CROSS -REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is an International Application that claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/372,831 , filed on 10 August 2016. The application also claims priority to U.S. Utility Application 15/672,835, filed on August 9, 2017. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

[0002] The present teachings generally concern toilets. More particularly, the present teachings concern a seat assembly for a toilet including a mounting unit for securing the seat assembly to a toilet base.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various arrangements are known for attaching a toilet seat the base of a toilet. Removal often requires various tools and discrete parts that may become lost or otherwise misplaced. Furthermore, removal and reattachment of a toilet seat typically requires the operator to access the bottom of bolts that pass through holes in a back flange of the toilet bowl. Such access is frequently awkward if not impossible given the limited working space available in most bathrooms. As a result, replacement of toilet seats is time consuming and removal of traditional seats for thorough cleaning is generally disregarded.

[0004] To a much more limited extent, quick release arrangements for securing a toilet seat to a bowl are known. An example of such a quick release arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent No. 8,327,471 . U.S. Patent No. 8,327,471 , hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, provides a mounting assembly for mounting a seat to a toilet having a base with a pair of mounting holes. The mounting assembly includes a base member and first and second members for insertion into first and second of the pairs of mounting holes, respectively. The first member is interconnected to the base member. The second member is interconnected to the base member and spaced apart from the first member by a distance. The distance between the first member and the second member is adjustable for creating a clamping force between the first and second members and the first and second mounting holes, respectively.

[0005] While known arrangements for attaching a toilet seat to the base of a toilet, including but not limited to arrangement shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 8,327,471 , may provide certain advantages, continuous improvement in the pertinent art remains desirable.

SUMMARY

[0006] It is one particular object of the present teachings to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a seat to a toilet having a base with a pair of mounting holes that functions to create a vertically directed clamping force between a base portion of the mounting assembly a base of the toilet.

[0007] It is another particular object of the present teachings to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a seat to a toilet having a base with a pair of mounting holes that functions to both create a vertically directed clamping force between a base portion of the mounting assembly a base of the toilet and a horizontally directed clamping force between two mounting members.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect, the present teachings provide a mounting assembly for mounting a seat to a toilet having a base with a pair of mounting holes includes a base member, a first member and a second member. The first member is for insertion into a first of the pair of mounting holes. The first member interconnected to the base member. The second member is for insertion into a second of the pair of mounting holes. The second member is interconnected to the base member and spaced apart from the first member by a horizontal distance. At least one of the first and second members is operative for clamping the mounting assembly to the toilet in a vertical direction.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect, the present teachings provide a mounting assembly for mounting a seat to a toilet. The toilet has a base with a pair of mounting holes. The mounting assembly includes a base member and a translatable member carried by the base member. The mounting assembly additionally further includes a first mounting member and a second mounting member. The first mounting member is non-translatably carried by the base member and includes a first upper end and a first lower end. The second mounting member is carried by the translatable member and includes a second upper end and a second lower end. The mounting assembly further includes a first clamp member, a second clamp member and a third clamp member. The first clamp member is pivotally coupled to the base member. The second clamp member is pivotally coupled to the base member. The third clamp member is attached to the translatable member. The first clamp member is rotatable from an unlatched position to a latched position to translate the translatable member toward the first clamp member. The first lower end of the first mounting member and the second lower end of the second mounting member are both adjustable in a horizontal direction to create a horizontally directed clamping force between the first and second members and the toilet.

[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect, the present teachings provide a method of mounting a seat to a toilet. The method includes clamping the mounting assembly to the toilet in a horizontal direction and adjusting a horizontal distance between a first member and the second member to thereby create a horizontally directed clamping force between the first and second members and the toilet.

[0011] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0012] The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description, the appended claims and the following drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 is a top view of a toilet seat assembly in accordance with the present teachings.

[0014] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the toilet seat assembly in accordance with the present teachings, a lid of the assembly shown articulated to a closed position, the toilet seat assembly shown operatively associated with a toilet. [0015] Figure 2B is an exploded perspective view of the toilet seat assembly in accordance with the present teachings and a conventional base, a lid of the assembly shown articulated to an open position.

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mounting assembly of the toilet seat assembly in accordance with the present teachings.

[0017] Figure 3A is an enlarged side perspective view of one of the mounting members of Figure 3.

[0018] Figure 4 is a front view of the mounting assembly according to the present teachings shown with a cover removed and a latching or clamping mechanism in a latched condition.

[0019] Figure 5 is another front view of the mounting assembly according to the present teachings shown with a cover removed and a latching or clamping mechanism in an unlatched condition.

[0020] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the mounting assembly according to the present teachings shown with a cover removed and a latching or clamping mechanism in a latched condition.

[0021] Figure 7 is another bottom view of the mounting assembly according to the present teachings shown with a cover removed and a latching or clamping mechanism in an unlatched condition.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

[0022] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. The description and any specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the present disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] With general reference to the drawings, a seat assembly for a toilet in accordance with the present teachings is illustrated and generally identified at reference character 10. The seat assembly 10 may generally include a seat 12 and a lid 14. The seat assembly 10 may further generally include a mounting unit or mounting assembly 16 for mounting the seat assembly 10 to a toilet. It will be understood that in certain applications (e.g., commercial uses), the seat assembly 10 may not include a lid 14.

[0024] As will become more apparent below, the mounting assembly 16 may be operative for attaching the seat 12 and the lid 14 to the toilet for pivotal movement about a pivot axis A (see Figure 2B). Except as may be otherwise described herein, it will be understood that the seat 12 and lid 14 are conventional in both construction and operation. In this regard, the mounting assembly 16 may be used with various other seats and lids within the scope of the present teachings.

[0025] The mounting assembly 16 may generally include a base or base portion 18. In one application, the base portion 18, also referred herein to a base member 18, may be constructed of plastic. It will be appreciated, however, that the base member 18 may be alternatively constructed of any other material having suitable strength and durability characteristics. The base portion 18 may include a first portion or lower portion 20. The first portion 20 may be generally oriented in a horizontal plane. The base portion 18 may additionally include a second portion or upwardly extending portion 22 that upwardly extends from the first portion 20. The second portion 22 may be integrally formed with the first portion 20 or may be a discrete portion suitably attached to and carried by the first portion 20.

[0026] The second portion 22 may define openings 24. The openings 24 may align with each other and with conventional openings provided in the seat 12 and the lid 14. These aligning openings 24 may receive pins 26 which cooperate to define the pivot axis A. Through this pivot pin interconnection, the seat 12 and lid 14 may be rotated about the pivot axis A. The lid 14 is shown in a closed or lowered position in Figure 2A, for example. The lid 14 is shown in a raised or open position in Figure 2B, for example. The seat 12 may similarly be articulated between lowered and raised positions.

[0027] The mounting assembly 16 may further include one or more mounting members 28. In the embodiment illustrated, the mounting assembly includes first and second mounting members 28A and 28B. As will become more apparent below, the mounting members 28A and 28B may be operative to clamp the mounting assembly 16 to the toilet 29 in a horizontal direction. The mounting assembly 16 may be further operative for adjusting a horizontal distance between the first member 28A and the second member 28B to thereby create a horizontally directed clamping force between the first and second members 28A and 28B and the toilet 29.

[0028] The mounting members 28 may be substantially identical to one other and may function to engage conventional mounting holes 25 defined in the base 27 of a toilet 29. With reference Figure 3A, an enlarged view of one of the mounting members 28 is illustrated. As shown, the mounting members 28 include a threaded shaft 30 and a lower end 32. The threaded shaft 30 of the first mounting member 28A threadably engages a first threaded hole 34 of the base 18. The threaded shaft 30 of the second mounting member 28B threadably engages a second threaded hole 36 of the base 18. As will become more clear below, the second threaded shaft threadably engages a translatable member 38 of the base 18. The threads of the first and second threaded holes 34 and 36 may be defined by threaded sleeves (not specifically shown).

[0029] The lower ends 32 of each mounting member 28 may be constructed of a plastic material or other material that is slightly deformable. The lower ends 32 may be non-rotatably carried by the respective threaded shaft 30. The threaded shafts 30 pass through the holes 34 and 36 and threadably engage the holes 34 and 36. In the embodiment illustrated, the lower ends 32 each include a first portion 40 and a second portion 42. At least one of the first portion 40 and the threaded shaft 30 passes through a corresponding hole 25 is the base 27 of the toilet 29. The second portions 42 also pass through the holes 25 such that the mounting assembly 10 may be solely attached to the toilet 29 from an upper side of the toilet 29.

[0030] In the embodiment illustrated, at least one of the first and second mounting members 28 may be movably associated with the first portion 20 of the base member 18. In one particular application, the first mounting member 28A may be non-movable carried by the first portion 20 and the second mounting member 28B may be movably carried by the first portion 20. In other applications, both of the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B may be movably carried by the first portion 20 of the base member 18. [0031] The translatable member or movable member 38 of the base 18 may be carried by the remainder of the base portion 18 for movement between a first position or latched position (see Figures 4 and 6, for example) and a second position or unlatched position (see Figures 5 and 7, for example). The translatable member 38 may be received within an opening 44 defined by first portion 20 of the base portion 18 and may be supported by the base portion 18.

[0032] The translatable member 38 defines the opening 36 for receiving the second mounting member 28B. Alternatively, the second mounting member 28B may be integrally formed with the translatable member 38. In this regard, a portion of the translatable member 38 may be formed to be received within one of the apertures defined by the toilet base 27.

[0033] The mounting assembly 16 may further include a latching or clamping arrangement 52. The clamping arrangement 52 may be operable to move the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B relative to one another. Explaining further, the clamping arrangement 52 may be operative for moving the translatable member 38 between the first position and the second position. In the embodiment illustrated, the clamping arrangement 52 is operative for drawing the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B toward one another to engage the sidewalls of holes 25 of the toilet base 27. In other applications within the scope of the present teachings, however, the clamping arrangement 52 may operative for forcing the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B away from one another to engage the sidewalls of holes 25 of the toilet base 27.

[0034] The clamping arrangement 52 may include a first latch member 54 and a second latch member 56. The first latch member 54 may be pivotally carried by the first portion 20 of the base portion 18. In this regard, the first latch member 54 may be connected to the first portion 20 through a pin 58 that engages holes 60 in the first portion 20. The first latch member 54 is rotatable between an unlatched position (see Figures 5 and 7) and a latched position (see Figures 4 and 6). A first end of the second latch member 56 may be pivotally couple to the first latch member 54 through a pin 62. The pin 62 may pass through a through-hole in the first end of the second latch member 56 and may engage holes in the first latch member 54. [0035] The clamping arrangement 52 may include a third latch member 64. The third latch member 64 may include a hook portion at one end. The hook portion may engage a cross member 65 of the translatable member 38. A second end of the third latch member may define a pair of holes 66.

[0036] The clamping arrangement 52 may further include an elastically compressible member 68. In one application, the elastically compressible member 68 may be constructed of a block of plastic or other suitable material. In other applications within the scope of the present teachings, the elastically compressible member may include one or more springs, such as compression springs.

[0037] The elastically compressible member 68 defines a pair of openings 69 that receive a corresponding pair of pins 70. The pins 70 pass through the openings 69 and engage the openings 66 in the third latch member 64. Explaining further, the pins 70 may engage the openings 66 in the third latch member through threads or through a press-fit.

[0038] The mounting assembly 16 may further include a cover 80. The cover 80 may be connected to the first portion 20 of the base portion 18. In the embodiment illustrated, the cover 80 is connected to the first portion 20 through a snap-fit. In other applications, the cover 80 may be connected to the first portion for articulation between an open position and a closed position.

[0039] In use, the first latch member 54 is rotated relative to the base portion 18 to an unlatched position (as shown in Figures 5 and 7, for example). In this first position, the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B are spaced apart a first horizontal distance and the mounting assembly 16 is in an unlocked or unlatched condition. The first horizontal distance is suitable for introducing the threaded shafts 30 of the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B into the holes 25 defined by the base 27 of the toilet 29 and to allow the second portions 32 of the lower ends 32 to pass completely through the holes 25..

[0040] The seat assembly 10 may be secured to the toilet through rotation of the first latch member 54 to the latched position (as shown in Figures 4 and 6, for example). When the first latch member 54 is moved from the unlatched position to the latched position, the second latch member 56 is drawn in the direction of the first latch member 54. Resultantly, the elastically compressible member 68 is slightly compressed and the third latch member 64 is drawn toward the first latch member 54 so as to translate the translatable member 38 toward the first latch member 54. This movement draws the second mounting member 28B toward the first mounting member 28A and resultant applies a force against the inner sidewall of holes 25 in the base 27 of the toilet 29. The elastic compression of the elastically compressible member 68 provides a biasing force against the inner sidewalls of the holes of the toilet base and also serves to accommodate tolerances between the holes that is common in china.

[0041] In this latched position, the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B are spaced apart a second horizontal distance Y. This second horizontal distance Y may be different than the first horizontal distance X such that the threaded shafts 30 of the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B apply a force against the inner walls of the holes 25 defined by the toilet 29 and thereby secure the seat assembly 10 to the toilet. In the application shown throughout the drawings, the applied forces of the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B are toward one another. Alternatively, these forces may be in opposite directions (e.g. away from one another).

[0042] After the first latch member is moved to the latched position, the threaded shafts 30 of the first and second mounting members 28A and 28B may be rotated (for example, in a clockwise direction), the clamp the base of the toilet 29 vertically between the lower ends 32 and the base 18.

[0043] According to the present teachings and consistent with the above description, in the preferred method the latching arrangement 52 is first moved to the latched or clamped position in which the mounting members 28A and 28B are drawn toward one another to establish the horizontally directed clamping force with toilet 29. After this first general step, the lower ends 32 of the mounting members 28A and 28B are no longer concentric with the holes 25 of the base 27 of the toilet 29. In a subsequent step, the shafts of the mounting members 28A and 28B are rotated to draw the lower ends of the mounting members 28A and 28B against the toilet 29 and thereby create the vertically directed clamping force. While a preferred method has been disclosed, it will be understood that these two general steps may be reversed within the scope of the present teachings.

[0044] Accordingly, a seat assembly 10 is disclosed which may be secured to a toilet without the need of accessing fastener components on an underside of the toilet. In this regard, the seat assembly 10 may be easily and quickly installed by a user without the need of the user to lie on the floor or otherwise access the underside of a portion of the toilet. The seat assembly 10 further operates to more securely fasten the seat 12 to the toilet as compared to known mounting arrangements.

[0045] While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present teachings as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art would appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the present teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it may be intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode of presently contemplated for carrying out the present teachings but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments following within the foregoing description and any appended claims.