GB2511132A

GB2511132A - Toilet seats

Info

Publication number: GB2511132A
Application number: GB201303385A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anne Pauline Bater; Clive Bernard Waring Samuelson
Original assignee: DALU SOLUTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: DALU SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-26
Filing date: 2013-02-26
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Also published as: GB201303385D0; WO2014132017A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet seat comprising a seat portion 10, a lid portion 11 pivotally connected to the seat portion 10 and suction cups 14 carried by the seat portion 10 for releasable attachment of the seat portion 10 to a toilet bowl or pedestal. The suction cups may be operated by means of a lever (15 figure 4) or a screw mechanism (16 figure 5). Foamed rubber or plastic plugs may be fitted to the mounting holes of the pedestal. Foamed plastic pads may be attached to the underside of the seat portion to provide a cushioning effect.

Description

TOILET SEATS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to toilet seats.

Toilet seats typically comprise a seat portion, a lid portion pivotally connected to the seat portion and means for mounting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl or pedestal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved toilet seat, in particular, one that can be mounted more reliably and simply on the toilet bowl or pedestal.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a toilet seat comprising a seat portion, a lid portion pivotally connected to the seat portion and suction cups carried by the seat portion for releasable attachment of the seat portion to a toilet bowl or pedestal.

There may be two suction cups (though more may be provided if required) and each suction cup is preferably movable between a gripping condition and a release position on movement of an operating member. The operating member may be a lever or a screw mechanism, or any other form of twist, pull or push and lock type mechanism for moving a suction cup into its "fixing" position.

Most toilet bowls or pedestals are provided with holes for the attachment of conventional toilet seats and the toilet seat of the present invention may accordingly be used in combination with rubber or foamed plastic plugs that fit in the holes.

If desired, a plurality of foamed plastic pads may be attached to the underside of the seat portion to provide a cushioning effect and to ensure added stability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a plan view of a toilet seat according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the seat portion of the toilet seat of the present invention, Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of part of the seat portion, Figure 4 is a side view of part of the seat portion showing one form of operating member, and Figure 5 is a corresponding side view showing an alternative form of operating member.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The toilet seat shown in the drawings includes a seat portion 10 and a lid portion 11, which may be formed of wood or produced as plastic mouldings. The lid portion 11 is hingedly connected to the seat portion 10 for movement relative thereto between a closed position, as shown in Figure 1, and a raised position.

The seat portion 10 has a straight edge 12 parallel to the hinge axis and there are two spaced lugs 13 projecting from this edge. Each of the lugs 13 provides a mounting for a suction cup 14. Each suction cup 14 is movable between a gripping position and a release position and the arrangement is such that, to attach the toilet seat to a toilet bowl or pedestal, the toilet seat is moved into the required position, resting on the toilet seat bowl or pedestal and then the suction cups 14 are moved into their gripping positions.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, such movement of the suction cups 14 into their gripping positions is effected by pivotal movement of a lever 15 whereas, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, movement of the suction cups 14 into their gripping positions is effected by rotation of a handle 16 connected to an externally threaded shaft, i.e. by means of a screw mechanism.

As mentioned above, most toilet bowls or pedestals are provided with holes for the attachment of conventional toilet seats. Thus, before the toilet seat of the present invention is attached to the toilet bowl or pedestal, rubber or foamed plastic plugs can be fitted in the holes, if needed.

The toilet seat is moved into the required position for attachment to the toilet bowl or pedestal with the suction cups 14 in their release conditions, and a steady downward pressure is applied to ensure that there is firm engagement of the downwardly facing surfaces of the suction cups 14 with the upwardly facing surface of the toilet bowl or pedestal. The suction cups 14 are then moved into their gripping positions, by pivotal movement of the levers 15 or rotation of the handles 16.

When it is desired to clean the toilet bowl or pedestal, the toilet seat can readily be removed by moving the suction cups 14 into their release positions.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, there are just two suction cups 14, but a row of more than two suction cups may be used if so desired.

If desired, a plurality of foamed plastic pads (not shown) may be attached to the underside of the seat portion (10) to provide a cushioning effect. In addition, if desired, the front of the seat portion 10 may have a central gap (not shown) as is the practice in public toilets in the United States.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A toilet seat comprising a seat portion, a lid portion pivotally connected to the seat portion and suction cups carried by the seat portion for releasable attachment of the seat portion to a toilet bowl or pedestal.
2. A toilet seat as claimed in Claim 1, which includes two suction cups.
3. A toilet seat as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which each suction cup is movable between a gripping condition and a release position on movement of an operating member.
4. A toilet seat as claimed in Claim 3, in which the operating member is a lever
5. A toilet seat as claimed in Claim 3, in which the operating member is part of a screw mechanism.
6. A toilet seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a plurality of foamed plastic pads attached to the underside of the seat portion to provide a cushioning effect.
7. The combination of a toilet seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and rubber or foamed plastic plugs for fitment in the holes of a toilet bowl or pedestal.
8. A toilet seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amended claims have been files as followers: Claims:- 1. A toilet seat comprising a seat portion, a lid portion, a hinge mechanism pivotally connecting the lid portion to the seat portion and suction cups carried by the hinge mechanism for releasable attachment of the hinge mechanism to a toilet bowl or pedestal.2. A toilet seat as claimed in Claim 1, in which the suction cups provide the sole means for attachment of the hinge mechanism to the toilet bowl or pedestal.3. A toilet seat as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which there are two suction cups each of which is movable between a gripping condition and a release position on movement of an operating member.4. A toilet seat as claimed in Claim 3, in which the operating member is a lever *b *O 5. A toilet seat as claimed in Claim 3, in which the operating member is part of a screw mechanism. S..6. A toilet seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, * ..which includes a plurality of foamed plastic pads attached to the underside of the seat portion to provide a cushioning effect.7. The combination of a toilet seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and rubber or foamed plastic plugs for fitment in the holes of a toilet bowl or pedestal.8. A toilet seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.S S.SS..... * .S * .. **S * .* * S * * *0 * * * . *.