The present invention relates to an adjustable fastening device for connecting two bodies a given distance apart, e.g. for fastening accessories to a flush tank.

Numerous fastening devices are known for connecting two bodies a given distance apart, and which normally comprise two parts movable with respect to each other and having respective connecting means for connection to the bodies, and adjusting means for adjusting the distance between the connecting portions, as the device described in document DE-A-2 751 715.

Known devices normally only provide for one way of adjusting the distance between the connecting portions, which may or may not be suitable, depending on the application involved, and which is rarely versatile enough to be used in different situations.

In the case of lavatory plumbing installations, for example, fastening devices are required for positioning the flush plate of a flush tank with respect to the tank itself; which position, in the case of a walled-in tank, depends on the thickness of the wall, which may vary considerably from one application to another.

In such cases, fastening devices are used, for example, in which the distance between the connecting portions is adjusted continuously by means of a threaded member. While accurately adjusting the distance between the connecting portions, devices of this sort only provide for fine adjustment, which therefore normally takes a fairly long time. The device disclosed in DE-A-2751715 does not solve this problem; the device comprises a first and a second elements slidable with respect to each other along a sliding direction, and a third element which can be locked to the second element after alignment of respective seats, the third element providing for a regulation in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.

Considerable advantage, on the other hand, would be gained from an adjustable fastening device enabling fast, straightforward adjustment of the distance between the bodies to be connected, e.g. a first overall, albeit rough, adjustment followed by a second fine adjustment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable fastening device enabling fast, straightforward adjustment of the distance between the bodies to be connected, and which, in particular, is cheap and easy to produce, and provides for two ways of adjusting said distance : a first adjustment for roughly positioning the bodies to be connected, and a second fine adjustment.

According to the present invention, there is provided an adjustable fastening device for connecting two bodies a given distance apart, as claimed in claim 1.

The device according to the invention therefore provides for extremely fast, straightforward adjustment of the distance between the connecting portions (and therefore between the bodies to be connected) by providing for two adjustments on two different scales : a first adjustment to roughly position the connecting portions; and a second fine adjustment of the distance between the portions; both adjustments being made rapidly and easily, and the device also being cheap and easy to produce.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a fastening device in accordance with the invention and as assembled;
• Figures 2 and 3 respectively show a longitudinal section and a cross section of a first component of the Figure 1 fastening device.
• Figures 4 and 5 respectively show a front view and a side view of a second component of the Figure 1 fastening device;
• Figures 6 and 7 respectively show a longitudinal view and a plan view of a further component of the Figure 1 fastening device;
• Figures 8 and 9 respectively show a longitudinal view and a cross section of a further component of the Figure 1 device.

Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole an adjustable fastening device for connecting two bodies (not shown) of any shape and function. For example, device 1 may be used to advantage to connect a flush plate of a flush tank to the tank itself.

Device 1 according to the invention comprises three elements 2, 3, 4, each movable with respect to the others in a given direction. In particular, device 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical rod 2; a hollow sleeve 3; and a supporting element 4.

Device 1 also comprises first adjusting means 5 for adjusting the position of rod 2 with respect to sleeve 3; and second adjusting means 6 for adjusting the position of sleeve 3 with respect to supporting element 4, as described in detail later on.

More specifically, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, supporting element 4, which may be of numerous different shapes, comprises connecting means 7 for connection to one of the bodies to be connected by device 1; and a substantially cylindrical seat 8 through which to insert sleeve 3. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, supporting element 4 comprises a cylindrical portion 9, an inner lateral wall 10 of which defines seat 8 for sleeve 3; and a connecting portion 11 projecting radially from an outer lateral surface 12 of cylindrical portion 9, and in turn comprising, for example, a hole 7 for insertion of a fastening screw defining said connecting means for connection to the body to be connected.

An inner lateral surface 13 of seat 8 comprises three axial guides 15, 16, 17 extending the whole length of seat 8 : a first axial guide 15, of given depth, is located diametrically opposite connecting portion 11; a second axial guide 16, of the same depth as first axial guide 15, is located at 90° with respect to first axial guide 15; and a third axial guide 17, deeper than the first and second axial guides, is located diametrically opposite second axial guide 16.

A circumferential track 18 is formed on the outer lateral surface 12 of cylindrical portion 9, and is defined, in the example shown, by a reduction in the thickness of lateral wall 10 of cylindrical portion 9. Connecting portion 11 is connected rigidly to cylindrical portion 9 by means of a bracket 19, the arms 20, 21 of which are connected to outer lateral surface 12 of cylindrical portion 9 on either side of track 18, so that, between bracket 19 and lateral wall 10 of cylindrical portion 9, a gap 22 of given radial size is formed at track 18 to ensure circumferential continuity of track 18.

With reference also to Figures 4 and 5, a fastening ring 23 is inserted inside track 18 so as to rotate in a circumferential direction. Fastening ring 23 is an open ring, comprises a radial opening extending along a given arc of less than 180°, and is slightly deformable radially to enable fitment, inside track 18, about cylindrical portion 9 of supporting element 4.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, fastening ring 23 comprises two facing circumferential ends 25, 26 defining radial opening 24. One circumferential end 25 has a bevel 27 at a predetermined angle with respect to an outer lateral surface 28 of fastening ring 23; and, at a given distance from circumferential end 25, outer lateral surface 28 of fastening ring 23 has a circumferential shoulder 29 defined, in the example shown, by a radial step extending radially outwards from outer lateral surface 28. An end portion 31 of fastening ring 23, extending between circumferential end 25 and circumferential shoulder 29, is of such a radial thickness as to be insertable inside gap 22; whereas circumferential shoulder 29 is so sized as not to be insertable inside gap 22, and therefore, as shown later on, limits rotation of fastening ring 23 inside track 18, which rotation is arrested by shoulder 29 contacting a stop portion of supporting element 4, defined, in the example shown, by bracket 19.

At circumferential end 26 opposite beveled circumferential end 25, fastening ring 23 comprises a further end portion 32 of a smaller radial thickness than the rest of fastening ring 23, and of a width (i.e. axial extension) smaller than the width of the rest of fastening ring 23, so as to define a circumferential shoulder 33. End portion 32 is defined axially by a first side 34 perpendicular to outer lateral surface 28 of fastening ring 23, and by a second side 35 sloping at a given angle a with respect to first side 34.

Close to circumferential shoulder 33, fastening ring 23 comprises a control lever 36 projecting radially outwards from outer lateral surface 28, and by which to grip fastening ring 23 easily.

With reference in particular to Figures 1, 6 and 7, sleeve 3 is hollow with a substantially cylindrical inner seat 37, and comprises, at one axial end 38, a pair of diametrically opposite pins 39 projecting radially inwards from an inner lateral surface 40 of seat 37.

Sleeve 3 also comprises three longitudinal projections 45, 46, 47, which project radially from an outer lateral surface 41 of sleeve 3, extend axially along the whole length of sleeve 3, and are so located as to respectively engage axial guides 15, 16, 17 of supporting element 4. As such, projections 46, 47 are located diametrically opposite each other on outer lateral surface 41 of sleeve 3, and projection 45 is located between and at 90° with respect to projections 46, 47.

Projection 47, diametrically opposite projection 46, comprises, on a radial end edge 48, a number of equally spaced teeth 50 extending radially outwards as an extension of projection 47, and separated by respective gaps 51. Each of teeth 50 is defined longitudinally by a first side 52 perpendicular to edge 48 of projection 47, and by a second side 53 sloping, with respect to the perpendicular to edge 48, by a given angle substantially equal to angle α of sloping side 35 of fastening ring 23, so that end portion 32 of fastening ring 23 is insertable through the gaps 51 between teeth 50.

Projections 45 and 46, located 90° apart on sleeve 3, are of the same height and respectively engage axial guides 15 and 16 (which in turn are of the same depth, substantially equal to the height of projections 45, 46), whereas projection 47 with teeth 50 is of a total height (including teeth 50) greater than projections 45, 46, and engages axial guide 17 (which, as already stated, is deeper than guides 15, 16).

The arrangement and dimensions of axial guides 15, 16, 17 and projections 45, 46, 47 define the only direction in which sleeve 3 is insertable inside seat 8 of supporting element 4.

At axial end 38, sleeve 3 also comprises a foot 54 extending radially outwards from outer lateral surface 41, and which provides for limiting the travel (and preventing withdrawal) of sleeve 3 inside seat 8 of supporting element 4, and for gripping and positioning the sleeve easily.

Sleeve 3 is therefore inserted in axially sliding manner inside seat 8 of supporting element 4, but is locked angularly with respect to supporting element 4 by projections 45, 46, 47 engaging axial guides 15, 16, 17; and rod 2 in turn is inserted in axially sliding manner inside seat 37 of sleeve 3.

With reference in particular to Figures 1, 8 and 9, rod 2 is solid and comprises, on a lateral surface 55, a pair of diametrically opposite axial grooves 56 extending the whole length of rod 2. Respective numbers of blind circumferential grooves 57 extend transversely from axial grooves 56 and are equally spaced axially. Axial grooves 56 and blind circumferential grooves 57 are deep enough to enable pins 39 to be inserted and to slide inside; and each blind circumferential groove 57 has a bottom recess 58 into which pins 39 click.

At an axial end 59, rod 2 comprises a connecting portion 60, e.g. a hexagonal head, for connection to one of the bodies to be connected by device 1, and comprising, for the purpose, appropriate connecting means 61, e.g. a hole for a fastening screw. Head 60, which is larger crosswise than rod 2, also limits the travel of the rod inside seat 37 of sleeve 3, and provides for gripping rod 2 even when the rod is housed entirely inside seat 37.

When device 1 is assembled as shown in Figure 1, pins 39 of sleeve 3, and axial grooves 56, blind circumferential grooves 57 and respective bottom recesses 58 of rod 2 define said adjusting means 5 for adjusting the position of rod 2 with respect to sleeve 3, and provide for positioning and locking rod 2 and sleeve 3 in a first relative work position 65. In particular, pins 39 can slide longitudinally along axial grooves 56 of rod 2 to adjust the position of rod 2 with respect to sleeve 3, and can also be rotated circumferentially to slide transversely along blind circumferential grooves 57 of rod 2 and click positively inside bottom recesses 58 to lock rod 2 and sleeve 3 in relative work position 65, which may be selected from a number of positions permitted by adjusting means 5 and each corresponding to a possible connection of pins 39 and bottom recesses 58 of blind circumferential grooves 57.

Likewise, axial guides 15, 16, 17 of supporting element 4, corresponding projections 45, 46, 47 of sleeve 3, and fastening ring 23 slidable inside track 18 define adjusting means 6 for adjusting the position of sleeve 3 with respect to supporting element 4, and which are distinct and independent of adjusting means 5, and provide for positioning and locking sleeve 3 and supporting element 4 in a second relative work position 66. In particular, projections 45, 46, 47 of sleeve 3 can slide longitudinally along axial guides 15, 16, 17 of supporting element 4 to adjust the position of sleeve 3 with respect to supporting element 4, and fastening ring 23 may be rotated circumferentially to positively engage projection 47 and lock sleeve 3 and supporting element 4 in relative work position 66, which may be selected from a number of positions permitted by adjusting means 6 and each corresponding to a possible connection of fastening ring 23 and the gaps 51 defined between teeth 50 of projection 47.

Device 1 according to the invention therefore provides for adjusting the relative position of connecting portions 60 and 11 - respectively integral with rod 2 and supporting element 4, and having respective connecting means 61 and 7 for connection to the bodies to be connected - in two distinct, independent ways by acting on adjusting means 5 and 6 respectively.

In actual use, supporting element 4, with fastening ring 23 inserted in track 18, is first connected, e.g. by means of a screw inserted in hole 7, to one of the bodies to be connected, e.g. a flush tank.

As stated, fastening ring 23 rotates circumferentially inside track 18, but only between two limit positions. In particular, in a first limit position, fastening ring 23 is set to an open position in which first end portion 31 engages gap 22 on supporting element 4, and circumferential shoulder 29, which is thicker than gap 22, rests against bracket 19. In this position, fastening ring 23 does not interfere axially with axial guides 15, 16, 17, and in particular leaves axial guide 17 clear to freely receive projection 47, so that sleeve 3 may slide fully inside seat 8 of supporting element 4.

Conversely, in a second limit position opposite to the first and illustrated in Figure 1, fastening ring 23 is set to a closed position in which end portion 32 engages one of gaps 51 - indicated 51a in Figure 1 - between teeth 50 on projection 47, and circumferential shoulder 33 rests circumferentially against one of teeth 50 - indicated 50a in Figure 1 - adjacent to gap 51a. In this position, fastening ring 23 axially closes axial guide 17, and sides 34, 35 of end portion 32 respectively contact sides 52, 53 defining gap 51a, thus preventing projection 47 from sliding in respective guide 17, and so locking the whole of sleeve 3 with respect to supporting element 4 in the first relative work position 65 (Figure 1).

The work position 65 of sleeve 3 with respect to supporting element 4 may be adjusted by moving fastening ring 23 into the open position by means of control lever 36; sliding sleeve 3 inside seat 8 into a new position with respect to supporting element 4; and restoring fastening ring 23 to the closed position (at the same time making sure end portion 32 of fastening ring 23 engages one of gaps 51 on projection 47) to firmly lock sleeve 3 in the new position with respect to supporting element 4 : that is, when rotated circumferentially, fastening ring 23 positively engages projection 47 of sleeve 3 to again lock sleeve 3 with respect to supporting element 4.

The position of sleeve 3 with respect to rod 2 inserted inside the sleeve, on the other hand, is adjusted by sliding rod 2 inside seat 37 of sleeve 3. This is permitted when pins 39 of sleeve 3 engage and are permitted to slide freely along axial grooves 56 of rod 2, and is prevented by rotating rod 2 circumferentially so that pins 39 first slide along blind circumferential grooves 57 of rod 2, and eventually click inside bottom recesses 58 of the same blind circumferential grooves 57, thus locking rod 2 and sleeve 3 in the second relative work position 66.

At this point, a second body, e.g. a flush plate of the flush tank, may be connected to connecting portion 60, e.g. by means of a screw inserted in hole 61, to connect the two bodies, e.g. the flush tank and flush plate, a given distance apart.

Device 1 according to the invention therefore provides for setting connecting portions 11 and 60 - respectively integral with supporting element 4 and rod 2, and having respective connecting means 7 and 61 for connection to the bodies to be connected - a given distance apart via a double adjustment by means of adjusting means 5 and 6. Adjusting means 6 for adjusting the position of sleeve 3 with respect to supporting element 4 provide for an overall adjustment of the distance between connecting portions 11 and 60, while adjusting means 5 for adjusting sleeve 3 and rod 2 provide for a fine adjustment of said distance; for which purpose, gaps 51 between teeth 50 of projection 47 will be greater than the longitudinal distance between blind circumferential grooves 57 of rod 2.