GB2531597A

GB2531597A - A Toilet Seat Assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2531597A
Application number: GB1418911.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walker Catherine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-24
Filing date: 2014-10-24
Publication date: 2016-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-10-24
Also published as: GB2531597B; GB201418911D0

Abstract

A toilet seat assembly comprises a toilet seat 3 having a toilet bowl attachment means 2 and a toilet bowl interface 32. The bowl attachment means comprises hinge attachment 33 between the toilet seat 3 and toilet bowl (4, Fig 2). The toilet seat 3 comprises a solid form which defines a substantially planar upper face 35 and a substantially planar lower face, wherein the faces are joined by sides extending around and between the faces and wherein the interface 32 comprises said sides at least in part. The interface 32 is a continuous lip depending downwardly when the lid is orientated in a down position upon the toilet bowl. In the down position, the lip 32 depends below the top surface of the toilet bowl as shown in Fig 6b.

Description

A TOILET SEAT ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toilet seat assembly, in particular an assembly for seats for such as or ceramic porcelain toilets with bowls; more particularly but not exclusively a means of ensuring that the seat remains clean and useful on the bowl.

Background

Increasing awareness of health and hygiene in many societies and amongst many users has meant that most user wish to maintain clean and hygienic toilet conditions.

In societies using a bowl-based toilet system, a seat and lid are common so as to 15 close the bowl and prevent odours exiting and dust and dirt entering, as well as providing a neater aspect for other users of the rest room.

The seat and lid typically attach to the toilet at a ledge to rear of the bowl, wherein an attachment means operates by a pair of bolts through the seat, lid and ledge. The seat and lid connect at a hinge, wherein the hinge is contained in a unit with the bolts and held on the ledge by nuts. The hinge allows a user to lift the lid alone, seat and lid or seat alone.

The seat and lid have studs to contact subordinate surfaces and prevent excessive 25 or unhygienic contact.

Unfortunately when used the seat is often liable to pull against the attachment means and cause damage to the hinge or bolts or ledge, as well as creating small and variable dimensioned capture areas for bacteria or urine, which cannot be easily 30 cleaned given movement.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve 35 the problem or similar, including the following: German patent application DE 10 005 695 (HANKE) discloses a block for preventing toilet seats from sliding sideways is attached to the seat by two screws. These are inserted into a slot in the block which allows it to be adjusted so that a lip fits over the toilet bowl. The recess for the screws is covered with a hygienic cap. A block is fitted to each side of the seat at the front.

United States patent application US 5 212 840 (CALDWELL) discloses a device for stabilizing a toilet seat in its desired position atop a toilet bowl, comprising at least one restraining means connectable to the bottom of the toilet seat for preventing lateral movement of the toilet seat relative to the toilet bowl, wherein the restraining means extends downward into the toilet bowl so as to rest immediately adjacent to an upper inside rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is in its lowered position and further comprising a tapered portion on the restraining means to guide the toilet seat onto the toilet bowl, a substantially level portion connectable to the bottom of the toilet seat to support the toilet seat and to connect the toilet bowl while separating the toilet seat from the toilet bowl when the seat is in the lowered position, and an edge portion located between the tapered portion and the level portion that is substantially perpendicular to the level portion and that is substantially parallel to the inside edge of the toilet bowl when the seat is in the lowered position, to stabilize the toilet seat by preventing lateral movement.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a toilet seat assembly comprising: a toilet seat having a toilet bowl attachment means and a toilet bowl interface; the toilet bowl attachment means comprising a hinge attachment between the toilet seat and toilet bowl, the toilet seat comprising a solid form defining a substantially planar upper face and a substantially planar lower face, wherein the faces are joined by sides extending around the faces; and wherein the interface comprises said sides at least in part.

Typically the seat is composed of a single moulded part in synthetic plastics such as polyethylene or similar. In some embodiments the seat comprises a wooden part or parts, having a glossy finish and minimal joints or connections. In this way the seat is 35 composed as a wipeclean, hygienic whole.

The faces are to either side of a standard shaped toilet seat, wherein the upper face is where a user sits and the lower face is towards the bowl.

Typically the assembly further comprises a lid, which lid closes over the seat in use, and which lid comprises a substantially planar solid plate having an analogous toilet bowl attachment means to the seat, and further arranged to have a toilet seat covering configuration, wherein said configuration ensures that the lid covers the seat wholly or substantially in plan view.

Advantageously the attachment means is arranged to allow the seat, and where appropriate lid, to hinge up from or down to the bowl. In some embodiments the attachment means comprises a known soft-close hinge mechanism.

The sides consist of outers and inners, wherein the outers may comprise extensions 15 of the upper face and the inners may comprise extensions of the lower face.

The inner side(s) surround(s) the central lacuna of the toilet bowl, wherein the outer side(s) surround(s) the outside of the bowl.

Some embodiments may have both inner and outer sides, for example wherein two depending forms extend from the seat in a substantially parallel arrangement. These sides may be configured to bound the bowl.

Preferably at least some of the interface depends towards the bowl, wherein the bowl 25 has a top surface, interior surface and exterior surface, and the interface contacts or includes one or all of the surfaces.

In preferred embodiments the sides contact the outer face of the bowl, advantageously in order that the seat contacts or is close to contact with the bowl in 30 a lateral dimension, and is consequently less liable to move laterally in use.

In some embodiments in addition or the alternative the sides contact the inner face of the bowl. Advantageously the sides may depend into the interior of the bowl, wherein the sides prevent splashing onto the lower face of the seat.

Advantageously the interface further comprises adjustment options, in or prior to use. For example such options may comprise studs that project from the inner side or lip. Such studs may be telescopic, progressive or resiliently deformable. Such studs may be displaceable.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view from below of an embodiment of the assembly according to the present invention with lid opened; Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of the assembly shown in Figure 1 installed on a toilet; Figure 3 shows a view from below of the embodiment on a toilet as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4a shows an isometric view from above of the assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 4b shows an isometric view from above of the assembly on a toilet as shown 20 in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a isometric view from below of the assembly on a toilet as shown in Figure 2; Figures 6 show a front view of the assembly as shown in Figure 1 and assembly on toilet as shown in Figure 2, respectively; Figures 7 show side views of the assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 show plan views of the assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows an exploded isometric view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; And Figure 10 shows an exploded isometric view from above of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown a toilet seat assembly comprising a toilet seat 3, seat lid 1 and attachment means 2.

The attachment means comprises two bolts 20, which pass through the bowl ledge, having nuts 21 for securement to the lip. The attachment means further comprises two hinges 33 interposed between and having barrel parts attached to tabs 12,13, the tabs configured for securement to the lid and seat respectively by adhesive and/or screw fitting, wherein the barrel parts include a joining pin.

The lip further includes channels 36, for spacers 34, which spacers include a T shape end 37 and extending body 38 wherein the end slides into the lip and the body extends therefrom radially towards the bowl in use, spacing the lip therefrom. In some embodiments said spacers may be telescopic, adjustable or configured for progressive engagement onto the bowl.

The lid and seat are both attached in use to a toilet as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4b, 5 and 6b in a hinged arrangement as common to known toilet seats and lids. In this way the assembly may be retrofit to any existing toilet and consequently in some embodiments the attachment means contains sufficient adjustment for different toilet bowls and toilets, for example wherein the bolts are variable in length, or positioning.

The hinged arrangement is composed of a hinge in the attachment means, wherein the attachment means is located in use on the ledge to rear of the toilet bowl and pedestal 42. The cistern 41 is further attached to the ledge.

The seat and lid are formed of synthetic plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyethylene.

The seat and lid are joined by the attachment means at two screwthread members, 35 passing through the seat, lid, and toilet ledge and attached by distal nuts.

The lid and seat include closure studs 11,31 respectively comprised ideally of a resiliently deformable material so as to cushion closure. Said studs in other embodiments may be hard glossy plastic for hygiene purposes and acting to space a majority of the seat or lid from subordinate surfaces.

Otherwise the seat and lid provide continuous glossy wipeclean surfaces, so as to aid in maintenance of hygiene.

The seat includes a continuous lip 32 forming the sides, that extends around a majority of the bowl and depends from the attachment means so as to run at a lower height around the bowl. The lip depends substantially from the seat face 35, comprising a continuation of the upper surface thereof to the outer of the seat sides, and a continuation of the lower surface of the seat to inner of the sides, wherein the lip in use depends below the bowl's top surface.

Such lip comprises the interface of contact between the bowl and seat, wherein the lip further includes inner channels 36, for spacers 34, which spacers include a T shape end 37 and extending body 38, wherein the end slides into the channel and the body extends therefrom radially towards the bowl in use, spacing the lip therefrom.

The bodies are ideally formed in a resiliently deformable material, which material allows some movement of the seat against the bowl.

In some embodiments said spacers may be telescopic, adjustable or configured for progressive engagement onto the bowl.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum 35 dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A toilet seat assembly comprising: a toilet seat having a toilet bowl attachment means and a toilet bowl interface; the toilet bowl attachment means comprising a hinge attachment between the toilet seat and toilet bowl, the toilet seat comprising a solid form defining a substantially planar upper face and a substantially planar lower face, wherein the faces are joined by sides extending around the faces; and wherein the interface comprises said sides at least in part.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the seat is composed of a single moulded part in synthetic plastics such as polyethylene or similar.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the assembly further comprises a lid, which lid closes over the seat in use.
4. An assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the faces are to either side of a standard shaped toilet seat, wherein the upper face is where a user sits and the lower face is towards the bowl.
5. An assembly according to claim 1 to 4 wherein the interface comprises a depending lip.
6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the lip is formed to an inner side by a continuation of the lower face.
7. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein the lip is formed to an outer side by a continuation of the upper face.
8. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the interface further comprises adjustment options, in or prior to use.
9. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the interface comprises studs that project inwardly from the sides.
10. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the adjustment options comprise telescopic parts.
11. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the adjustment options comprise progressive interface.
12. An assembly according to claim 8 wherein the adjustment options comprise resiliently deformable parts.
13. An assembly according to any preceding claims comprising a hinged lid.
14. An assembly according to any preceding claims comprising a toilet.
15. An assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.