GB2285461A

GB2285461A - Toilet/commode seat

Info

Publication number: GB2285461A
Application number: GB9425235A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shuko Yumino; Yoichi Nakata; Shinichi Kataoka
Original assignee: PIGEON KK
Current assignee: PIGEON KK
Priority date: 1993-12-16
Filing date: 1994-12-14
Publication date: 1995-07-12
Also published as: KR950016633A; GB9425235D0

Abstract

A toilet/commode seat comprises a ring 2, having a central aperture elongated in a direction from front to rear, and includes a lower central portion and raised front and rear portions, to form a seat positioning portion for a user to sit appropriately thereon. The front portion includes an upwardly extending support member 3 for a user to grasp. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION TITLE OF THE INVENTION COMMODE SEAT AND ADAPTER COMMODE SEAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved commode seat and detachable adapter commode seat to be utilized by such people as little children, the old, or the sick.

An example of a conventional commode seat and an detachable adapter commode seat of this type is shown in Fig. 27. A detachable adapter commode seat comprises a generally oval, ringlike body 72 elongated in a direction from front to rear, and a handled support member 73. The detachable adapter commode seat 70, the body 72 of which is smaller than such a usual commode seat as a western style seat(not shown), is mounted on the commode seat.

A little child, for example, sits astride on the body 72 and then evacuate the bowels.

According to this type of commode seat, however, as is shown in Fig. 27, the top surface of the ring-like body 72 is generally flat. Accordingly, when a little child uses this type of detachable child adapter commode seat mounted on the adult commode seat, he or she often sits on an inappropriate place thereon because there is no indication or guide for him to sit on the proper place on the flat surface of the child seat.

As mentioned above, such a conventional detachable adapter child seat has problems in not only that a small child evacuates the bowels upon sitting on an inappropriate place thereon, thereby gets the seat and the surrounding thereof dirty, but also that he or she cannot acquire the proper habit of evacuating with respect to the posture and the place he or she sits down.

Further, the fore-end of the ring-like body on which the support member 73 is mounted is flat and in this respect, the maximum height of the support member, however higher it may be, is limited inexperienced users, like little children who grasp the support member, sit with an unbalanced stoop on the seat. In this regard, not only little children but also the aged people, similarly, often get the commode seat such as the room commode seats( hereinafter referred to as "chamber pot") dirty when they use them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been achieved to solve the above problem. It is an object of the present invention to provide a commode seat and a adapter commode seat, wherein the users can sit, in a balanced position, on the appropriate place of the detachable adapter commode seat to be mounted on the commode seat.

To attain the above object, the present invention provides a commode seat and an adapter commode seat, wherein the adapter commode seat, having a generally oval, ring-like body elongated in a direction from front to rear, and a support member mounted on the fore-end of the body, at least the upper surface of the central region of the body being curved to the base with respect to the longitudinal axis, and at least the upper surface of the ring-like body having a fore-end and a rear-end, both of which being formed to gradually rise from the central region to the both ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.l is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the adapter commode seat according to the present invention.

Fig.2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the adapter commode seat according to the present invention.

Fig.3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the adapter commode seat according to the present invention.

fig.4 is a sectional view as viewed in the direction of arrow A-A in Fig.3 showing the inclination of the top surface of a body.

Fig.5 is an illustrative view showing the commode seat shown in Fig.l in use.

Fig.6 is a schematic side view of the commode seat shown in Fig.l adapted to a chamber pot.

Fig.7 is a side view of the second embodiment of the adapter commode seat according to the present invention.

Fig.8 is an illustrative view showing the commode seat shown in Fig.7 in use.

Fig.9 is a fragmentary rear view showing a mount structure of the first embodiment which mounts the adapter commode seat according to the embodiment of the present invention to a western style commode seat and the like.

Fig.lO is an enlarged fragmentary view of the mount structure shown in Fig.9.

Fig.ll is a side view of the mount structure shown in Fig.9.

Fig.l2 is a side view showing a mount structure of the second embodiment which mounts the adapter commode seat according to the embodiment of the present invention to a western style commode seat and the like.

Fig.13 is a bottom view of the mount structure shown in Fig.l2.

Fig.14 is a bottom view of the modified mount structure shown in Fig.12.

Fig.15 is a fragmentary rear view showing a mount structure of the third embodiment which mounts the adapter commode seat, according to the embodiment of the present invention, to a western style commode seat and the like.

Fig.16 is a side view of the fount structure shown in Fig.15.

Fig.l7 is a bottom view of the mount structure of the fourth embodiment which mounts the adapter corrode seat, according to the embodiment of the present invention, to a western style commode seat and the like.

Fig.l8 is a bottom view of the mount structure of the fifth embodiment which mounts the adapter corrode seat, according to the embodiment of the present invention, to a western style commode seat and the like.

Fig.19 is a side view of the second embodiment of the adapter commode seat according to the present invention.

Fig.20 is a perspective bottom view of the adapter commode seat shown in Fig.l9.

Fig.21 is a bottom view of the adapter commode seat of Fig.l9 showing the mount means arranged thereunder.

Fig.22 is a perspective view of a mount strip constituting the front mount means of the adapter commode seat shown in Fig.19.

Fig.23 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view of a receiving member constituting the front mount means of the adapter commode seat shown in Fig.19.

Fig.24 is a side view of the front mount means of the adapter commode seat of Fig.l9 useful to explain the engagement operation thereof.

Fig.25 is a perspective view of a mount strip constituting the rear mount means of the adapter commode seat shown in Fig.l9.

Fig.26 is a perspective view of the adapter commode seat of Fig.l9 showing the mounting condition thereof.

Fig.27 is a perspective view of one example of a conventional adapter commode seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

While the instant invention has been shown and described with specific reference to embodiments presently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out the invention in actual practice, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in adapting the invention to different embodiments without departing from the broader inventive concepts disclosed herein and comprehend by the claim which follow.

Fig.l and Fig.2 illustrate perspective views of the first embodiment of the adapter commode seat according to the present invention, wherein Fig.l shows the perspective view from the front and Fig.2 shows the same from the rear.

Fig.3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the adapter commode seat, wherein the left side shows the front thereof.

In the following explanation, with respect to the word "front to rear direction" of the adapter commode seat and the ring-like body in terms of the drawings therein, except in the case of specific explanation, "the front" refers to the direction to which the supposed users' faces are facing when they sit upright on the seat, while "the rear" refers to that of the opposite direction.

In addition, "the upper" and "the lower" are referred to as the directions on the basis of the users.

Referring to those figures, a commode seat 10, unlike the prior art, includes a generally oval, ring-like body 2 having a central aperture therethrough, elongated in a direction from front to rear. Body 2 is curved upward about the lateral axis(not shown) above the body 2, and a half ring shaped support member 3 is attached to the body 2 at the vicinity of the front end portion thereof.

Under the ring-like body 2 is arranged a flange shaped base 4 to which the body 2 is attached at a central region thereof, so that the base 4 stably support the commode seat 10.

In this embodiment, foregoing ring-like body 2, support member 3, and base 4 are integrally formed; for example, the ring-like body 2 and the base 4, may be made of polypropylene, formed by injection molding, while the support member 3, made of polyethylene, is formed by blow molding. Thus, resin materials are varied depending on the portion of the structure with a view toward improving formability, manufacturing performance such as cost, easiness to handle, and the like, corresponding to the shape and the function of each portion.

Further, each material corresponding to the respective component must be kept clean. In this regard, those materials are required to have the characteristics of not only chemical-proof, but also somewhat strong and flexible in terms of convenience of handling.

In this embodiment, such materials, other than the abovementioned materials, as polypropylene and ABS(acrylonitrile butadien styrene) can be preferably used for the support member 3, while polyethylene, ABS, and the like, may be made for the ringlike body 2.

The support member 3 is half ring shaped according to the drawings, however, the shape thereof is not restricted so long as the users can grasp.

As shown in Fig.3, the ring-like body 2 of the commode seat has a central portion 5 which most protrudes to the bottom with respect to the front-rear direction. The central portion of the commode seat 10 also represents a seating portion for users to sit thereon. The curvature of the ring-like body 2, having the bottom at the central portion 5, inclines with a gentle curvature upward at a front portion 6 and a rear portion 7.

The rear portion 7, as will be mentioned later, serves as a position determining portion for the users to sit on the proper place of the commode seat 10.

The support portion 3 is erected at the front end of the front portion 6, which is higher than the central portion 5.

It is noted that the curvature of the curved body 2 is not necessarily definite.

Fig.5 illustrates one example of the commode seat 10, used as an adapter commode seat adapted to an adult commode seat.

In this case, the commode seat 10 is fixed at the base 4 to the commode seat of the adult commode, thereby being stably placed thereon. A little child P1, a user, sits upright on the commode seat 10, grasping the support member 3 with his hand.

Specifically, the child P1 sits on the seating portion (central portion) 5 of the body 2 of the commode seat 10. In this case, the child P1 sits on the commode seat 10 with his buttocks and back being supported by the rear portion 7, the position determining portion, which is higher than the central portion thereof.

Therefore, the child P1 can be automatically seated on the seating portion 5, the central portion of the body 2.

In this regard, it is preferable, from a stand point of human engineering, that the R-curve of the body 2 be determined according to the users.

Additionally, as shown the A-A sectional view of Fig.4, both sides of the top surface of the body 2 are formed to gently incline downward toward the outside. In this way, the child P1 can sit in a comfortable position with his crotch L, a seating portion, naturally fitted to the surface of the body 2. In this case, it is necessary that the specific tilt angle of the body 2 be determined depending on size and physique of such users as children or old people. For example, too much tilt angle would cause an unstable seating position of the users on the commode seat. For this reason, the tilt angle must be determined on the basis of such results as a monitor in accordance with each product.

Fig.6 illustrates an example adapting the commode seat 10 according to this embodiment to "a chamber pot".

An excreta receptive vessel 11, adapted to a chamber pot 15, has at least a central aperture on a top surface thereof. The size of the aperture of the vessel 11 is the same as, or smaller than, that of the base 4, so that the bottom of the base 4 can completely cover the aperture of the vessel 11 when the commode seat 10 is placed and secured on the top surface of the vessel 11. In this way, an offensive smell cannot leak from the vessel 11.

As shown in Fig.6, the vessel 11 includes a drawer 12 having a pull 13 therewithin. The drawer 12 can be pulled out from the vessel 11 by use of the pull 13, so that excreta disposal can be easily performed and a clean chamber pot can be obtained.

Further, the users can sit in a comfortable position on the optimum place because the chamber pot 15 utilizes the commode seat 10. Therefore, unlike the prior art, this embodiment of the present invention works well for avoiding the situation of scattering excreta outside the commode seat due to the users' inappropriate sitting thereon.

Fig.7 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the commode seat according to the present invention.

A commode seat 20 according to this embodiment is different from the foregoing commode seat 10 as shown in Fig.l through Fig.3 in a pedestal 21 disposed at the bottom of the body 2.

Preferably, the pedestal 21 is integrally formed with the body 2. More specifically, the pedestal 21 is flange-like shaped so that at least a portion thereof projects, at the bottom of the base of the body 2, outwardly from the circumference of the body 2.

Further, the body 2, on the whole, is thickly formed so as to increase the volume in a vertical direction, whereby the distance between the top surface of the base 2 and the top surface of the pedestal 21 becomes large. In this way, as shown in Fig.8, in the case of adapting the commode seat 20 to be positioned on the commode seat 26 of a western style commode 25, this embodiment has the following effect. That is, it is understood from the Fig.8 that the little child P2, sitting on the commode seat 20, has his two legs positioned on the top surface of the pedestal 21.Thus, the little child P2 can be seated on the commode seat 20 with his two legs put on the top surface of the flange-like pedestal 21, grasping the support member 3 with his hands; therefore he can comparatively easily and automatically set the upper part of his body upright by use of the reaction force to the stepping strength of his two legs, thereby allowing the child to stably sit on the commode seat like adults do.

As will be apparent, since the curvature of the surface of the body 2 is formed in the same manner as that of the second embodiment, the little child P2 can be seated on the optimum place of the body 2. Still more, the little child P2 can evacuate the bowels in a stable seated posture, with his two legs positioned on the pedestal 21, like adults do, and accordingly this embodiment is suitable for the small child P2 to learn a proper evacuating posture.

Next, mount structures which mount the adapter commode seats according to the aforementioned embodiments to the commode seats of the commodes and the like will now be described. The mount structures mentioned hereinafter will be adapted in common to the foregoing first and second embodiments.

Fig.9 through Fig.ll show a mount structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig.9 is a rear view of the commode seat 10 showing a principal portion of the mount structure. The commode seat 10 is mounted to the commode seat 26 of a conventional western style commode, e.g. as shown in Fig.8.

On an inner peripheral surface of the base 4 (or pedestal 21) disposed under the ring-like body 2, at least one pair of vertical panel 31, 31 are fixed.

As shown in Fig.10, at the neighborhood of the lower end of each vertical panel 31, a feed screw or a ball screw 32 is rotatably fixed, in an outward direction, through washer 33, thereby allowing a nut 34 to slide in a left-right direction according to Fig.10. The upper end portion of the nut 34 abuts the inner peripheral surface of the ring-like commode seat 26 of the western commode. As the nut 34 moves in a rightward direction according to Fig.10, the nut 34 is pressed on the inner peripheral surface of the commode seat 26, and accordingly the adapter commode seat 10 can be securely fixed to the commode seat 26 of the western commode.

On the other hand, preferably, as shown in Fig.11, at the rear end of the base 4 of the commode seat 10, an angle-like latch member 35, curved in a leftward direction according to Fig.ll, is mounted. By fitting the latch member 35 to the lower surface of the commode seat 26 of the western style commode, a rearward slippage of the commode seat 10 can be effectively avoided.

Fig.12 through Fig.l4 show a mount structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig.12, a flange-like base 4 of the commode seat 10 includes a slope portion 4a having a slight tilt to the inward thereof, the overlapping portion on which the base 4 is positioned the commode seat 26 of the western style commode. As shown in Fig.13, a bottom view of the mount structure, an appropriate number of vacuum suckers 4b are mounted on the lower surface of the slope portion 4a. The base 4 is sucked by the sucking force of the sucker 4b and thereby fixed to the top surface of the commode seat 26. Accordingly, in the case of using the suckers, it becomes more easier to fix the adapter commode seat 10 to the commode seat 26 of the western style commode than to fix the same thereto by use of screw and the like.

Further, as shown in Fig.l4, the same latch member 35 as shown in Fig.11 may be mounted on the rear end of the base 4 so that a rearward slippage of the commode seat 10 can be avoided.

Fig.15 and Fig.16 show a mount structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig.15, a pair of right and left angle-like latch members 35, 35 are mounted, with their horizontal portions outwardly extending, respectively, on both sides of the inner peripheral portion of the base 4. Each horizontal portion of the latch member 35 is fitted on the lower surface of the commode seat 26 of the western style commode. Hereupon, as shown in the figures, the angle-like latch member 35, formed by somewhat elastic material, is deformed enough to be secured to the commode seat 26.

As shown in Fig.l6, a crooked latch member 36, a tip of which rearwardly extending, is mounted on a lower surface of the rear end of the base 4. On the other hand, on a lower surface of the rear end of the commode seat 26 of the western style commode, is mounted a receiving member 37 which fits the latch member 35 thereinto. In this way, it is also easy in this embodiment to fix the adapter commode seat 10 to the commode seat 26 of the western style commode without using any tool.

Fig. 17 shows a bottom view of the mount structure of the fourth embodiment.

In this case, the mount structure is adapted to a commode seat 26 of the western style commode, generally U-shaped, open to the front end.

As shown in the Fig.17, at the rear end portion of the base 4 of the commode seat 10, a generally U-shaped, engaging member 43 is mounted to the outer peripheral surface of the base 4.

Specifically, the engaging member 43 is mounted by bolts 42 and nuts 41 to the body 2, with a predetermined interval therebetween.

Thus constructed, the commode seat 10 is fitted, in an arrow direction(in a direction from front to rear), around the commode seat 26 by use of the foregoing interval. Then, by screwing the nut 1, the commode seat 26 is held to be secured between the engaging member 43 and the body 2.

According to the mount structure as described in this embodiment, the adapter commode seat 10 can be easily mounted to the commode seat 26 of the western style commode simply by fitting the commode seat 10 around the commode seat 26 and then tightening the nut 41 screwed on the screw 42.

Fig.l8 shows the mount structure of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig.18 is a bottom view of the mount structure, wherein a pair of ring-like members 45, made of elastic material, such as, rubber, are mounted to each side of the base 4 of the commode seat 10.

On the other hand, the engaging member 35 as mentioned above is mounted on the rear end of the base 4.

Mounting of thus constructed adapter commode seat 10 to the commode seat 21 of the western commode will now be described.

First, the engaging member 35 is hooked on the inner peripheral end of the commode seat 26, and then the adapter commode seat 10 is pushed down (in a direction from reverse to front side of the paper according to the Fig.18), compulsory inserting the elastic members 45 between the outer peripheral surface of the base 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the commode seat 26 of the western style commode.

According to the mount structure of this embodiment as described above, the adapter commode seat 10 can be easily mounted to the commode seat 26 of the western style commode without using any tool.

Hereinbefore, embodiments of adapter commode seat adapted to an adult commode seat of the western style commode have been described in detail. It is, however, to be understood that the present invention is by no means restricted to the illustrated embodiments; the adaption of the adapter commode seat to the commode seat of the Japanese style commode may of course be possible.

Fig.l9 and Fig.20 illustrate the second embodiment of the detachable adapter commode seat according to the present invention.

Fig.19 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the adapter commode seat according to this invention, and Fig.20 shows a perspective view thereof.

In these figures, an adapter commode seat 60, unlike the conventional one, includes a generally oval, ring-like body 62 having a central aperture therethrough, elongated in a direction from front to rear, said body 62 is gently curved upward about the lateral axis(not shown) above the body 62, and a half ring shaped support member 63 attached to the body 62 at the vicinity of the front end portion thereof.

Further, as shown in Fig.19, inside the ring-like body 62, is integrally formed therewith a wall portion 64 extending downwardly from the top surface of the body 62, defining a determined space therewithin.

In this embodiment, foregoing ring-like body 62, the support member 63, the wall portion 64 are integrally formed; for example, the ring-like body 62 and the base 64, made of polypropylene, are formed by injection molding, while the support member 63, made of polyethylene, is formed by blow molding. Thus, resin materials are varied depending on the portion of the structure with a view toward improving formability, manufacturing performance, such as, cost, easiness to handle, and the like, corresponding to the shape and the function of each portion.

In this embodiment, such materials, other than the above mentioned materials, as polypropylene and ABS(acrylonitrile butadien styrene) can be preferably used for the support member 63, while polyethylene and ABS and the like for the ring-like body 62.

As shown in Fig.l9, the ring-like body 62 of the adapter commode seat 60 has a central portion 65 which most protrudes to the bottom with respect to the front-rear direction. The curvature of the ring-like body 62, having the bottom at the central portion 65, inclines with a gentle curvature upward at a front portion 66 and a rear portion 67.

The support portion 63 is erected at the front end of the front portion 66, which is higher than the central portion 65.

It is noted that the curvature of the curved body 62 is not necessarily definite.

Mount means 55, 56 for mounting the adapter commode seat 60 to a commode seat of a western commode(not shown) are mounted to the outer side surface of the wall portion 64 and the lower(reverse) surface of the ring-like body 62.

The mount means includes the front mount means 55 mounted to the adapter commode seat 60 at the front portion thereof, and the rear mount means 56 mounted to the adapter commode seat 60 at the rear portion thereof. As shown in Fig.21, each mount means 55, 56 are symmetrically mounted to the ring-like body 62, forming a pair, with respect to an imaginary central line C extending in a direction from front to rear.

As will be apparent, a pair of the front mount means 55, 55, for example, are mounted to the commode seat of the western commode at the front portion of both sides thereof. Incidentally, a pair of the rear mount means 56, 56 are mounted to the commode seat of the western commode at the rear portion of both sides thereof.

On the contrary, the ring-like commode seat 62 with the mount means 55, 56 mounted on the central line C at the front and rear end thereof, when mounted on a generally U-shaped, front opening type commode seat of the western style commode, has a problem in that the front end of the adapter commode seat 62 cannot be secured to the commode seat.

What is more, in the case where a flush nozzle for flushing excrement are positioned adjacent to the rear end of the commode seat of the western commode, corresponding to the portion where the rear mount means supposed to be mounted, the adapter commode seat 60 cannot be mounted.

Mounted the mount means 55, 56. the adapter commode seat 60 of this embodiment can be adapted to be securely mounted to any type of commode seat of the western style commode without any problems as described above.

Next, the structure of the mount means 55, 56 will now be described in detail.

Fig.22 illustrates a mount strip 57 of the front mount means 55 mounted to the adapter commode seat 60 according to this embodiment.

The mount strip 57 is molded out of synthetic resins such as elastomer of polyethylene or polypropylene, two of which constituting a set thereof as shown in the Fig.22.

As shown in Fig.22, for example, the mount strip 57 is formed like a block, a side portion 57a thereof having an R-curved surface which corresponds to the inner peripheral surface of the commode seat of the western style commode, and accordingly the R-curved surface is also referred to as abutting surface.

A holding portion 57b protruding outward is formed adjacent to the lower end of the abutting surface 57a. In addition, an engaging portion 57c, extending upwardly, is formed on the upper surface of the mount strip 57.

As shown in Fig.22, the engaging portion 57c includes three guide grooves 57d, 57e, and 57f upward extending, formed in a row, from the top surface of the mount strip.

Fig.23 and Fig.24 illustrate a structure of a receiving member 58 formed on the lower surface of the body 62 of the adapter commode seat 60. According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig.23, the receiving member 58 comprises a rectangular recess, molded integrally with the body 62, which outward extends almost in a diametral direction of the ring-like body 62. The inner length of the receiving member(rectangular recess) 58 is sufficiently longer than that of the mount strip 57, while the width of the inner length of the receiving member 58 is slightly longer than that of the engaging portion 57c of the mount strip 57.

In addition, a pair of protruding strips 58a, extending in a depth direction, is mounted respectively on both sides of the inner wall of the receiving member 58. In this way, in the case where the engaging portion 57c of the mount strip 57 is inserted into the inside of the receiving member 58, the protruding strips 58a are fitted into the guide grooves 57d, 57e, and 57f, and accordingly the mount strip 57 is positioned and in turn engaged with the receiving member 58.

Accordingly, the abutting surface 57a of the mount strip 57 is allowed to be moved in a diametrical direction of the ring-like body 62, by selecting a guide groove out of 57d, 57e, or 57f to be engaged with the protruding strip 58a of the receiving member 58 As will be apparent from the description above, the position of the mount strip 57 can be easily adjusted according to the bore of the commode seat of the western style commode to which the adapter commode seat 60 is adapted.

Fig.25 shows a mount strip 59 of the rear mount means 56, two of which constituting a set thereof.

The mount strip includes a hook shaped elastic engaging strip 59a at the upper portion thereof. The engaging strip 59a is to be hooked on the receiving portion(not shown) of the receiving member 61 formed to the ring-like body 62.

As shown in Fig.25, the mount strip 59 includes an R-curved abutting surface 59b extending downward from the lower end of the engaging strip 59a. The abutting surface 59b is molded so as to correspond to the inner peripheral surface of the commode seat of the western style commode to which the adapter commode seat 60 is adapted. More specifically, the mount strip 59 includes a member having the abutting surface 59b molded integrally with the body of the mount strip 59 at the base thereof, with the other end of the member, mounted the engaging strip 59a thereon, forming a free end with a slight spring. In addition, at the lower end of the mount strip 59, is protruded to form a holding portion 59c which is held to abut the lower surface of the commode seat of the western style commode.

Mounting of the adapter commode seat 60 according to this embodiment, constructed as described above, to commode seat of the western commode will now be described. As shown in Fig.26, the adapter commode seat 60 is mounted at the rear end thereof, first, to commode seat 82 of the western style commode 81 by the mount strip 59 of the rear mount means 56. During this period, while the abutting surface 59b of the mount strip 59 is resiliently pressed on the inner peripheral surface of the commode seat 82, the holding portion 59c of the mount strip 59 passes under the commode seat 82 and, in turn, abuts the lower surface thereof.

Next, selection is done with respect to an appropriate guide groove, corresponding to the bore of the commode seat 82, out of 57d, 57e, or 57f of the mount strip 57 to be engaged with the protruding strip 58a. In this way, the mount strip 57 is positioned with respect to the diametrical direction of the ringlike body 62, and thereby the position of the mount strip 57 can be easily adjusted according to the bore of the commode seat of the western style commode to which the adapter commode seat 60 is adapted.

As will be apparent, the adapter commode seat 60 in this embodiment can be easily and securely mounted to the commode seat 82 of the western style commode 81, without using any screw and the like, simply by use of the front mount means 55 and rear mount means 56. Further, the position adjustment of the front mount means 55 can be very easily performed.

Furthermore, since the front mount means 55, 55 are mounted to the adapter commode seat 60, as shown in Fig.21, it is easy to mount the adapter commode seat 60 to the commode seat 82.

Still more, the rear mount means 56, 56 are mounted not to the rear end portion of the adapter commode seat 60 but to the side portions thereof as shown in Fig.21. Accordingly, in the case where a flush nozzle for flushing excrement are positioned adjacent to the rear end of the commode seat 82 of the western commode 81, there is no problem in that the flush nozzle would be in the way of mounting the adapter commode seat 60 thereto.

Incidentally, according to the adapter commode seat of this embodiment, unlike the conventional ones, the mount means are not made of such materials as metal, and accordingly molding can be easily performed thereby reducing the cost of production.

Hereinbefore, one embodiment of the mount means adapted to the adapter commode seat comprises the mount strip and the receiving member for receiving the mount strip has been described in detail.

It is, however, to be understood that the present invention is by no means restricted to the illustrated embodiment; e.g., a mount means including a projecting strip formed on the lower surface of the ring-like body 62 of the adapter commode seat 60, while a recess portion, for receiving said projecting strip formed on the mount strip 57, may of course be possible.

As is understood from the above description, according to the present invention, the adapter commode seat includes a central portion which most protrudes, with a gentle curvature, to the bottom with respect to the longitudinal direction to define a seating portion, so that users such as children can be automatically seated on the seating portion thereof.

Thus, the user can be seated on the appropriate place of the adapter commode seat. Further, since the support portion is erected at the front end of the front portion, which is higher than the central portion, the user can sit upright on the commode seat, grasping the support member with his hand, with his buttocks and back being supported by the position determining portion.

On the other hand, according to another present invention, the ring-like body of the commode seat includes a central portion which most protrudes to the bottom with respect to the front-rear direction, at least the top surface of the ring-like body inclining with a gentle curvature upward at a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the mount means includes the receiving member formed at the front and rear portions beneath the ring-like body other than the front and rear ends thereof, and the engaging strip fitted into said receiving member. The effects of the construction according to another invention are as follows.

That is, much like the first embodiment, the adapter commode seat includes a central portion which most protrudes, with a gentle curvature, to the bottom with respect to the longitudinal direction to define a seating portion, so that users such as children can be automatically seated on the seating portion thereof.

In the case where the adapter commode seat including the mount means as described above, there is no such problem as the ring-like body of the adapter commode seat is unstably positioned on the commode seat of the western style commode.

Further, since the mount means is constructed so that the mount strip is fitted into the receiving member of the ring-like body, the mount strip, unlike the conventional one, can be easily mounted to and removed from the ring-like body of the commode seat without using any element such as bolt and nut.

Accordingly, it will not be necessary to insert metallic material and the like to a molding die, enabling the production to be much easier.

In the case where either one of the mount strip or the receiving member, both of which are elements of the mount means of the adapter commode seat, includes a projecting strip, while the other includes a plural of guide grooves for selectively receiving said projecting strip, wherein the mount strip is mounted in a diametrically slidable relationship relative to the ring-like body, the mounting position of the mount strip can be easily changed.

Therefore, the adapter commode seat can be easily adapted to any size of the commode seat of the western style commode and provides ready ease of mounting thereof.

As will be understood from the foregoing description, the commode seat according to the present invention enables a user to always be seated on the proper place of the commode seat and provides the user with a comfortable seated posture.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the adaptable commode seat can be easily and efficiently manufactured, thereby reducing the cost, and easily mounted to the commode seat of the western style commode.

Claims

1. A seat for a commode or toilet, the seat comprising: a ring-like body, waving a central aperture therethrough, elongated in a direction from front to rear; a top surface of said ring-like body including a central portion projecting downwardly with respect to a longitudinal direction to forn a seating portion; a top surface of said ring-l.ke body ascending rearwardly at a rear portion relative to said central portion to form a seat positioning portion for a user to appropriately sit thereon; and a top surface of said ring-lie body ascending frontwardly at a ront portion relat ;e to sai central portion, said front portion including a support member for a user to grasp extending upwardly therefrom.

2. A commode seat as recited n claim 1, wherein said ringlike body comprises a top surface, t least both sides of said top surface descending outwardly.

3. A commode seat as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pedestal, at least a partial periphery c said pedestal protruding from a periphery of said ring-like body, extending from or mounted to said ring-like body.

4. An adapter seat for a corrrnode or toilet, the seat ccmprising: a ring-like body, having a central aperture therethrough, elongated in a direction from front to rear; a top surface of said ring-like body including a central portion projecting downwardly with respect to a longitudinal direction to form a seating portion; a top surface of said ring-like body ascending rearwardly at a rear portion relative to said central portion to form a seat positioning portion for a user to appropriately sit thereon; a top surface of said ring-like body ascending frontwardly at a front portion relative to said central portion, said front portion including a support member for a user to grasp extending upwardly therefrom; and a mount means for mounting said adapter seat to a seat or a western style czrnale or toilet wherein said mount means including a receiving member formed on a lower surface of said ring-like body at the front and rear portions thereof other than the front and rear ends thereof, and a engaging strip to be mounted to said receiving member.

5. An adapter seat as recited in claim 4, wherein said mount strip of at least said front mount means is mounted in diametrically adjustable relationship relative to said ring-like body.

6. An adapter seat as recited in claim 4, wherein said mount means includes a mount strip and a receiving member mounted on a lower surface of said ring-like body, said receiving member having a recess for receiving said mount strip, wherein said mount strip is detachably mounted to said receiving member.

7. An adapter seat as recited in claim 4, wherein said mount means includes a count strip and a receiving member, either one of said mount strip or said receiving member including a projecting strip while The other including a plural of guide grooves for selectively receiving said projecting strip, wherein the mount strip is adapted to Be mounted in a diametrically slidable relationship relative to the ring-like body.

A . commode or toilet seat suhsta..t 3ll as hereinitore described With reference to rigs. 1 to 26.