EP2356930A2

EP2356930A2 - Hinge assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2356930A2
Application number: EP11152012A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zhou Wenhui
Original assignee: Zhongshan City Cumei Electric Appliance Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhongshan Meitu Plastic Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-02-10
Filing date: 2011-01-25
Publication date: 2011-08-17
Also published as: EP2356930A3; EP2356930A8; CN101766459A

Abstract

Hinge assembly (9) for releasable mounting of a seat assembly, the seat assembly being pivotable around a hinge axis. The hinge assembly comprises:
a hinge base (1) comprising a snap connector (11) and a lock (3) at least partially provided in a hinge body. The lock comprises a snap block (32) with a hole (33) wherein the hole is adapted to connect with the snap connector when the lock is in a locked position. The lock is connected to a spring (4) arranged to be compressed when the lock is displaced by means of pressure, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis. The lock is further provided with a first flexible clip piece (31a), adapted to engage with the rotating shaft (2), when the lock is in an unlocked position, in order prevent the lock from being reset, when pressure is removed from the lock.

Description

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for releasable mounting of a seat assembly on a toilet, the seat assembly being pivotable around a hinge axis, wherein the hinge assembly has a locked and an unlocked position, and wherein the hinge assembly comprises:

a hinge base comprising a snap connector, a lock at least partially provided in a rotating shaft, said lock comprising a snap block with a hole, said hole being adapted to connect with the snap connector, when the lock is in the locked position, the lock being connected to a spring arranged to be compressed when the lock is displaced by means of pressure, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis.

Most toilet seats and seat covers are mounted onto the toilet by means of screws and are not dismountable without the use of tools. In particular when cleaning the toilet, it is advantageous to be able to dismount the toilet seat and in an easy manner without needing any tools. In the prior art there are examples of hinges that can be dismounted without the need for tools, however, they do have some drawbacks which will be described further below.
W02008/031254 discloses a mounting bracket for a cover and seat for a toilet. A spring is provided between a button and a shaft. A stop lever, which passes through an elongate slot, engages with a shaft mounted on the toilet. When the bottom is pushed the spring force is counteracted and the seat and cover can be mounted and dismounted.
WO2010/022615 discloses an installation structure of a toilet cover assembly. A connecting block comprises a main body, a stop lever and a spring. A hole in the main body is provided for a positioning rod to enter. By pushing a button the stop lever is swung and the structure is moved to an open position and the toilet cover assembly can be mounted or dismounted.
One of the drawbacks of the prior art is that in order to remove the seat assembly (toilet seat and cover), it is necessary to press two buttons at the same time as often the seat assembly is attached in two points of attachment. These buttons needs to be pushed while at the same time the seat assembly is lifted of the toilet. The same applies when the seat assembly has to be mounted onto the toilet again. This is not always easy and may entail some uncomfortable lifting positions.
The object of the present invention is to provide a toilet hinge assembly with a simple mechanism to make installation/release of a seat assembly easy.
In view of this object, the lock is further provided with a first flexible clip piece, adapted to engage with the rotating shaft, when the lock is in the unlocked position, in order prevent the lock from being reset, when pressure is removed from the lock.
Because the flexible clip piece engages with the rotating shaft, the lock is not reset to the locked position when pressure is removed from the lock. Hence the lock can be unlocked and the seat assembly removed from the toilet without it being necessary to keep the pressure on the lock.
Below are the embodiments of this invention described:

According to a first embodiment a toilet hinge assembly is provided, including a hinge base which is installed on a toilet base and a rotating shaft which connects with a toilet seat, a snap connector is designed on the hinge base, while a hole is designed on a snap block which can connect with the snap connector, and one snap block is designed on a manual press lock which is installed on the rotating shaft, in addition, the manual press lock is designed in rotating shaft to snap-connecting with a spring, another one flexible clip piece is designed on the manual press lock, this clip piece can snap-connect firmly with rotating shaft to avoid that the manual press lock restored, also, one manual restore button is located in rotating shaft, this button can be pressed down to make the flexible clip piece away from the rotating shaft. This is one way of providing a toilet hinge assembly, where resetting of the lock to the locked position takes place in an easy manner.

The first flexible clip piece may further comprise a first projection and the rotating shaft may further comprise a first axial slot, with which the first projection can engage after the first flexible clip piece has entered another through hole in the first axial slot.
The rotating shaft may be provided with a hole which is in communication with the first and the second axial slot. The hole of the rotating shaft is for the snap connector to enter the rotating shaft. The communication between the hole of the rotating shaft and the first and second axial slot is for enabling the lock to get in contact with features of the lock.
The first and the second axial slot may further be adapted to receive the first and the second flexible clip piece, respectively. The flexible clip pieces are thereby mountable in the axial slots.
The inside of the first and the second flexible clip piece may further be provided with a first and a second plate tuber, respectively. The plate tubers may be used to reset the lock to the locked position without using the reset button.
The snap connector may further comprise a reset flange, wherein the diameter of the reset flange is bigger than the distance between the first plate tuber and the second plate tuber, wherein the reset flange, upon either removal from or insertion into the hole, the hinge assembly being in an open position, exerts a force on the first plate tuber and the second plate tuber resulting in the hinge assembly being reset to the locked position.
The plate tubers make it possible to reset the lock to the locked position only by inserting the snap connector and consequently the reset flange in the hole of the snap block. Hence it is not necessary to press the reset button to reset the lock.
In another embodiment the snap block is displaceable by introduction of a cone shaped head of the snap connector into the hole of the snap block, when the hinge assembly is in a locked position. Thereby it is not necessary to press the lock to unlock the hinge assembly. The cone shaped head can displace the snap block just by pressing the head against the edge of the small hole, also called the second end (of the hole of the snap block).
Furthermore, the lock may further comprise a lock stopper engaging with a shoulder in the rotating shaft in the locked position. This engagement prevents the lock from ejecting from the force from the spring.
The first and the second release rod may be adapted to press against the first and the second clip piece, respectively, by means of a first and a second inclined plane provided on the inside of the first and the second flexible piece, respectively, wherein the first and the second inclined plane are adapted to slide against a first and a second edge of the rotating shaft, respectively, forcing the first and the second release rod, respectively, apart.
Thereby the lock is reset to the locked position by pressing the reset button.
The rotating shaft may furthermore comprise a third axial slot, adapted to accommodate the snap block.
The snap block is thereby enclosed by the rotating shaft, which makes the hinge assembly easier to clean.
Moreover, the hole may be an elongate hole comprising a first end, also called a big hole, and a second end, also called a small hole, wherein the first end may be adapted for insertion or retraction of the snap connector and the second end may be adapted to connect with the snap connector.
This provides for a good connection between the snap connector and the lock as the first end of the hole of the snap block engages with a greater part of the snap connector than would be the case if the hole of the snap block merely were an elongate hole, where the engagement would be more limited.
The second end may additionally be tapered. This shape makes it easier for the cone shaped head to push past the second end and displace the lock when the lock is in the locked position.
The hinge assembly may further comprise a positioning pin provided at the centre of the end of the rotating shaft, wherein the one end of the spring is attached to the positioning pin and the other end is attached to the lock. This provides for easy mounting of the spring.
The hinge assembly may further comprise resistance means, such as hydraulics or a spring, for providing a soft close of a seat cover. In case someone drops the seat cover, it will not damage the seat or toilet.
According to a further embodiment the rotating shaft further comprises a second axial slot, the lock further comprises a second flexible clip piece and a second projection, the reset button comprises a first and a second flexible piece, wherein the first and the second flexible piece are slideable in the first and the second axial slot, respectively, the first and the second flexible piece comprises a first and second release rod, respectively, and wherein the first and second release rod are adapted to press against the first and second flexible clip pieces, respectively, when the reset button is pressed down.
Below are some of the advantages of the different embodiments.
During installation, when the manual press lock is pressed down, the spring get compressed and the clips of flexible clip piece slide to the bottom of axial slot and snap-connect it. Simultaneously the big hole on the snap lock located on the same axis as the hole, the snap connector of the hinge base can be inserted into the hole, then press the manual reset button, the manual press lock get reset under the compression of the spring and the small hole on the snap block moves up and snap-connects with the snap connector to finish the toilet seat installation; when removing the toilet seat, one just need to press the manual press lock to release. This simple mechanism makes toilet seat installation and release easier.
The invention will now be explained in more detail below by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

Fig 1. is a profile view of an embodiment of this invention
Fig 2. is an exploded view an embodiment of this invention.
Fig 3. is a section of a profile view of an embodiment of the lock and the manual reset button.
Fig 4. is a view of an embodiment of the rotating shaft.
Fig 5. is a cross section of an embodiment of the manual press lock and snap connection of the rotating shaft.
Fig 6. is a profile view of an embodiment of the hinge assembly on a toilet seat.

Figs. 1-6 show a toilet hinge assembly 9, including a hinge base 1 which is installed on a toilet base and a rotating shaft 2 which connects with a toilet seat, a snap connector 11 is provided on the hinge base 1, while the hole 33 is provided on a snap block 32 which can connect with the snap connector 11. The snap block 32 is provided on the manual press lock 3 which is installed on the rotating shaft 2. In addition, the manual press lock 3 is designed in the rotating shaft 2 to snap-connect with a spring 4, another one flexible clip piece 31a is provided on the manual press lock 3. This clip piece 31a can snap-connect firmly with the rotating shaft 2 to avoid the manual press lock 3 is reset. One manual reset button 5 is located in the rotating shaft 2. This button can be pressed down to disengage the flexible clip piece 31a from the rotating shaft 2.
One hole 21 is provided on the rotating shaft 2, and the axial slide slot 22 is designed to through-connect with the hole 21, the third axial slot 23 is designed next to the axial slot 22 and through connects with the hole 21. The snap block 32 is installed in the third axial slot 23 through sliding. The upper end of the hole 33 is the big hole 331 for inserting the snap connector 11 or pulling it out, while the lower end is the small hole 332 for snap-connecting with connector 11.
The flexible clip piece 31a on the manual pressing lock 3 can be slide in axial slot 22, another through hole 221 is designed on the axial slot 22. The flexible clip piece 31 can enter this hole, clip or projection 311a on the tip of the flexible clip piece 31a can snap with the axial slot 22.
There are two axial slots 22a, 22b designed on the rotating shaft 2. Two flexible clip pieces 31a, 31b are designed accordingly on the manual pressing lock 3; two flexible pieces 51a, 51b are designed on the manual reset button 5, the tips of flexible pieces can be slide-inserted in the axial slots 22a, 22b. The inclined plane 510 is designed on the inside of flexible piece 51a, 51b. This inclined plane can slide along the edges 222a, 222b or inside wall of the axial slots 22a, 22b positioned at the end of the rotating shaft 2. A release rod 511a is designed on the flexible piece 51a to disengage the projection 311a when the flexible clip piece 31a get pressed down, release rod leans on inside of flexible clip piece 31a located at the included angle between the flexible clip piece 31a and plate tuber 312a.
Operation process of the hinge assembly is disclosed below:

During installation, when the manual pressing lock 3 is pressed down, the spring 4 gets compressed and the clips or projections 311a, 311b of the flexible clip pieces 31a, 31b slide to the bottom of axial slots 22a, 22b, respectively and snap it. Simultaneously the big hole 331 on the snap lock 32 located on the same axis as the hole 21, the snap connector 11 of the hinge base 1 can be inserted into the hole 21. When the manual reset button 5 is pressed, the manual press lock 3 get reset under the compression of the spring 4, and the small hole 332 on the snap block 32 moves up and snap connects with the snap connector 11 to finish the toilet seat installation. When removing the toilet seat, one just need press the manual press lock 3 to release. This simple mechanism makes toilet seat installation and release easier.

Fig. 1 shows an assembled hinge assembly 9, wherein the snap connector 11 on the hinge base 1 is installed in the rotating shaft 2. The hinge assembly is in a locked position.
Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the hinge assembly 9. The snap connector 11 further comprises a reset flange 111. The reset flange 111 is able to reset the hinge assembly 9 either when it is inserted or removed from the hole 33. The reason for this is that the distance between the two plate tubers 312a, 312b are smaller than the diameter of the reset flange 111. Therefore when pressure is exerted on the plate tubers 312a, 312b, which are placed on the flexible clip pieces 31a, 31b, the first and second projection 311a, 311b disengages from the rotating shaft 2 and the lock 3 is reset to the locked position. If this happens during insertion of the snap connector 11 in the hole 33, this is not a problem because the snap connector 11 further comprises a cone shaped head 112. When the cone shaped head 112 is pressed into the small hole 332, the lock is displaced. Thereby the lock 3 is placed in an open position and the snap connector 11 can slide into place. The lock 3 is not displaced so much, such that the projections 311a, 311b snap connect with the rotating shaft 2. Instead the lock will reset to the locked position automatically due to the force from the spring 4.
The snap connector 11 is furthermore provided with a lock recess 113 which is the recess that engages with the snap block 32 in the small hole 332 in the locked position.
Fig. 3 shows the lock 3 and the reset button 5. The lock 3 comprises the snap block 32, which is provided with a hole 33 which is tapered at one end 332. It is furthermore shown that the positioning rod 511 is connected with the plate tuber 312.
Fig. 4 shows the rotating shaft 2 with the axial slots 22, the hole 21 for insertion of the snap connector 11, the third slot 23 for accommodating the snap block 32 and the positioning pin 24 for attachment of the spring 4.
Fig. 5 shows a cross section of the hinge assembly in an unlocked position. The figure shows that in addition to the features mentioned above, the rotating shaft 2 is also provided with a shoulder 26 that is adapted to engage with the lock stopper 36. The lock stopper 36 is provided on the lock 3. The shoulder 26 engages with the lock stopper 36 when the lock is in the locked position. The force from the spring pushes the lock stopper 36 against the shoulder 26. This feature ensures that the lock 3 stays put in the rotating shaft 2. The lock is furthermore provided with a cap 6. The figure furthermore shows that when the reset button 5 is pushed down the inclined plane 510 slides on an edge 222 of the rotating shaft 2 and causes the release rods 511 to push against the flexible clip pieces 31 which will disengage the projections 311 from the shoulders 27, respectively. The lock will then return to the locked position. It can additionally be seen that the plate tubers 312a, 312b projects a bit into the hole 21. This makes it possible for the reset flange 111 to press against the plate tubers 312a, 312b and reset the lock 3 to the locked position.
Fig. 6 shows the hinge assembly 9 mounted to a toilet seat where only the hinge base 1 has been indicated.
When the lock 3 is displaced the projections 311a, 311b will snap connect with the rotating shaft 2. For this purpose the rotating shaft is provided with shoulders 27a, 27b with which the projections 311a, 311b can connect, respectively.
In general, the features of the embodiments shown and described may be combined freely and no feature should be seen as essential unless stated in the claims. When refering to a feature refered to as "a" the same applies to the corresponding feature refered to as "b". When neither an "a" nor a "b" has been used but merely the reference number, this applies equally to the features refered to as "a" and "b". "Reset" and "restore" are both used and means the same. Likewise "manual press lock" and "lock" are used for the same feature and manual reset/restore button and reset button are used for the same feature. The use of the word "rotating" does merely mean that a feature, such as the shaft, is able to rotate.

Claims

Hinge assembly (9) for releasable mounting of a seat assembly on a toilet, the seat assembly being pivotable around a hinge axis, wherein the hinge assembly (9) has a locked and an unlocked position, and wherein the hinge assembly (9) comprises:
a hinge base (1) comprising a snap connector (11),

a lock (3) at least partially provided in a rotating shaft (2), said lock (3) comprising a snap block (32) with a hole (33), said hole (33) being adapted to connect with the snap connector (11), when the lock (3) is in the locked position, the lock (3) being connected to a spring (4) arranged to be compressed when the lock (3) is displaced by means of pressure, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis,

characterized in that the lock (3) is further provided with a first flexible clip piece (31a), adapted to engage with the rotating shaft (2), when the lock is in the unlocked position, in order prevent the lock (3) from being reset, when pressure is removed from the lock (3).
Hinge assembly (9) according to claim 1, further comprising a reset button (5) for disengaging the first flexible clip piece (31a) from the rotating shaft (2).
Hinge assembly (9) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first flexible clip piece (31a) further comprises a first projection (311a) and the rotating shaft (2) further comprises a first axial slot (22a), with which the first projection (311a) can engage after the first flexible clip piece (31a) has entered another through hole (221) in the first axial slot (22a).
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating shaft is provided with a hole (21) which is in communication with the first and the second axial slot (22a, 22b).
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second axial slot (22a, 22b) is adapted to receive the first and the second flexible clip piece (31a, 31b), respectively.
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inside of the first and the second flexible clip piece (31a, 31b) are further provided with a first and a second plate tuber (312a, 312b), respectively.
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the snap connector (11) further comprises a reset flange (111), wherein the diameter of the reset flange (111) is bigger than the distance between the first plate tuber (312a) and the second plate tuber (312b), wherein the reset flange (111), upon either removal from or insertion into the hole (33), the hinge assembly (9) being in an open position, exerts a force on the first plate tuber (312a) and the second plate tuber (312b) resulting in the hinge assembly being reset to the locked position.
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the snap block (32) is displaceable by introduction of a cone shaped head (112) of the snap connector (11) into the hole (33), when the hinge assembly (9) is in a locked position.
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lock (3) further comprises a lock stopper (36) engaging with a shoulder (26) in the rotating shaft (2) in the locked position.
Hinge assembly (9) according to claim 5, wherein a first and a second release rod (511a, 511b) of the first and the second flexible clip piece (51a, 51b), respectively, are adapted to press against the first and the second clip piece (31a, 31b), respectively, by means of a first and a second inclined plane (510a, 510b) provided on the inside of the first and the second flexible piece (51a, 51b), respectively, wherein the first and the second inclined plane (510a, 510b) are adapted to slide against a first and a second edge (222a, 222b), respectively, of the rotating shaft (2) forcing the first and the second release rod (511a, 511b), respectively, apart.
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotating shaft (2) further comprises a third axial slot (23), adapted to accommodate the snap block (32).
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hole (33) is an elongate hole (33) comprising a first end (331) and a second end (332), wherein the first end (331) is adapted for insertion or retraction of the snap connector (11) and the second end (332) is adapted to connect with the snap connector (11).
Hinge assembly (9) according to claim 12, wherein the second end (332) is tapered.
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge assembly (9) further comprises a positioning pin (24) provided at the center of the end of the rotating shaft (2), wherein the one end of the spring (4) is attached to the positioning pin (24) and the other end is attached to the lock (3).
Hinge assembly (9) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising resistance means, such as hydraulics or a spring, for providing a soft close of a seat cover.