TOILET AND TOILET SEAT MOUNTING APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/729,084, filed October 21, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Improving the maintenance, the cleanliness and the sanitation features of conventional toilets has been the subject of many efforts to provide improved toilet seats, toilet bowls and means for connecting them. It has been found that cleaning and sanitizing is complicated by the intricacies of hinge-like interconnections between the pivoted seat ring and the flange of a toilet bowl and by the inconvenient location and the often unsavory condition thereof. In many installations the problems are aggravated by the hinge-like interconnection of a separate seat cover mounted above the seat for independent rotation relative thereto. Access to the area around those interconnections is difficult and inconvenient and maintenance in that area is often distasteful. Partial solutions to these problems have been suggested by many.

[0003] One early effort to gain accessibility to the seat, bowl flange and the mounting area to facilitate maintenance is shown in U. S. Patent No. 3,055,015. Bushings are bolted in the bowl flange apertures and a post extends from the seat through the bushing to connect the seat to the bowl flange. Spring arms on the posts engage the bushings to releasably hold the seat in place on the flange. The seat is to be pulled upwardly and totally removed for maintenance. This approach presents additional problems for maintenance personnel. Typically the unsanitary separated seat assembly must be placed on a remote surface for cleaning and sanitizing. This results in excessive handling and subjects additional surface areas to contamination. The open apertures in the flange bushing will collect debris and cleaning materials that are difficult to remove. Moreover, a configuration relying on total separation of the seat assembly from the toilet bowl will encourage vandalism and theft, especially in commercial applications.

[0004] Many years later another approach to the same problems was shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,326,307. In that approach a bolt is secured in each flange aperture with a mounting ball on the bolt above the flange of a residential toilet. This does seal the apertures in the flange against contamination. The seat is supported on each flange ball by a mating

hinged fastener. The fastener has a tab and side walls enclosing a slotted socket that engages the associated ball. For maintenance the seat must be pulled from the flange by lifting the tabs and separating the sockets from the balls. Such arrangements also present the problems of excessive handling of the unsanitary detached seat, or seat and cover assembly, and placing it on some remote surface for cleaning and sanitizing. Such an approach using releasable fasteners creates additional new problems. The protruding flange ball creates new problems in bowl flange maintenance and the complex exposed fastener with a tab and socket present additional difficulties in removing and maintaining the seat. Other arrangements for detachment and remote storage are found in the prior art for residential type toilet seats having two hinges, releasably connected to a device secured to the bowl flange. With these prior approaches additional difficulties would be encountered in mounting commercial and traditional toilet seat arrangements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention relates to toilets and toilet seats and more particularly to toilet seat mounting means that overcome the shortcomings in the prior art as discussed above. More specifically, in accordance with this invention a mounting means is provided that maintains a toilet seat, or seat and cover, in three distinct positions. The apparatus maintains the seat and cover in the closed position properly aligned and supported on the bowl flange. The apparatus also permits rotation of the cover, or the seat and cover, to an over center storage position. In addition to the conventional use position and the conventional raised, over center storage position, the apparatus of the invention is unique in that it permits controlled upward movement of the seat or the seat and cover to an elevated position above the bowl flange for maintenance. The apparatus of the invention maintains the seat or the seat and cover in the elevated position to facilitate cleaning the toilet bowl and bowl flange, the toilet seat and cover, the seat mounting means and the surrounding environment. This invention provides temporary storage of the seat, or seat and cover, above the bowl flange with adequate clearance and access to better facilitate cleaning and maintenance. This ease of access is accomplished with a system comprising elongate posts each having a post cap secured to or integral with the seat mounting means. Each post extends downwardly from the mounting means and each is slidably mounted in a respective post receptacle secured within a bowl flange aperture. Each post cap may be integrally formed with the respective seat mounting means or the post cap may be secured to the seat mounting means by conventional means.

Each post receptacle is secured in the respective bowl flange aperture by conventional means to provide adequate support for the entire assembly and to close the bowl flange aperture against contamination. The post has a sliding fit in the receptacle and a catch or other interference means releasably supports the post in the elevated maintenance position. The seat, or seat and cover, are easily raised to the elevated cleaning and maintenance position and lowered to rest on the bowl flange when desired. The mounting means can be jointed, like a hinge defining two knuckles and a pin or can be fabricated of flexible material performing in a hinge-like manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0006] Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a conventional style toilet with parts of the mounting system of the invention shown in broken lines on the toilet bowl flange and a seat and cover in the standard over center storage position;

[0007] Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the seat and cover in the elevated position for cleaning and maintenance with the seat and cover also shown in the closed position, but in broken lines;

[0008] Fig. 3 is a view in section of one embodiment of the invention with a post cap resting on a receptacle head mounted in a bowl flange aperture;

[0009] Fig. 4 is a view in section of a second embodiment of the invention;

[0010] Fig. 5 is a view in section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing one post and receptacle configuration;

[0011] Fig. 6 is a view in section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing an alternate embodiment of the invention;

[0012] Fig. 7 is a view in section of a third embodiment of the invention;

[0013] Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the post of Fig. 3, taken from the line 5-5;

[0014] Fig. 9; is a top plan view of the receptacle of Fig.3;

[0015] Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

[0016] Fig 11 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The invention disclosed herein is set forth in the following description, is illustrated in the attached drawings and is the subject of the attached claims. The several embodiments shown and described are examples that further illustrate the invention but should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. For example, three specific configurations are illustrated in the drawings but the mounting means for the seat ring and the cover can vary widely. Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a typical toilet 10 is shown having a bowl 12 with a water tank 16 and a tank cover 18. The bowl 12 has a bowl flange 20 which supports a seat 22 and a seat cover 24 on bumpers 25 shown in an upright or standard over center storage position in Fig. 1. As best seen in Fig. 2, a unique mounting apparatus 34 supports and facilitates the positioning of the seat 22 and seat cover 24. As shown in solid lines, hinges support the seat 22 and the cover 24 in an elevated cleaning and maintenance position on elongate posts 36, as shown in solid lines and in accordance with this invention, and in a closed position on the bowl flange 20, as shown in broken lines. The mounting apparatus of this invention implements the movement of the seat and cover to the three distinct positions shown in Figs. 1 - 2. Seat hinge straps 26 and cover hinge straps 28 are mounted for rotation about a hinge pin 30 and are elevated on elongate posts 36 relative to receptacles 38 in bowl flange 20 for cleaning.

[0018] Historically, metal or synthetic flange straps 32 have been directly secured to the bowl flange using nuts and bolts. Two other seat ring mounting means are shown in figures 10 and 11. In conventional toilet seat mounting the seat and cover can be positioned only in the closed position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2 or in the standard over center storage position shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. As discussed above, in past efforts to solve cleaning and maintenance difficulties, various means have been devised for separating the hinged seat and cover from the bowl flange whereby they can be stored, cleaned and sanitized in a remote location. In addition to the inconvenience, detachment and removal also exposes the bowl flange apertures and any associated attachment devices to contamination and retention of cleaning materials.

[0019] In accordance with this invention, the toilet is configured to permit conventional hinge-like mounting of a seat and seat cover for positioning in the closed position and in the upright storage position, as already described. In addition to these positions, the mounting apparatus 34 of this invention, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, provides an additional,

elevated seat position that facilitates and simplifies cleaning and maintenance of the seat assembly and the bowl and bowl flange in a convenient, easily accessible configuration. The toilet seat mounting apparatus 34 comprises elongate posts 36 integrated with or secured to flange straps 32 and, in the use position, extends downwardly from the flange strap. The post 36 is slidable in a receptacle 38 mounted in an aperture in the bowl flange 20. Post 36 is slidable between the storage position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 where the seat 22 and seat cover 24 rest on the bowl flange 20 and the elevated position for cleaning and maintenance as shown in solid lines in Fig 2. The details of several embodiments are shown in subsequent figures and will be described hereinafter.

[0020] Referring now to Fig. 3, the mounting apparatus 34 is shown in association with bowl flange 20 and a hinge flange strap 32, both shown in broken lines. The strap 32 has a knuckle 33 which, through a hinge pin, seat hinge strap 26 and cover hinge strap 28 rotatably supports the seat 22 and cover 24 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each receptacle 38 has a tubular body 42 with a longitudinal bore 44 and an integral head 46 and is mounted in an appropriate bowl aperture 40 in bowl flange 20. The receptacle head 46 has a peripheral recess 48 and a key hole 50. The tubular body 42 is externally threaded to receive a washer 52 and nut 54 which restrain the receptacle 38 in position on bowl flange 20. The post 36 of Fig. 3 has a cylindrical body portion 56 and an integral cap 58. The post body portion 56 may have one of many configurations as discussed with respect to Figs. 5 and 6. The cap 58 has a rim 60 which encloses the receptacle head 46 and has a rib 62 that engages the receptacle head recess 48 for sealing and alignment. The cap 58 also has a key 64 which is received in key hole 50 for stability and alignment. The upper portion of the post 36 is threaded and fixed to the hinge strap 32 by washer 66 and nut 68.

[0021] The fit between the surfaces of the post and the receptacle should be as close as permitted by the tolerances of the manufacturing processes and physical characteristics of the materials employed. A sliding fit is desirable to provide the optimum stability when the seat is in any position on the bowl flange and during upward movement to the elevated maintenance position. It is desirable to control and limit the upward movement of the post 36 to provide spacing above the bowl flange as desired for cleaning and maintenance. In the embodiment of Fig. 3 longitudinal movement of the post 36 is controlled by a pinch prong portion 70 of post 36 which can be compressed for assembly. In use the post 36 can be raised and the pinch prongs hold the seat assembly at the desired level for cleaning and maintenance work. The pinch prongs 70 also resist over extension which might dislodge the posts from

the receptacles. An area of reduced post diameter 72 is provided to facilitate assembly and better clearance where the split prongs begin. A nub 74 may be provided to alert the user to full extension and tend to avoid over extension of the post 36. The post 36 or all components of the mounting apparatus can be fabricated from a wide variety of materials. Metals such as selected aluminum and steel can be used although for ease of manufacture and cost including cost of tooling, synthetic materials are preferred. Materials such as Delrin®, an acetal resin from DuPont, and various copolymers with talc filler will be suitable for this application. [0022] Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the sliding post 36 looking up from line 5-5 in Fig. 3. The circular body 56 extends centrally from the integral circular post cap 58. The thicknesses of the rim 60 and of the rib 62 are indicated by two concentric circles. Key 64 is shown inwardly of the rim to provide adequate interlocking stability and clearance for manufacture and assembly. Fig 9 is a top view of the receptacle 38 showing the bore 44, the integral head 46, the peripheral recess 48 and the keyhole 50. Post 36 and receptacle 38 are configured to cooperate in performing the functions described and to integrate the particular hinge system with the toilet bowl. Primarily for aesthetic purposes, the post cap 58 and the receptacle head 46 may have a variety of matched configurations. The configuration may be round, as shown in Figs. 8 - 9. hi other configurations the post cap 58 and receptacle head 46 may be curvilinear, rectangular or trapezoidal. Also for aesthetic purposes, the post cap 58 may include a corresponding shaped cover as found in some seat and cover assemblies that snap into place over the exposed portion of the assembly (not shown). Where applicable, the post cap 58 and the receptacle head 46 can be configured to cooperate and conform to the configuration of the flange straps 32 .

[0023] The transverse cross sections of the post 36 and receptacle 38 are, in part, an engineering choice. Fig. 5 shows the right circular cross section of post 36 and of the outside and inside configurations of the mated receptacle 38. The clearance between the receptacle and the post is exaggerated for clarity. An alternate configuration is shown in Fig. 6. There the outside surface of the receptacle 39 is a right circular cylinder and the inside surface of the receptacle 39 and the post 37 have rectilinear cross sections. Other configurations can be used as may be dictated by structural design considerations. For example, the post 36 of Fig. 5 and post 37 of Fig. 6 may be engineered with a solid cross section, as shown, or may have a hollow configuration.

[0024] A variation of the embodiment of Fig. 3 is shown in Fig. 4. The mounting apparatus is configured for two bowl flange apertures 93, where the pinch prongs 70, the area

of reduced cross section 72 and the nub 74 are replaced. In Fig. 4 a portion of post 76 has slots 78 to provide yieldability and a ridge 80 extending outwardly from the post surface. The slots 78 permit compression of the post 76 as it enters and passes through the receptacle 82 during assembly. A recess 84 is formed in the receptacle 82 that will receive and retain the ridge 80. This will hold the post and seat assembly at the elevated level appropriate for cleaning and maintenance. Following maintenance, downward pressure on the seat assembly will release the ridge 80 from the recess 84 and permit the seat assembly to rest on the bowl flange 86. The seat assembly can be removed completely for replacement or the like by lifting the seat assembly with sufficient force to compress the slotted post 76 permitting complete withdrawal and reinsertion of the post 76 in the receptacle 82. [0025] The receptacle 82 is threaded and is secured to the bowl flange 86 by a washer 89 and nut 88 in the manner described with respect to Fig. 3. The receptacle 82 has a head 90 corresponding to that of Fig. 3 and of Fig. 9 and functions in the same manner. The post 76 has an integral cap 92 with a rim and rim generally as shown in Fig. 8 and has a threaded bore extending into the post which receives a bolt 94 that secures the flange strap 32 with knuckle 33 against the cap 92.

[0026] Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which each flange strap 32 with knuckle 33, the associated post 36 and post cap 58 of Fig. 3 are combined and integrated. In Fig. 7, each receptacle 95 with integral head 100, a washer 96 and a nut 98 may be configured as described in Fig 3 or Fig 4. The post 102 may have the distal portion as shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4. The post cap 104 has a rim 106 and rim 108 that cooperate with the receptacle head 100 as already described. In this embodiment the integral cap 104 also serves as the flange hinge strap by incorporating a knuckle 105 that receives the hinge pin which connects to the seat and cover either directly or on appropriate hinge straps in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0027] Commercial toilet seats have the same basic mounting means as the residential toilet although they often have a different specific mounting arrangement from that described above. One such commercial toilet seat arrangement integrates, in a single mounting means, a bracket the equivalent of a hinge flange strap, a hinge pin and the mounting portion of the seat ring, with one such bracket mountable in each bowl flange aperture. Each bracket cooperates with an appropriate aperture in the mounting portion of a seat or of the seat and of the cover to permit rotation between the fully lowered, use, or closed position on the bowl flange and the over center raised storage position. The post and receptacle configuration and

mounting apparatus shown and described with respect to Figs. 1—2 are equally applicable to most configurations of commercial style mounting means for toilet seats and seat covers and seat hinge styles. The mounting apparatus of this invention will provide stable support for the seat, or the seat and seat cover, whether resting in the closed, or use, position on the bowl flange or in the upright, over center, storage position. The mounting apparatus of this invention also provides for elevation of the seat to the appropriate position above the bowl for cleaning and maintenance in the manner already described.

[0028] Fig. 10 shows a fragment of one commercial toilet seat 118 in which the seat is cut away to define a cut back mounting means seat portion acting as a seat knuckle 119. Mounting means post portion 116, partially in section, is mounted in each of two apertures 111 in a toilet bowl flange 110 and corresponds to the mounting apparatus 34 of Figs. 3-9. In the Fig. 10 embodiment, the mounting means post portion 116 includes the equivalents of the combined bowl flange strap and cap 104 and knuckle 105 shown in Fig. 7 but with a hinge pin extending from the knuckle 105. The hinge pin in the Fig. 10 configuration may be a short integral pin and the seat knuckle may have a transverse cavity on each side to receive the short pins, hi an alternative embodiment, the commercial seat may be configured with a circular mounting hole extending transversely through the seat knuckle. In that embodiment a single elongate hinge pin extends through the seat knuckle between and into recesses in two supports mounted in the bowl flange apertures. A seat cover is included in some commercial seat designs. Typically, in those embodiments the seat is cut away to define a central gap and two spaced seat knuckles. The seat cover is configured with a central cover knuckle to occupy that central gap. The cover knuckle is aligned with the seat knuckles to receive a single pin or dual pins between two mounting brackets in a manner following the general configuration of Fig. 11.

[0029] The portion of toilet seat 118 shown in Fig. 10 shows an aperture 120 to receive a hinge pin 122. The hinge pin 122 extends horizontally and transversely from the post portion which includes a dome like bracket 123 to align with a second corresponding bracket mounted in a second bowl flange aperture. In addition to the hinge pin 122 each bracket 123 comprises a cap with rim 124 and key 126 and an extendable post 112 in the manner described with respect to Fig. 7. In the configuration provided in Fig. 10 for a commercial toilet, each mounting post and receptacle supports the seat 118 on the pin 122. A receptacle 114 and the manner of attachment to bowl flange 110 may correspond in all respects to the receptacles of Fig. 3, 4 or 7. This enables the elevation of the entire seat to the maintenance

position in an integrated manner although there are no conventional hinge straps involved. The particular post-receptacle interface and the interference means 115 used to support the post and the seat, or the seat and cover, in the elevated maintenance position can be as seen in Fig. 3 or in Fig. 4 or can comprise other combinations and configurations which will occur to one skilled in the art in the light of this teaching.

[0030] Most residential toilet seat hinges include knuckles as shown shown in Figs. 1-7. However, there is a "traditional style" often replicated today, that, like the embodiment of Fig. 10, does not have a conventional hinge strap secured to the bowl flange or the seat ring. Fig. 11 illustrates, partially in section, the "traditional" mounting in a showing of the mounting means on one aperture of a bowl flange. Referring specifically to Fig. 11, a toilet bowl flange fragment 128 is shown with an aperture 130. A receptacle 132 having an integral head 134 with a recess 131 and a keyhole 133 is retained in the bowl flange aperture 130 by a washer 136 and a nut 135 in the manner shown and described with respect to Fig. 7. A post 138 is slidably mounted in receptacle 132 and has a mounting means post portion 140 having a rim 142 with a rib 144 and a key 146. The rim 142 and rib 144 cooperate with the recess 131 and key 146 cooperates with keyhole 133 in receptacle head 134 to insure stability and alignment.

[0031] Each post portion 140 has a traditional configuration including an arched arm portion 148 having a distal portion defining an aperture to receive a closely fitted hinge pin 160 for connecting the post portion 140 capped with an end closure 158. The traditional toilet has a seat 150 supported on seat portion of the mounting means 154 comprising artistic hinge straps having apertures aligned with and supported on the hinge pin 160 that connects seat portion 154 and the arm like post portions arms 148. Mounted above the seat 150 is a seat cover 152 having artistic hinge straps 156 supported on the hinge pin 160 and the arcuate arms 148 for rotation between the closed and the upright over center storage positions. The mounting apparatus is, in all functional respects like that shown in Fig. 7. The sliding relationship of the post 138 in the receptacle 132 enables elevation of the seat and seat cover above the toilet bowl to the elevated position for cleaning and maintenance. The hinge straps, hinge pin and arm portions comprise the mounting means performing in the same manner described above with respect to Figs. 2-9.

[0032] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were

individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0033] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. AU methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0100] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.