US20080235858A1

US20080235858A1 - Elevated toilet seat

Info

Publication number: US20080235858A1
Application number: US12/156,577
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard W. Schanz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-14
Filing date: 2008-06-03
Publication date: 2008-10-02

Abstract

An improved elevated hinged toilet seat with lid of simple construction and ease of installation.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of the U.S. patent application entitled “Elevated Toilet Seat”, filed May 25, 2007 and assigned Ser. No. 11/807,052; which is a continuation-in-part application of the provisional patent application entitled “Elevated Toilet Seat”, filed Aug. 14, 2006 and assigned Ser. No. 60/837,134.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to toilet seats. In particular, it relates to an improved elevated hinged toilet seat of simple manufacture and ease of installation.
2. Description of Related Art
Various toilet seats are known in the art. Cope, U.S. Pat. No. 1,164,927, issued Dec. 21, 1915, is directed to a stamped metal closet seat with a concave bottom and corresponding convex top seat surface (Col 1, lines 54-56 embossed to extend oppositely from their meeting plane). This Cope concave undersurface creates a hollow, which if not supported allows the lip edges of the seat to pass below the ridge of the toilet bowl. The Cope concave undersurface was therefore associated with lugs to elevate the bottom lip of the seat proximate the rim of the toilet bowl as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These lugs therefore do not elevate the top surface of the toilet seat in excess of approximately 2 inches above the toilet rim, but are approximately even with it as the Cope toilet seat undersurface has an interior lip, which extends slightly below the rim of the toilet bowl as shown in FIG. 2. To elevate Cope to the height of applicant's invention described below would require the lugs to be of an additional length of the cross-sectional thickness of the solid seat. This would result in lugs of a height which makes the mounted seat unstable, causing it to slide off the toilet bowl during use with possible injury to the user.
Further, the Cope concave undersurface associated with lugs is difficult to clean, presenting a sanitation problem. In addition, the Cope hinges with cast metal screws are unsightly and would place too much strain on the vitreous toilet bowl making it subject to braking. The Cope stamped sheet metal seat would also not be strong enough to support portly users, making it likely to bend. If made of cast metal to prevent bending, the cost and weight would be prohibitive. Nor is the Cope metal seat comfortable as it is cold to the touch.
Steadman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,050,472 issued Aug. 11, 1936 discloses another stamped sheet metal seat with cover of similar design as Cope. It therefore suffers from the same deficiencies discussed above.
Plonta, U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,566 issued Jul. 16, 2002 discloses a toilet seat lift kit method for elevating conventional toilet seats with lift blocks, which are attached to the bottom of the toilet seat. Toilet seats are generally made from one of two materials. Plastic toilet seats are made from a type of thermoplastic called polystyrene. The less expensive and more common type of toilet seat is made from a blend of wood and plastic. The wood is hardwood, usually maple or birch, which has been ground up into the consistency of flour. This wood flour is blended with a powdered plastic resin called melamine. Zinc stearate is a third ingredient in wooden toilet seats. This prevents the wood-resin mix from sticking to the mold in the manufacturing process.
Consequently, the Plonta kits require fasteners to affix the lift blocks to the toilet seat bottom surface, which may wobble or have difficulty being secured to the undersides of toilet seats. Toilet bowl rims are smooth and slightly convex and are about 1 inch to 1.5 inches wide. The Plonta kit blocks would very likely slide off the bowl rims. In addition relying on an adhesive or screws, or both, to secure them to the underside of the toilet seat is impractical. The toilet seat is generally a half to three quarters of an inch thick, which is too thin for screws, especially for the blend of wood and plastic seats. If screwed into the plastic seats, the seats are too brittle to provide a good hold.
They also are generally positioned toward the front and/or rear of the toilet seat, subjecting the toilet seat to extreme tensile breaking stress; particularly with the composite wood and plastic seats, which have no internal seat reinforcement structure. As elderly users are now heavier and heavier, the likelihood of injury from toilet seat breakage is present when the Plonta kit places front and real block mounting on the composite wood and plastic conventional seat.
Thom et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,838 issued Apr. 25, 2000 provides a toilet seat with raised hand arms to assist the infirm in rising there from. Ellis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,989 issued Jan. 20, 1998 discloses another toilet seat with raised barrel back arms to assist the infirm in rising there from. Both are designed for insertion into to hold onto the bowl of conventional toilets.
Jackson, U.S. Des. No. 390,931 issued Feb. 17, 1998 discloses an insertable raised toilet seat designed for insertion into and hold onto the bowl of conventional toilets. Hunt, U.S. Des. No. 489,438 issued May 4, 2004 discloses another insertable raised toilet seat designed for insertion into and hold onto the bowl of conventional toilets.
Harrison, U.S. Des. No. 291,348 issued Aug. 11, 1987 discloses a hinged elevated toilet seat with no lid.
Light, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,338 issued Oct. 12, 1993 discloses a toilet height conversion apparatus including a mounting block and a pivotally-connected raisable elevator onto which a conventional toilet seat is attached. It employs a double hinged seat and elevator construction, which is affixed to a conventional toilet rim. Bemis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,211 issued Jul. 22, 1980 discloses another toilet seat elevator device including a mounting block and a pivotally-connected raisable elevator onto which a conventional toilet seat is attached. It also employs a double hinged seat and elevator construction, which is affixed to a conventional toilet bowl rim. Locarno, U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,112 issued Apr. 6, 1993 discloses a raised superimposed toilet seat particularly of use for total hip arthroplasty patients. Locarno, U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,445 issued Jul. 2, 1991 discloses another raised superimposed toilet seat with a securing clamp. Smith et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,689 issued May 21, 1985 discloses a toilet seat usable for both handicapped and nonhandicapped users selectively raising either a conventional toilet seat or an elevated toilet seat, both hingedly attached to a toilet bowl rim.
Cited for general interest is Francke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,660 issued Mar. 9, 1993 disclosing a device for attaching a toilet elevator to the bowl of a toilet. Newcomer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,121, issued Jan. 31, 1967 discloses an anti-wobble hinge assembly for securing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl rim.
None of the above references provides a hinged elevated toilet seat of simple construction with lid that can be attached to the toilet bowl rim without modification, and in the conventional manner, by the user to provide a secure seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a hinged raised toilet seat for a toilet bowl having a rim surrounding its opening that can be attached to the rim. The toilet seat is sized to fit onto the rim of a toilet bowl and has a top with rounded edges associated with a flat planar bottom to form an elevated seat surface of solid cross section defining a center hole. The thickness of the toilet seat is dependent on the strength of the material from which it is constructed, with reinforcement internal structure required for materials, which lack tensile strength to support a user.
The toilet seat has a plurality of spaced around pedestals formed into its flat planar bottom, which contact the rim of the toilet bowl and raise the toilet seat approximately two or more inches, when mounted, to make it easier for a user sitting down and getting up. The number of pedestals is dependent upon the tensile strength and length of the toilet. The number required is reduced as the tensile strength of the toilet seat increases. Conversely, the number increases as the length of the toilet seat increases. For example, for solid plastic single piece construction, usually only two pedestals at the front of the toilet seat are required to hold the weight of a typical user. Two front pedestals are also only required for particle board seats with internal linear steel reinforcement structure. However, for longer toilet seat models or for heavy duty use, additional pedestals are symmetrically spaced around the flat planar bottom. The ends of the pedestals have rubber cushions on their bottoms to contact the rim of the toilet bowl and prevent slippage when in use.
The height of the pedestals varies, but is usually in excess of two inches, and typically is approximately three inches in height. However, the exact height is sized to provide an elevated height sufficient to make it easier for a user to sit down on and get up from the toilet seat. The exact height is also dependent on the weight of a user, as the higher the pedestal, the more it may wobble when used by a heavy user, necessitating lower pedestals or an increased number of pedestals to more uniformly distribute the user's weight along the rim of the toilet. (We may need this language to support a formula resizing the pedestals in the claims).
The pedestals and toilet seat are of unitary construction. A single piece toilet seat with pedestals provides a rigid construction, which will not come apart during use and is easy to clean. Single piece construction is also quicker to install, and avoids problems with shipping missing parts, or misplacement of parts during assembly.
The toilet seat is hingedly attached to the toilet bowl with an elevated hinge adapted to accommodate the lowered toilet seat to allow the seat to lie parallel to the rim of the bowl. It also has a lid also hingedly attached, which can be raised for use of the toilet seat. In one preferred embodiment for heavy duty use, the toilet seat is injection molded out of nylon or plastic with eight at least 2 inch high pedestals molded as integral parts of the seat.
In another preferred embodiment for use with standard users, the toilet seat is injection molded out of nylon or plastic with two approximately three inch high pedestals affixed to the front of the toilet seat opposite the hinges.
In still another preferred embodiment, the toilet seat is constructed out of composite wood and plastic embedded with internal steel reinforcement structure to provide sufficient tensile strength to minimize the number of pedestals required to spread the weight load of a user.
The hinged raised seat is used in the similar manner of a conventional toilet seat. The hinge connecting the lid and toilet seat is first affixed to the toilet bowl top via conventional fasteners. Then the hinged toilet seat and lid are either raised or lowered. The attached drawings and specification description provides more details of the device particularly adapted for use by the elderly.
The present invention is therefore particularly adapted to provide for the needs of the elderly who have trouble rising from a conventional toilet seat. It is inexpensive to make, is readily cleaned, and can be installed without special tools to raise the toilet seat height when attached to a conventional toilet bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred fastener.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the seat of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

One preferred embodiment of the elevated toilet seat 10 is shown in the attached drawings FIG. 1 (top view), FIG. 2 (side view). It comprises a raised toilet seat system 10, which has the surface 2 a of the toilet seat 2 raised approximately two inches to make it easier for sitting down and getting up. The toilet seat 2 is sized to fit onto the rim of a toilet bowl. It has a top surface 2 a with rounded edges associated with a flat planar bottom 2 b to form an elevated seat 2 of solid cross section defining a center hole 2 c as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a hinged lid 1 attached to a toilet seat 2 with eight integral two inch high pedestals 3 molded integral to its bottom 2 b to contact a toilet bowl when lowered for use. This embodiment is used to support very heavy users, or where the seat 2 is constructed of a material with lower tensile strength. The lid 1 has rubber cushions 1 a on the underside structured to contact the seat 2 and minimize banging, when the lid 1 is accidentally dropped. The ends of the pedestals 3 have rubber cushions 3 a on their bottoms to similarly cushion and provide better contact with the rim of a toilet bowl. The hinge 4 has a cover 4 a and connects the lid 1 and toilet seat 2 to the toilet bowl. It is raised and specially adapted to accommodate and position the raised toilet seat 2.
Use of pedestals 3 instead of other structures reduces the weight of the toilet seat 2 so that it can be lifted easily. The bottoms of the pedestal rubber cushions 3 a are made of a rubber or cushioning material designed to grip the top of the toilet bowl to prevent slippage as well as cushion forces when the lid is accidentally dropped.
Toilet lid fasteners 5 secure the hinge 4 of the seat 2 to the toilet bowl. Preferred fasteners 5 are shown in more detail in FIG. 3. They are a 5/16 inch×2 inch steel slotted head bolts 6 installed with the slotted head 7 down on each side of the hinge 4. A 5/16 inch×1 inch flat washer 8 is placed between the bolt head 7 and bottom of the toilet bowl hole on each side of the hinge 4. A 5/16 inch×V₂inch wedge rubber washer 9 is placed between the bottom of the hinge and the toilet bowl. A 5/16 inch×1 inch washer is placed between the nut 11 and the surface of the hinge 4 on each side, which centers the bolts 6 for securing with 5/16 inch nuts 11.
This elevated toilet seat system 10 is used in a similar manner as conventional toilet seats and avoids the need for separate seat elevator means. It readily adapts a conventional toilet for the needs of the infirm without expensive hardware. It also is lightweight and installed in the conventional manner without special tools.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an elevated toilet seat system 10 with two pedestals 3 molded as part of the undersurface of the open front seat 2 opposite the hinges 4. The seat 2 is constructed of injection molded plastic or nylon with significant tensile strength. The embodiment shown has a hinged lid 1 secured by the hinges 4, which also attach the seat 2 to the rim of the toilet bowl.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 showing the fasteners 4 attached to fasteners 5 similar to those shown in FIG. 3. The pedestals 3 have rubber cushions 3 a on their bottoms to better hold onto the rim of the toilet bowl.
Although illustrations FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show an open front round toilet seat 2, an elongated open front style is also contemplated for elongated toilet bowls as shown in FIG. 6. A closed front end seat 2 shown in FIG. 1 is also contemplated.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the open front seat at of the embodiment of FIG. 4. The hinges 4 are approximately 5½ inches apart. The length of the seat 2 is approximately 16⅛ inches, with a center opening of approximately 8⅜ inches. The width of the seat 2 is approximately 14¾ inches. The open front of the seat 2 is approximately 3½ inches wide. The pedestals 3 and hinges 4 elevate the height of the seat 2 approximately 3 inches.
In this embodiment 10, the toilet seat 2 is constructed of injection molded nylon or plastic with two front pedestals 3 approximately three inch high molded to the front of the toilet seat 2, opposite the hinges as shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment 10 is light weight, easy to clean, and has sufficient tensile strength to support most users.
In still another preferred embodiment 10, the toilet seat 2 is constructed of composite wood and plastic with internal steel reinforcement structure 12 embedded therein to add tensile strength as shown in FIG. 7. Steel reinforcement structure 12 may also project into the pedestals 3, if added strength is required. This embodiment is of unitary construction with the pedestals 3 molded as part of the toilet seat 2.
It also includes two additional pedestals 3 between the front pedestals 3 and the hinges as shown in FIG. 7 to spread the weight of a user and prevent cracking of the seat 2 by heavier users. For even heavier users, eight pedestals shown in FIG. 1 are employed. The number of pedestals is thus dependent upon the tensile strength of the seat 2 construction, its length, and the weight of the anticipated user.
The above description and specification should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The claims themselves recite those features deemed essential to the invention.

Claims

1. An elevated hinged toilet seat for a toilet bowl having a rim surrounding an opening comprising:

a. a toilet seat with a flat planar bottom, a top with rounded edges associated with the flat planar bottom to form an elevated seat surface of solid cross section, and an open or closed front defining a center hole sized to fit on a rim of a toilet bowl,

b. a plurality of pedestals integrally molded to the bottom of the toilet seat with cushions designed to grip the rim of the toilet bowl, the number of the pedestals dependent upon the tensile strength and length of the toilet seat, and the height of the pedestals selected to provide an elevated seat surface with minimal wobble during use,

c. an elevated hinge approximately the same height as the pedestals affixed to the toilet seat structured to hingedly secure the toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl so that the toilet seat will raise and lower so that when the toilet seat is lowered, the pedestals form multiple contacts with the rim of a toilet bowl to elevate and support the toilet seat at an elevated height to make it easier for a user to sit down on and get up from the elevated seat surface, and

d. a hinged lid with a top and underside sized to cover the toilet seat, when not in use, the lid affixed to the elevated hinge for raising and lowering.

2. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, including cushions on the underside of the lid structured to absorb contact with the seat to minimize banging when the lid is accidentally dropped.

3. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pedestals are symmetrically spaced about the bottom of the toilet seat.

4. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the toilet seat has an upper half molded out of one piece and a lower half with integrally molded hollow pedestals, which are joined together to form the toilet seat.

5. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the toilet seat and pedestals are molded out of one piece.

6. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the toilet seat is injection molded out of nylon, plastic, or similar material.

7. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the toilet seat is constructed of composite wood and plastic with internal steel reinforcement structure embedded therein to add tensile strength to provide a cleanable impervious surface.

8. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the pedestals are approximately equal to, or in excess of, two inches in height.

9. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, including fasteners associated with the elevated hinges to secure removably the elevated hinges to the toilet bowl rim.

10. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 9, wherein the fasteners comprise bolts with rubber washers for centering and screw nuts.

11. An elevated hinged toilet seat for a toilet bowl having a rim surrounding an opening comprising:

a. a molded toilet seat with

i. a flat planar bottom, a top with rounded edges associated with the flat planar bottom to form an elevated seat surface of solid cross section surrounding

ii. a center hole sized to fit on the rim of a toilet bowl, and

iii. a plurality of pedestals on the bottom of the toilet seat with cushion ends designed to grip the rim of the toilet bowl; the number of the pedestals dependent upon the tensile strength and length of the toilet seat, and the height of the pedestals selected to provide an elevated seat surface with minimal wobble during use;

b. elevated hinges approximately the same height as the pedestals affixed to the toilet seat to hingedly secure the toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl so that the toilet seat will raise and lower and the pedestals form multiple contacts with the rim when the toilet seat is lowered to elevate and support the toilet seat at an elevated height to make it easier for a user to sit down on and get up from the elevated seat surface; and

c. a lid with a top and underside sized to cover the toilet seat, when not in use, the lid affixed to the elevated hinge for raising and lowering and including cushions on the underside of the lid.

12. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 11, wherein there are two pedestals attached proximate the front of the toilet seat opposite the hinges, and the pedestals are approximately 3 inches in height.

13. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 12, wherein the toilet seat is constructed of injection molded plastic, nylon, or similar material.

14. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 11, wherein the toilet seat is constructed of composite wood and plastic with internal steel reinforcement structure embedded therein to add tensile strength to provide a cleanable impervious surface.

15. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 11, including fasteners associated with the elevated hinges to removably secure the toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl.

16. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 15, wherein the fasteners comprise bolts with rubber washers for centering and screw nuts.

17. An elevated hinged toilet seat for a toilet bowl having a rim with a front and rear surrounding an opening comprising:

a. an injection molded plastic, nylon, or similar material, toilet seat of one piece construction toilet seat with

ii. a center hole sized to fit on the rim of a toilet bowl, and

iii. a pair of pedestals on the bottom of the toilet seat with cushion ends designed and positioned to grip the front of the rim of the toilet bowl; the height of the pedestals selected to provide an elevated seat surface with minimal wobble during use;

b. an elevated hinge approximately the same height as the pedestals affixed to the toilet seat with fastener structure to hingedly secure the toilet seat to the rear of the rim of the toilet bowl so that the toilet seat will raise and lower and the pedestals form multiple contacts with the rim when the toilet seat is lowered to elevate and support the toilet seat at an elevated height to make it easier for a user to sit down on and get up from the elevated seat surface; and

c. a lid with a top and underside sized to cover the toilet seat, when not in use, the lid affixed to the elevated hinge for raising and lowering and including rubber cushions on the underside of the toilet lid.

18. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 17, the pedestals are approximately 3 inches in height.

19. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 17, including fasteners associated with the elevated hinges to removably secure the toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl.

20. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 19, wherein the fasteners comprise bolts with rubber washers for centering and screw nuts.