MXPA06011104A - Releasable toilet seat assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A mount assembly releasable mounts a toilet seat and cover to a toilet base. The assembly includes two fasteners permanently affixed to the toilet base engaged by deflectable arms of one or two base members of the mount assembly. The arms engage ring mounts disposed about the fastners, flexing outward slightly during mounting and dismounting achieved by a simple horizontal sliding motion. When connected, hinged covers snap onto the pair of arms to cover the fasteners and prevent deflection of the arms and thus separation of the base member(s) from the fasteners.

Description

RETRETE SEAT ASSEMBLY IBERAB E FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with the assembly of toilet seats and / or covers to the upper part of toilet bowls. More particularly, it is concerned with assemblies that allow most parts of the assembly to be easily separated from the toilet to facilitate cleaning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commonly, toilet seats and covers are sold pre-assembled together along a set of hinges. The assembly is then fixed via the hinged posts to a further extension of the toilet base behind the bowl. In such constructions, the posts are commonly bolted to the posterior extent using a bolt-like fastener extending through the extension. A nut is threaded onto the fastener from under the extension to hold the assembly to the extension. These assemblies are designed to be fixed essentially permanently to the base extension of the toilet, particularly since the assembly and removal requires the application of tools on the underside of the extension. This can create a problem because the Ref: 176088 area around such hinged posts (behind and under the cover and seat) can be difficult to clean completely. In this regard, urine and other contaminants can be collected around the hinged posts, with the subsequent development of an undesirable appearance or odor or unhygienic conditions. As such, there have been a variety of attempts to develop looped or toilet seat hinge assemblies wherein the seat or cover and associated pivot bolts can be removed from the toilet relatively easily and then (after cleaning) reconnected relatively easily. See, for example, U.S. Patents 4,159,548; 4,326,307; 4,965,889; 5,933,875; and 6,070,295, and British publication GB 2,280,219 A. These systems obtain better cleaning by leaving only small base posts essentially permanently fixed to the toilet base, while providing easily releasable assemblies that can be detachably linked with these posts. However, these prior art systems have a variety of deficiencies. For example, some rely on a relatively weak connection between the subset and base posts in such a way that the subset can accidentally be separated from the posts. Others rely on relatively weak parts that may have a high incidence of rupture in prolonged use. Still others require relatively complex multi-part assemblies which increase the cost of production and may require some consumer training. Still other sets require tools for disassembly for cleaning purposes. Still others require a consumer to touch portions of the assembly that may themselves be contaminated. From here, it can be seen that there is still a need for an improved toilet seat assembly assembly, particularly one that facilitates the removal of the seat and cover for cleaning purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a mounting assembly for connection to a cover element (eg, a toilet seat, a toilet cover or a toilet seat / cover combination) to a toilet base. The preferred mounting location is a horizontal upward facing surface of a rear extension of the toilet base behind the bowl. One aspect of the invention provides such an assembly having an extensible fastener through the rear extension of the toilet base and a base member adapted to pivotally support the cover having a substantially horizontal, flexing extension arm and an opening for receiving the Bra. The base element is connected to and disconnected from the fastener by deflection of the extension arm, in such a way that the base element can be detachably attached to the base of the toilet. In a preferred form, the base member may have a pair of essentially horizontal extension arms spaced apart, one or both being deflectable. Each extension arm may have an inward facing retention surface. The retaining surface (s) can be coupled with a fastener ring post portion. A threaded bolt can be secured to the base of the toilet by a nut below the base extension. The assembly may also include a cover element connected to the base element. In a first vertical position the cover allows the extension to deviate and in a second position downward or horizontal prevents the deviation of the extension arm (s), and by this the separation of the base element of the fastener. The base member can be releasably mounted to the toilet base by pivoting the cover to the down or centered position, the release being obtained by moving the cover back to the upright position. In the closed position, the cover hides the fastener from above. Each cover can be pivotally connected to the base element, preferably by means of an active engozne.

The cover can be moved by this to splice with the (the) extension arm (s) to prevent deviation. The cover can be positively coupled to the extension arm (s) as in an insert fit between coupling retaining elements. The assembly preferably includes a pair of fasteners that fit through a pair of holes in the posterior extension of standard toilet bowl bases. Thus, the base element would include two receivers that allow deflectable engagement with the fasteners. The receivers could be joined together in spaced relationship as part of a single base element or they could be part of two individual base elements. Thus, the present invention provides a quick connect / disconnect assembly for releasably attaching a toilet seat and cover to a toilet base. This assembly has two fastener assemblies essentially attached, permanently to the rear extension of the toilet bowl base in two spaced apart mounting holes. The other components of the assembly, ie the base element (s) and the toilet seat / cover can be completely separated from the toilet base to facilitate complete cleaning. The connection is a simple insertion joint connection. With the fasteners attached to the toilet base and the base element (s) attached to the toilet seat / cover, the base element (s) is inserted around the fasteners , for example by deflecting one or more of the extension arms and each cover is then moved to fix the deflectable arms.

This secures the connection and hides the fasteners for a more pleasant appearance. The toilet seat / cover can be removed by lifting the cover (s) and sliding the toilet seat / cover laterally from back to front. It will be appreciated that the assembly of the present invention has a variety of important advantages. First, it consists of few parts and can be manufactured in a non-expensive way. In addition, its operation mechanism does not require a consumer to touch an area of the assembly that is likely to be contaminated. In addition, the connection is solid, thereby preventing the undesirable accidental dislodging of the assembly. In addition, the parts can be formed to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The present invention allows a quick assembly and disassembly of the seat and cover of the upper part of the toilet base, without special tools or training. These and still other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description that follows. The claims must be interpreted in order to investigate the full scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a rear perspective view showing a toilet seat assembly assembly of the present invention mounted on a rear portion of the toilet base, with a cover member of the assembly assembly shown in FIG. an upward position; Fig. 2 is a partial detailed perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 1 showing a part of the enlarged assembly assembly; Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a partial side view of a part of the assembly assembly showing a cover assembly pivoted upwards, the cover member is also shown in dashed lines in a closed downward position, and Figure 6 is a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the toilet seat assembly assembly having two separate base elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to Figure 1, a toilet assembly 10 includes a conventional toilet base 12 having a bowl 14 with a seat 16 and cover 18 mounted to an extension 20 of the toilet base 12 in the part bowl rear 14. As shown in figure 3, the seat 16 and cover 18 have ears 22 and 23 each with a horizontal opening 24 (shown one) for receiving the pivoting shafts of latch bolts 26 and 27, respectively, for pivotally mounting the seat 16 and cover 18 for a pivoting along a horizontal axis parallel to the upper plane of the toilet base 12. The rear extension of the toilet base 12 has a flat top surface 28 with two vertical through holes 30 and 31. The through holes provide the site joining the toilet seat 16 and cover 18 to the base 12 of the toilet using the assembly assembly of the present invention, generally designated by the number 32 shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 2-5, the assembly 32 includes a base member 34 and a pair of fastener assemblies 36 and 37. The assemblies of fasteners 36 and 37 include threaded bolts 38 and 39 around which washers 40 and 41 and ring struts 42 and 43 are arranged, respectively. The bolts 38 and 39 fit the holes 30 and 31 in the rear extension 20 of the toilet base 12 from the top with the washers 40 and 41 and the ring struts 42 and 43 captured between the heads of the bolts 38 and 39 and the upper surface 28 of the rear extension 20. These components are secured to the toilet base 12 tightly by tightening the nuts 44 and 45 on the respective bolts 38 and 39 from the underside of the rear extension 20. Additional washers 46 and 47 can be included in the underside of the rear extension 20. The base member 34 has two receivers 50 and 51 that cooperate with the respective fastener assemblies 36 and 37 to releasably mount the seat 15 and cover 18 to the toilet base. The connection of the seat 16 and cover 18 to the base member is provided by an elongated support 52 with horizontal cavities 55 (shown one) that receive the stationary bodies of respective locknuts 26 and 27. The receivers 50 and 51 are spaced apart by from each end of the base support 52 to align with the fastener assemblies 36 and 37. Each receiver has a pair of arms 56 and 57 that extend horizontally backward from the base support 52. Within each pair, arms 56 and 57 are laterally spaced to define vertical openings 58 and 59, which open to the trailing edge of the receivers. The arms 56 and 57 define vertical side walls 60 and 61, which taper down from the base support 52, also as inwardly extending retaining surfaces 62 and 63. Two poles 64 and 65 project upward or slightly above the upper edge of the side walls 60 and 61 to posts 66 and 67. The covers 66 and 67 have flat panels that fold along active hinges 68 and 69 having openings 70 and 71 to fit around the respective posts 64 and 65. Each of the active hinges 68 and 69 allows each of the covers 66 and 67 to pivot between a vertical open position (as shown in Figure 5) and a horizontal closed position (as shown). in dashed lines in Figure 5) to secure or release the base member 34 in relation to the fastener assemblies 36 and 37, as will be described in detail hereinafter. The covers 66 and 67 have peripheries turned downwards 72 and 73- in their front part and sides to be superimposed on the arms 56 and 57. Small detents 74 and 75 on the external side of the arms 56 and 57 can be fitted in corresponding recesses 76 and 77 (see FIG. 4) when the covers 66 and 67 are closed (down) to positively engage the arms 56 and 57 in an insert fit. Referring generally to Figures 1-5, the assembly of the seat 16 and cover 18 to the base 12 of the toilet will now be described. It is contemplated that the assembly assembly 32 may be sold separately or as part of the seat 16 and cover 18. Either in one case or another., the base element 34 is attached to the seat 16 and cover 18 by mounting the lock pins 26 and 27 to the cavities 55 of the base support 52 and the respective openings 24 in the ears 22 and 23 of the toilet seat 16 and cover 18. Then this subassembly can be assembled and disassembled from the toilet base 12 as a unit. During initial assembly, the fastener assemblies 36 and 37 are mounted to the rear extension 20 of the toilet base 12 as mentioned above. A tightening tool, such as a wrench, can be used during initial assembly to securely fasten the fastener assemblies 36 and 37 to the base 12 of the toilet. Once secured, the fastener assemblies 36 and 37 remain mounted to the toilet base 12. The base element 34 and the seat 16 and cover 18 are attached to the fastener assemblies 36 and 37 to make the base member 34 (and seat and cover) slide horizontally from the front to the back with the covers 66 and 67 up. The retaining surfaces 62 and 63 of the arms 56 and 57 are less than the diameters of the ring struts 42 and 43. As such, the base member 34 (and seat and cover) are moved, the arms 56 and 57 they will deflect outwardly to make room to accept the ring studs 42 and 43 in the vertical openings 58 and 59. An outermost periphery in the upper part of the ring studs 42 and 43 (which are held downward by the heads of the bolts 38 and 39) will capture the arms 56 and 57 between the upper surface 28 of the rear extension 20 to receive the vertical movement of the base element 34. Also, the adjustment or fitting of the arms 56 and 57 around the uprights of Ring 42 and 43 is under pressure, such that there is little or no slope from the front or back or from side to side. To prevent inadvertent separation of the base member 74 (and seat and cover) from the fastener assemblies 36 and 37 (and thus the base 12 of the toilet), the covers 66 and 67 are pivoted down to the closed position to be inserted over the arms 56 and 57 and thereby resist the outward deflection of the arms 56 and 57. With the covers 56 and 57 facing down, the fastener assemblies 36 and 37 are concealed from the top of the toilet. This prevents debris from accumulating around the fastener assemblies 36 and 37 and improves the appearance of the overall assembly. The connection described is easily made without tools, it is still robust and unlikely to be inadvertently disconnected. When desired, such as during cleaning, the seat 16 and cover 18 (and base member 34) can be easily separated from the base 12 of the toilet. The covers 66 and 67 are raised up (the raised edges 80 and 81 make the covers 66 and 67 easy to hold) and the seat 16 or cover 18 (and base element 34) are pulled or slid straight (horizontally) as away from the fastener assemblies 36 and 37. With the covers 66 and 67 facing up, the arms 56 and 57 are free to deviate outward and thereby separate from the retaining surface 62 and 63 of the ring studs 42 and 43 As mentioned, with the seat 16 and cover 18 the base element 34 also goes and thus, the only components left attached to the toilet base 12 are the fastener assemblies 36 and 37. These assemblies 36 and 37 have a small footprint. , which leaves almost the entire upper surface 28 of the rear extension 20 of the exposed toilet base 12, thereby facilitating complete cleaning. Referring now to Figure 6, in an alternative embodiment, instead of a single unitary base element with two receivers, there may be two smaller separate base members 34A and 35A, each having its own pair of extension arms 56A and 57A, covers 66A and 67A and cavity (not shown) for the snap bolts. A center piece 90A would then fit between the two base elements 34A and 35A. Like before, the arms 56A and 57A are detachably coupled with the fastener assemblies 36A and 37A permanently secured to the toilet base. While preferred embodiments have been shown, a wide variety of changes can be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, while two deflecting extension arms are described for engaging with each fastener, a single arm could be used and / or only one arm can be deflectable while the other is rigid. In addition, although a toilet cover element including both a cover and a seat has been described, it will be apparent that various types or combinations of cover elements may be used. For example, it is not necessary that both be cover and seat. Already one or the other can be attached only if desired (for example, for a public bathroom only one seat is more typical). Thus, the claims must be interpreted in order to judge the plane scope of the invention.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention provides an assembly assembly suitable for attaching a toilet seat and / or cover to a toilet base. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, it is claimed as property contained in the following claims: 1. A set for mounting a cover to a toilet base, characterized in that it comprises: a fastener that is extension through a posterior extension of the toilet base, and a base member adapted to support the cover pivotably, the base member has a deflecting extension arm that extends essentially horizontally defining in part an opening for receiving the fastener; wherein the base element is connected to and disconnected from the fastener by deflection of the extension arm, such that the base element can be detachably attached to the base of the toilet. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension arm has an inward facing retention surface. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the base member has two such extension arms disposed spaced apart on each side of the opening. . The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes a cover able to restrict the outward deflection of the extension arm when it is in a closed position. The assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover is hinged to the base element. The assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover is linked to the base element via an active sleeve. 7. The assembly in accordance with the claim 4, characterized in that the cover engages positively with the extension arm. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a ring post arranged around the fastener engageable with the extension arm. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastener comprises a bolt that is extendable through the opening in the base element and a hole in the rear extension of the lavatory base and wherein the assembly further comprises a nut that can be placed over the bolt under the rear extension of the toilet base. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that there are two such fasteners and two such base elements. The assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the two base elements are joined together. 12. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover is selected from the group consisting of toilet seats, toilet seats and cned toilet seats and covers. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the base element can be coupled to the fastener via a substantially horizontal relative sliding movement.