proposes an alternative solution to this
20 problem.
SUMMARY
According to the present invention there is provided a
combined bolt cap, nut and washer for a toilet fixture mounting bolt,
comprising an elongate body with a bottom end for engaging the fixture
25 around the mounting bolt, a blind bore into the bottom end of the body, and
threading in the bore for engagement with the mounting bolt.
This unit serves as the cap washer, flat washer, nut and cap in
(- 216051~
one. The end of the body will bear on the fixture to hold it in place on the
bolt. The outer surface may be finished to match or, if desired, contrast
with the fixture, and the bore may be long enough to cover the uncut bolt.
The bore may be arranged eccentrically in a cylindrical body,
S which assists in installation or removal by allowing the application of a
greater manual torque on the body. The caps are easily installed by hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is an exploded view of a prior art bolt, nut, washer and
cap assembly;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of a combined bolt cap, nut and
washer according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a cross-section along line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present
invention; and
Figure 5 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illusl,ales a
prior art toilet fixture mounting arrangement that includes a T-head bolt 10,
a cap washer 12 that fits onto the bolt on the surface of the toilet fixture,
an oblong flat washer 14 that rests on the cap washer 12 and a nut 16 that
fastens the flat washer and cap washer in place on the toilet fixture. The
assembly also includes a bolt cap 18. This is a hollow plastic dome that is
positioned over the end of the bolt 10 when it is cut off and snaps onto the
cap washer 12 to provide an ornamental, finished appearance.
~ 2160514
- 3 -
Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4 there is illustrated a combined
cap, nut and washer 20. The combined unit includes a body 22 with a
cylindrical side wall 24 and a domed top end 26. The bottom end 28 has a
slightly concave shape. A bore 30 extends into the body from the bottom
S end. The bore has threads 32 and is sufficiently long to receive the full,
uncut length of the bolt 10. As illuslrated in Figure 4, the bore 30 is
concentric with the cylindrical side wall 24.
The combined cap, nut and washer is made from a corrosion
resistant material, for example a suitable plastic material and is therefore
10 reusable.
In an alternative embodiment illusl,aled in Figure 5, the outer
diameter of the combined cap, nut and washer 34 is slightly larger than that
of the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3. The threaded bore 36 is eccentric
with respect to the side wall 38. This provides the ability to apply a greater
15 manual torque to the unit during installation or removal. In this
embodiment, the concave bottom face 40 is surrounded by a narrow, flat
rim 42 that engages the fixture.
For installation, the combined cap, nut and washer is threaded
directly onto the bolt, without the intermediary of a cap washer 12 or flat
20 washer 14. The ornamental external appearance of the unit serves to
replace the bolt cap 18 of the prior art. Installation of the illustrated
embodiments is manual. In other embodiments, wrench flats or other tool-
engaging formations can be provided if this is deemed necessary. In
addition, moulded plastics embodiments may, for moulding purposes, have
25 internal cavities in the body. This also reduces the amount of material used.While certain embodiments of the present invention have been
described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments
216051~
- 4 -
are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be
considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
