CA1144706A - Quick mount toilet seat-cover hinge - Google Patents
Quick mount toilet seat-cover hingeInfo
- Publication number
- CA1144706A CA1144706A CA000408644A CA408644A CA1144706A CA 1144706 A CA1144706 A CA 1144706A CA 000408644 A CA000408644 A CA 000408644A CA 408644 A CA408644 A CA 408644A CA 1144706 A CA1144706 A CA 1144706A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stem
- nut
- planar
- commode
- toilet seat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- Toilet Supplies (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A toilet seat hinge mounting assembly for top attachment to a commode having a vertical mounting hole includes a base member mountable on the top surface of a commode with an elongated hollow stem extending downwardly from the base member and having an axial opening extending axially along its length and having an outer configuration permitting it to be inserted matingly downwardly into a commode mounting hole; the stem is divided into first and second stem halves separated by a diametric slot extending upwardly from the lower end of the stem with the lower end of the stem halves being defined by planar follower surfaces that are oriented at an acute angle relative to the axis of the stem with the lower ends of the planar follower surfaces flaring outwardly from the axis of the stem. A threaded bolt extends downwardly through the axial opening in the stem with a camming a nut being mounted on the bolt below the lower end of the stem; the upper end of the nut is defined by two upwardly converging planar camming surfaces each oriented substantially parallel to and facing one of the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of the stem. Rotation of the bolt is effected by use of a screwdriver from above the commode and the planar camming surfaces on the nut engage the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of the stem to prevent rotation of the nut which is consequently moved upwardly with the planar camming surfaces consequently also serving to force the stem halves apart into forceful contact with the mounting hole to effect retention of the stem therein.
A toilet seat hinge mounting assembly for top attachment to a commode having a vertical mounting hole includes a base member mountable on the top surface of a commode with an elongated hollow stem extending downwardly from the base member and having an axial opening extending axially along its length and having an outer configuration permitting it to be inserted matingly downwardly into a commode mounting hole; the stem is divided into first and second stem halves separated by a diametric slot extending upwardly from the lower end of the stem with the lower end of the stem halves being defined by planar follower surfaces that are oriented at an acute angle relative to the axis of the stem with the lower ends of the planar follower surfaces flaring outwardly from the axis of the stem. A threaded bolt extends downwardly through the axial opening in the stem with a camming a nut being mounted on the bolt below the lower end of the stem; the upper end of the nut is defined by two upwardly converging planar camming surfaces each oriented substantially parallel to and facing one of the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of the stem. Rotation of the bolt is effected by use of a screwdriver from above the commode and the planar camming surfaces on the nut engage the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of the stem to prevent rotation of the nut which is consequently moved upwardly with the planar camming surfaces consequently also serving to force the stem halves apart into forceful contact with the mounting hole to effect retention of the stem therein.
Description
~1447~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
,, The present invention is in the field of toilet seat devices and is more particularly directed to a toilet seat hinge assembly for permitting the easy attachment thereof to a commode platform havin~ vertical mounting holes provided for that purpose.
Most of the prior known toilet seat hinge devices ?''~
have employed a threaded bolt member extending downwardly through mounting holes in a commode with a nut being positioned on the lower end of the bolt member so as to move into clamping engagement with the lower surace of the commode upon rotation of the bolt. Assemblies of the foregoing type require the use of mounting tools in cramped quarters beneath the commode top so as to render the mounting of hinges of thi~ type quite difficult and P
vexatious. ?
As a consequence of the foregoing difficulties, it has been proposed to employ hinge devices which can be attached by manipulation solely from above the upper portion o~ the commode bowl. Watson U.S. Patent No. 3,570,021 describes a toilet seat hinge post which is mounted from above the commode by the use of a metal screw having a nut at its lower end engageable with the lower flared end of a bore extending through an expandable plastic stem provided in a stud hole of a commode.
Unfortunately, devices of the type described in the Watson patent have not proven to be entirely satisfactory for a variety of reasons including the tendency of the nut on the lower end of the bolt to slip and turn with the bolt rather than to be held firmly by engagement with the plastic sleeve in which it is positioned.
Similarly, U.S~ Patent No. 4,319,365 to Bemis et al.
discloses a toilet seat hinge assembly made of plastic or the like which includes a barrel-shaped cam nl1t provided `
, --2-- c.
on the lower end of a threaded bolt which is rotatable from its upper end above the commode. The cam bolt has two side tab elements 31A, etc., engageable with the sides of diametrically positioned slots in a stem member extending matingly downwardly through a mounting hole in the commode. Upon rotation of the bolt, the tab elements t~, react with the slots in which they are positioned so tha~ "
the nut cannot rotate and is moved upwardly so its barrel-shaped upper end surface engages the interiox surface of the stem to force apart the sides of the stem along opposite sides of the diametric slots provided in the stem member. Thus, the device of the Bemis et al.
patent necessitates the employment of a camming nut having rS5 both separate radially extending lug members or tabs which engage the sides of the slot to prevent rotation of the nut when the bolt is turned and separate stem camming surfaces. Consequently, the camming nuts of the Bemis et ,~
al. patent are relatively complex since they employ two r separate and distinct surfaces for preventing rotation of ~"
the nut with the bolt and for outwardly camming the mounting stem against the adjacent surface of the mounting hole in the commode in which the device is mounted.
Another patent disclosing a top~mountable toilet seat hinge construction is U.S. Patent ~o. 3,449,774.
Thus, it will be seen that the prior art devices, while providing satisfactory results in some circumstances, have not proven to be universally acceptable due to mechanical difficul~ies and shortening.
Moreover, many of the prior known devices can only be used with mounting holes of a given diameter; others have used expandable hole engaging memkers that are of such a large diameter as to preclude their downward insertion in most .~
commode seat mounting holes. Such devices are ,~
consequently incapable of usage with the majority of comm~des having relatively small hinge mounting holes.
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Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toilet seat hinge mounting assembly which can be mounted solely from above F' the commode to which the assembly is being connected.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved toilet seat hinge assembly that can be mounted in hinge mounting holes in commodes of varying diameters so as to provide compatibility with a wide variety of commodes.
SUMMP~RY OF THE INVENTION
~ . . _ The present invention achieves the foregoing objects :s in its preferred embodiment through the provision of a hinge assembly completely formed of plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene and which includes a base r~
member mountable on the upper surface of a commode and having a downwardly extending hollow stem member extending therefrom. The hollow stem member is provided with two diametric slots extending upwardly from its lowermost end el"
so as to divide the stem into two stem halves. The lowermost ends of the hollow stem are defined by first and ';
second planar cam follower surfaces each respectively on one of the stem halves which flare outwardly from a common intersection at their upper end along a line extending through and perpendicular to the axis of the stem member at the lower ends of the diametric slots. Thus, the diametric slots in the stem member divide the stem into ~irst and second stem halves which can be urged outwardly against the surface of a seat hinge mounting hole in a commode in a manner to be described. A threaded bolt extends downwardly through and from the base member and has a nut of special design threadably positioned on its lower end. The nut has its upper surface defined by first .-and second planar camming surfaces which converge upwardly e ~47~6 4- , . .
and intersect along a line perpendicular to and extending t--through the axis of the nut and the axis of the bolt ~which are coextensive). The camming surfaces on the ~
upper end of the nut facingly engage the follower surfaces defining the lower ends of the stem member so that upon rotation of the bolt member the camming surfaces of the nut react with and forcefully engage the follower surfaces of the stem member. The nut consequently cannot rotate with the bolt so that the nut is moved upwardly or downwardly on the bolt member as a result of rotation thereof with upward movement of the nut resulting in reactive force between the planar camming surfaces and the planar follower surfaces so as to force the stem halves outwardly upon continued rotation of the bolt member. The outer diamete~ of the nut and the outer diameter of the elongated hollow stem are approximately the same prior to expansion ~f the stem by upward movement of the nut as a result of rotation of the bolt on which it is threaded. A :;
significant aspect of the invention resides in the fact ,~
that the same surface of the nut which effects the outward camming of the stem halves also precludes rotation of the nut with the bolt so as to serve a dual function.
A better understanding of the manner in which the preferred embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objects will be enabled when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals are used for the same parts as illustrated in the different ~-drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS :
, .
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating two hinges incorporatin~ the preferred embodiment installed on a co~ode platform;
,~-e ' ~49L71;)6 FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment as it appears prior to installation;
FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the -.
preferred embodiment;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure l;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 4; 'r~
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4 but illustrating the parts prior to outward expansion of the stem halves; and FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 6.
DESGRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
.;
A commode bowl 6 is provided with a platform 7 having vertical mounting holes 8 for receiving a toilet ~.
seat-cover hinge assembly. The preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a unique hinge assembly 9 which is matingly inserted downwardly in one of the vertical mounting apartures or holes 8 as shown in Figure 6 and is then expanded to forcefully engage the sides of the aperture as shown in Figure 4 with the expansion of the device being effected solely by manipulation from above and externally of the commode bowlO
More specifically, the preferred embodiment 9 of the invention comprises a base member 12 having an inner recess 14 with a bottom surface 16. A pintle support arm 13 extends unitarily upward from the base member 12 and supports a pintle lS on its upper end. Cover and seat hinge elements 17 and 19 are respectively mounted on pintle 15 for providing pivotal support for cover C and seat 5. A stem 18 having a generally cylindrical outer configuration extends unitarily downwardly from the base v member 12 and is divided into first and second identical stem-halves 20 and 22 by a vertical slot 24 extending diam~trically across the stem and beginning at the lower ~;
end of the stem and terminating at its upper end below the upper end of the stem as shown in Fig. 6. The lower ends of the stem halves 20 and 22 are respectively provided with planar follower surfaces 26 and 28 which diverge and ~lare outwardly downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the axis of stem 18. The base member 12, pintle support arm 13 and stem 18 are unitarily formed of high-density polyethelene. The outer surfaces of the stem halves are provided with elongated longitudinally extend-ing pressure ribs 30 which protrude outwardly slightly for a purpose to be described hereinafter.
A bore opening 32 (Fig. 3) extends axially downwardly through both the base member 12 and the stem 18 and is coaxial with respect to the inner recess 14 which is of cylindrical shape. A bolt 34 formed of nylon provided with threads 35 on its outer surface extends downwardly ~-through and along the length of bore 32 and has its slotted head 36 positioned in the recess 14 with the lower ;;
surface of the head resting on the bottom surface 16 of ~
recess 14. ~-A camming nut 38 formed of polypropylene is threadably received on the lower end of bolt 34 and includes first and second upwardly inwardly converging planar camming surfaces 40 and 42 which are respectively in facing engaging relationship with the planar end follower surfaces 26 and 28 of stem-halves 20 and 22 as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.
Installation of the hinge support is initiated by ^-first inserting the s~em nut and bolt assembly downwardly through a mounting aperture 8 in the commode platform 7 to the position illustrated in Fig. 6.
~47~6 -7~
;
It will be seen that upon rotation of the bolt 34 in ,, a clockwise direction as viewed from above, the surfaces 26 and 28 will be engaged by surfaces 40 and 42 to preclude rotation of the nut 38 wi~h bolt 34 so that the t`:, nut will consequently move upwardly on the bolt and surfaces 26 and 28 will be forced outwardly by the reactive force exert~id by camming surfaces 40 and 42 respectively. Stem halves 20 and 22 will consequently ~P^
move outwardly into contact with the surface of the vertical mounting aperture 8 so as to frictionally engage same with the pressure ribs 30 enhancing the localized pressure contact and consequently increasing the frictional resistance of the stem against the surface of vertical mounting aperture 8. A significant aspect of the ~' invention resides in the fact that the camming surfaces 40 and 42 which define the upper extent of the camming nut 38 engage the stem halves to prevent rotation of the nut to l_ camming nut 38 and to also effect outward camming movement r,~, of the stem halves into contact with the vertical mounting aperture 8. Thus, it will be apparent that ,the surfaces '~' 40 and 42 react with the stem halves to perform two ,' ~unctions.
A flexible hinge cover 50 which is' formed of 7"`"' high-density polyethelene is pivotally,attached to base member 12 by a live hinge 51 can be moved over into covering position above the bolt head 36 after the hinge assembly is,mounted in the commode so as to provide an aesthetically attractive appearance for the item. It ,~
should be understood that the body or base mer~er 12, the stem, and the pintle post 13 are unitarily formed of plastic. Also, the bolt 34 and the camming nut 38 are ,~
also formed of plastic so that the assembly is totally non-corrosive and not subject to chemical deterioration.'-~
The asser~ly can be positioned on a commode simply by the .
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use of a screw driver operated from above the commode in an obvious manner.
While only the preferred embodiment has been disclosed, it should be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment as many obvious modifications will undoubtedly occur to those of skill in the art and the invention ~.
should be limited only by the terms of the appended ~;
claims.
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., r i~
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,..
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
,, The present invention is in the field of toilet seat devices and is more particularly directed to a toilet seat hinge assembly for permitting the easy attachment thereof to a commode platform havin~ vertical mounting holes provided for that purpose.
Most of the prior known toilet seat hinge devices ?''~
have employed a threaded bolt member extending downwardly through mounting holes in a commode with a nut being positioned on the lower end of the bolt member so as to move into clamping engagement with the lower surace of the commode upon rotation of the bolt. Assemblies of the foregoing type require the use of mounting tools in cramped quarters beneath the commode top so as to render the mounting of hinges of thi~ type quite difficult and P
vexatious. ?
As a consequence of the foregoing difficulties, it has been proposed to employ hinge devices which can be attached by manipulation solely from above the upper portion o~ the commode bowl. Watson U.S. Patent No. 3,570,021 describes a toilet seat hinge post which is mounted from above the commode by the use of a metal screw having a nut at its lower end engageable with the lower flared end of a bore extending through an expandable plastic stem provided in a stud hole of a commode.
Unfortunately, devices of the type described in the Watson patent have not proven to be entirely satisfactory for a variety of reasons including the tendency of the nut on the lower end of the bolt to slip and turn with the bolt rather than to be held firmly by engagement with the plastic sleeve in which it is positioned.
Similarly, U.S~ Patent No. 4,319,365 to Bemis et al.
discloses a toilet seat hinge assembly made of plastic or the like which includes a barrel-shaped cam nl1t provided `
, --2-- c.
on the lower end of a threaded bolt which is rotatable from its upper end above the commode. The cam bolt has two side tab elements 31A, etc., engageable with the sides of diametrically positioned slots in a stem member extending matingly downwardly through a mounting hole in the commode. Upon rotation of the bolt, the tab elements t~, react with the slots in which they are positioned so tha~ "
the nut cannot rotate and is moved upwardly so its barrel-shaped upper end surface engages the interiox surface of the stem to force apart the sides of the stem along opposite sides of the diametric slots provided in the stem member. Thus, the device of the Bemis et al.
patent necessitates the employment of a camming nut having rS5 both separate radially extending lug members or tabs which engage the sides of the slot to prevent rotation of the nut when the bolt is turned and separate stem camming surfaces. Consequently, the camming nuts of the Bemis et ,~
al. patent are relatively complex since they employ two r separate and distinct surfaces for preventing rotation of ~"
the nut with the bolt and for outwardly camming the mounting stem against the adjacent surface of the mounting hole in the commode in which the device is mounted.
Another patent disclosing a top~mountable toilet seat hinge construction is U.S. Patent ~o. 3,449,774.
Thus, it will be seen that the prior art devices, while providing satisfactory results in some circumstances, have not proven to be universally acceptable due to mechanical difficul~ies and shortening.
Moreover, many of the prior known devices can only be used with mounting holes of a given diameter; others have used expandable hole engaging memkers that are of such a large diameter as to preclude their downward insertion in most .~
commode seat mounting holes. Such devices are ,~
consequently incapable of usage with the majority of comm~des having relatively small hinge mounting holes.
5,5 t "~ ~ rr~ ~r ~ ?~ 5~Ss~r~r~? ~ 5-~1. " ~._~ ?;-.~ ~-~ ~
Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toilet seat hinge mounting assembly which can be mounted solely from above F' the commode to which the assembly is being connected.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved toilet seat hinge assembly that can be mounted in hinge mounting holes in commodes of varying diameters so as to provide compatibility with a wide variety of commodes.
SUMMP~RY OF THE INVENTION
~ . . _ The present invention achieves the foregoing objects :s in its preferred embodiment through the provision of a hinge assembly completely formed of plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene and which includes a base r~
member mountable on the upper surface of a commode and having a downwardly extending hollow stem member extending therefrom. The hollow stem member is provided with two diametric slots extending upwardly from its lowermost end el"
so as to divide the stem into two stem halves. The lowermost ends of the hollow stem are defined by first and ';
second planar cam follower surfaces each respectively on one of the stem halves which flare outwardly from a common intersection at their upper end along a line extending through and perpendicular to the axis of the stem member at the lower ends of the diametric slots. Thus, the diametric slots in the stem member divide the stem into ~irst and second stem halves which can be urged outwardly against the surface of a seat hinge mounting hole in a commode in a manner to be described. A threaded bolt extends downwardly through and from the base member and has a nut of special design threadably positioned on its lower end. The nut has its upper surface defined by first .-and second planar camming surfaces which converge upwardly e ~47~6 4- , . .
and intersect along a line perpendicular to and extending t--through the axis of the nut and the axis of the bolt ~which are coextensive). The camming surfaces on the ~
upper end of the nut facingly engage the follower surfaces defining the lower ends of the stem member so that upon rotation of the bolt member the camming surfaces of the nut react with and forcefully engage the follower surfaces of the stem member. The nut consequently cannot rotate with the bolt so that the nut is moved upwardly or downwardly on the bolt member as a result of rotation thereof with upward movement of the nut resulting in reactive force between the planar camming surfaces and the planar follower surfaces so as to force the stem halves outwardly upon continued rotation of the bolt member. The outer diamete~ of the nut and the outer diameter of the elongated hollow stem are approximately the same prior to expansion ~f the stem by upward movement of the nut as a result of rotation of the bolt on which it is threaded. A :;
significant aspect of the invention resides in the fact ,~
that the same surface of the nut which effects the outward camming of the stem halves also precludes rotation of the nut with the bolt so as to serve a dual function.
A better understanding of the manner in which the preferred embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objects will be enabled when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals are used for the same parts as illustrated in the different ~-drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS :
, .
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating two hinges incorporatin~ the preferred embodiment installed on a co~ode platform;
,~-e ' ~49L71;)6 FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment as it appears prior to installation;
FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the -.
preferred embodiment;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure l;
FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 4; 'r~
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4 but illustrating the parts prior to outward expansion of the stem halves; and FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 6.
DESGRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
.;
A commode bowl 6 is provided with a platform 7 having vertical mounting holes 8 for receiving a toilet ~.
seat-cover hinge assembly. The preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a unique hinge assembly 9 which is matingly inserted downwardly in one of the vertical mounting apartures or holes 8 as shown in Figure 6 and is then expanded to forcefully engage the sides of the aperture as shown in Figure 4 with the expansion of the device being effected solely by manipulation from above and externally of the commode bowlO
More specifically, the preferred embodiment 9 of the invention comprises a base member 12 having an inner recess 14 with a bottom surface 16. A pintle support arm 13 extends unitarily upward from the base member 12 and supports a pintle lS on its upper end. Cover and seat hinge elements 17 and 19 are respectively mounted on pintle 15 for providing pivotal support for cover C and seat 5. A stem 18 having a generally cylindrical outer configuration extends unitarily downwardly from the base v member 12 and is divided into first and second identical stem-halves 20 and 22 by a vertical slot 24 extending diam~trically across the stem and beginning at the lower ~;
end of the stem and terminating at its upper end below the upper end of the stem as shown in Fig. 6. The lower ends of the stem halves 20 and 22 are respectively provided with planar follower surfaces 26 and 28 which diverge and ~lare outwardly downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the axis of stem 18. The base member 12, pintle support arm 13 and stem 18 are unitarily formed of high-density polyethelene. The outer surfaces of the stem halves are provided with elongated longitudinally extend-ing pressure ribs 30 which protrude outwardly slightly for a purpose to be described hereinafter.
A bore opening 32 (Fig. 3) extends axially downwardly through both the base member 12 and the stem 18 and is coaxial with respect to the inner recess 14 which is of cylindrical shape. A bolt 34 formed of nylon provided with threads 35 on its outer surface extends downwardly ~-through and along the length of bore 32 and has its slotted head 36 positioned in the recess 14 with the lower ;;
surface of the head resting on the bottom surface 16 of ~
recess 14. ~-A camming nut 38 formed of polypropylene is threadably received on the lower end of bolt 34 and includes first and second upwardly inwardly converging planar camming surfaces 40 and 42 which are respectively in facing engaging relationship with the planar end follower surfaces 26 and 28 of stem-halves 20 and 22 as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.
Installation of the hinge support is initiated by ^-first inserting the s~em nut and bolt assembly downwardly through a mounting aperture 8 in the commode platform 7 to the position illustrated in Fig. 6.
~47~6 -7~
;
It will be seen that upon rotation of the bolt 34 in ,, a clockwise direction as viewed from above, the surfaces 26 and 28 will be engaged by surfaces 40 and 42 to preclude rotation of the nut 38 wi~h bolt 34 so that the t`:, nut will consequently move upwardly on the bolt and surfaces 26 and 28 will be forced outwardly by the reactive force exert~id by camming surfaces 40 and 42 respectively. Stem halves 20 and 22 will consequently ~P^
move outwardly into contact with the surface of the vertical mounting aperture 8 so as to frictionally engage same with the pressure ribs 30 enhancing the localized pressure contact and consequently increasing the frictional resistance of the stem against the surface of vertical mounting aperture 8. A significant aspect of the ~' invention resides in the fact that the camming surfaces 40 and 42 which define the upper extent of the camming nut 38 engage the stem halves to prevent rotation of the nut to l_ camming nut 38 and to also effect outward camming movement r,~, of the stem halves into contact with the vertical mounting aperture 8. Thus, it will be apparent that ,the surfaces '~' 40 and 42 react with the stem halves to perform two ,' ~unctions.
A flexible hinge cover 50 which is' formed of 7"`"' high-density polyethelene is pivotally,attached to base member 12 by a live hinge 51 can be moved over into covering position above the bolt head 36 after the hinge assembly is,mounted in the commode so as to provide an aesthetically attractive appearance for the item. It ,~
should be understood that the body or base mer~er 12, the stem, and the pintle post 13 are unitarily formed of plastic. Also, the bolt 34 and the camming nut 38 are ,~
also formed of plastic so that the assembly is totally non-corrosive and not subject to chemical deterioration.'-~
The asser~ly can be positioned on a commode simply by the .
_, _,, , ,_ _ _ _~ _ ,_, _, ,. , ,, ,_ ,, _, " ,,_,,_~ ,, , ,,,, ,, " ,,_ A, j j,, ., ,; _._~t--~. .. '_!.~"--'----"" -~"."' , ' _, ' ` -- '--' 7~
use of a screw driver operated from above the commode in an obvious manner.
While only the preferred embodiment has been disclosed, it should be understood that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment as many obvious modifications will undoubtedly occur to those of skill in the art and the invention ~.
should be limited only by the terms of the appended ~;
claims.
,~
., r i~
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.C~.
,..
Claims (15)
1. A toilet seat hinge mounting assembly for attachment to a commode having a mounting hole, said hinge assembly including:
(a) a base member mountable on the top surface of a commode;
(b) an elongated hollow stem having an axial opening extending along its length and extending downwardly from said base member and having an outer configuration permitting said stem to be inserted matingly downwardly into a commode mounting hole, said stem including first and second stem halves separated by first and second slots extending upwardly from the lower end of said stem, the lower extent of said stem halves each being defined by planar follower surfaces that are oriented at an acute angle relative to the axis of said stem with the lower ends of said planar follower surfaces flaring outwardly from said axis of said stem;
(c) a threaded bolt extending downwardly through said axial opening in said stem;
(d) a nut mounted on said threaded bolt, said nut having its upper extent defined by first and second upwardly converging planar camming surfaces each oriented substantially parallel to and facingly engaging one of the planar surfaces. defining the lower extent of said stem, the outer surface of said nut not extending radially beyond the outer surface of said stem so as to permit said nut when on said bolt to be inserted downwardly through the mounting hole in a commode; and (e) means on the upper end of said bolt for effecting rotation of the bolt whereby the planar camming surfaces on the nut engage the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of said stem to react therewith and prevent rotation of the nut which is consequently moved upwardly to force the stem halves apart into forceful contact with the mounting hole.
(a) a base member mountable on the top surface of a commode;
(b) an elongated hollow stem having an axial opening extending along its length and extending downwardly from said base member and having an outer configuration permitting said stem to be inserted matingly downwardly into a commode mounting hole, said stem including first and second stem halves separated by first and second slots extending upwardly from the lower end of said stem, the lower extent of said stem halves each being defined by planar follower surfaces that are oriented at an acute angle relative to the axis of said stem with the lower ends of said planar follower surfaces flaring outwardly from said axis of said stem;
(c) a threaded bolt extending downwardly through said axial opening in said stem;
(d) a nut mounted on said threaded bolt, said nut having its upper extent defined by first and second upwardly converging planar camming surfaces each oriented substantially parallel to and facingly engaging one of the planar surfaces. defining the lower extent of said stem, the outer surface of said nut not extending radially beyond the outer surface of said stem so as to permit said nut when on said bolt to be inserted downwardly through the mounting hole in a commode; and (e) means on the upper end of said bolt for effecting rotation of the bolt whereby the planar camming surfaces on the nut engage the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of said stem to react therewith and prevent rotation of the nut which is consequently moved upwardly to force the stem halves apart into forceful contact with the mounting hole.
2. A toilet seat hinge mounting assembly for attachment to a commode as recited in claim 1, wherein said planar follower surfaces are oriented in a plane at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the axis of the axial opening extending along the length of said hollow stem.
3. The toilet seat hinge mounting assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said stem halves include pressure ribs protruding outwardly from their outer surfaces.
4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said nut and said stem have substantially coextensive outer surfaces prior to actuation of said nut for displacing said stem halves outwardly.
5. The toilet seat hinge mounting assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein said stem halves include pressure ribs protruding outwardly from their outer surfaces.
6. A toilet seat hinge mounting assembly for attachment to a commode as recited in claim 4, wherein said planar follower surfaces are oriented in a plane at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the axis of the axial opening extending along the length of said hollow stem.
7. The toilet seat hinge mounting assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said stem halves include pressure ribs protruding outwardly from their outer surfaces.
8. A toilet seat hinge and cover mounting assembly for attachment to a commode having a vertical mounting hole, said hinge assembly including:
(a) a base member mountable on the top surface of commode;
(b) a pintle support arm extending upwardly from said base member and having seat and cover hinge elements mounted on a pintle carried on its outer end;
(c) an elongated hollow stem having an axial opening extending along its length and extending downwardly from said base member and having an outer generally cylindrical surface having a diameter less than the diameter of the vertical mounting hole so as to permit said stem to be inserted matingly downwardly into the commode mounting hole, said stem including first and second stem halves separated by first and second slots on opposite sides of the stem extending upwardly from the lower end of the stem, the lower extent of the stem halves each being defined by a planar follower surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the axis of the stem with the lower ends of the planar follower surfaces flaring outwardly from said axis of said stem;
(d) an elongated threaded member extending downwardly through said axial opening in said stem;
(e) a camming nut mounted on said elongated threaded member, said nut having its upper extent defined by first and second upwardly converging planar camming surfaces each oriented substantially parallel to and facingly engaging one of the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of said stem, the outer surface of said nut being dimensioned and shaped so as to permit said nut when on said elongated threaded member to be inserted downwardly through the mounting hole in the commode; and (f) means on the upper end of said elongated threaded member for effecting rotation of same whereby the planar camming surfaces on the camming nut engage the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of said stem to react therewith and prevent rotation of the nut which is consequently moved upwardly to force the stem halves apart into forceful contact with the mounting hole.
(a) a base member mountable on the top surface of commode;
(b) a pintle support arm extending upwardly from said base member and having seat and cover hinge elements mounted on a pintle carried on its outer end;
(c) an elongated hollow stem having an axial opening extending along its length and extending downwardly from said base member and having an outer generally cylindrical surface having a diameter less than the diameter of the vertical mounting hole so as to permit said stem to be inserted matingly downwardly into the commode mounting hole, said stem including first and second stem halves separated by first and second slots on opposite sides of the stem extending upwardly from the lower end of the stem, the lower extent of the stem halves each being defined by a planar follower surface oriented at an acute angle relative to the axis of the stem with the lower ends of the planar follower surfaces flaring outwardly from said axis of said stem;
(d) an elongated threaded member extending downwardly through said axial opening in said stem;
(e) a camming nut mounted on said elongated threaded member, said nut having its upper extent defined by first and second upwardly converging planar camming surfaces each oriented substantially parallel to and facingly engaging one of the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of said stem, the outer surface of said nut being dimensioned and shaped so as to permit said nut when on said elongated threaded member to be inserted downwardly through the mounting hole in the commode; and (f) means on the upper end of said elongated threaded member for effecting rotation of same whereby the planar camming surfaces on the camming nut engage the planar surfaces defining the lower extent of said stem to react therewith and prevent rotation of the nut which is consequently moved upwardly to force the stem halves apart into forceful contact with the mounting hole.
9. A toilet seat hinge and cover mounting assembly for attachment to a commode as recited in claim 8, wherein said planar follower surfaces are oriented in a plane at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the axis of the axial opening extending along the length of said hollow stem.
10. The toilet seat hinge mounting assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said stem halves include pressure ribs protruding outwardly from their outer surfaces.
11. The invention of claim 8, wherein said camming nut and said stem have substantially coextensive outer surfaces prior to actuation of said nut for displacing said stem halves outwardly.
12. A toilet seat hinge and cover mounting assembly for attachment to a commode as recited in claim 8, wherein said planar follower surfaces intersect and are oriented in a plane at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the axis of the axial opening extending along the length of said hollow stem.
13. A toilet seat hinge and cover mounting assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said stem halves include pressure ribs protruding outwardly from their outer surfaces.
14. The invention of claim 13, wherein said camming nut and said stem have substantially coestensive outer surfaces prior to actuation of said nut for displacing said stem halves outward.y.
15. A toilet seat hinge and cover mounting assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said stem is formed of high-density polyethelene, said bolt is formed of nylon and said camming nut is formed of polypropylene.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US37781782A | 1982-05-12 | 1982-05-12 | |
| US377,817 | 1982-05-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1144706A true CA1144706A (en) | 1983-04-19 |
Family
ID=23490637
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000408644A Expired CA1144706A (en) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-08-03 | Quick mount toilet seat-cover hinge |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1144706A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5361423A (en) * | 1989-06-14 | 1994-11-08 | Noetzold Norbert | Connecting element between WC seat/lid and WC bowl |
| USD377306S (en) | 1995-06-22 | 1997-01-14 | Dennis Decker | Quick-release hinge for toilet seat |
| US5598589A (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 1997-02-04 | Ideal Standard Spa | Hinge device for securing the seat and lid to a water closet pan |
-
1982
- 1982-08-03 CA CA000408644A patent/CA1144706A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5361423A (en) * | 1989-06-14 | 1994-11-08 | Noetzold Norbert | Connecting element between WC seat/lid and WC bowl |
| US5598589A (en) * | 1992-07-09 | 1997-02-04 | Ideal Standard Spa | Hinge device for securing the seat and lid to a water closet pan |
| USD377306S (en) | 1995-06-22 | 1997-01-14 | Dennis Decker | Quick-release hinge for toilet seat |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |