US2032257A - Lock-on toilet seat hinge - Google Patents

Description

3936. w. A. CARMICHAEL LOCK-QN TOILET SEAT HINGE Filed Nov. 12, 1931 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE to C. F. Church MI:- 00., C

hicopee, a

corporation of Massachusetts Application November 12, 1931, No. 534,583 16 Claims. (01. 1-236).

This invention relates to hinges for pivotally mounting water closet seats on toilet bowls. Toilet bowls are usually made of porcelain and the surfaces and dimensions thereof are somewhat irregular and subject to minor variations. In clamping the'hinges to the porcelain bowls it commonly happens that the spacing between the part of the hinge which is stationary and secured to the bowl and the part which swings with the seat is greater than is necessary for reasonable mechanical clearance with the result that the assembled parts have an unsightly and unattractive appearance.

It is one of the objects of this invention to maintain the proper relative position between the stationary part of the hinge and the movable part thereof regardless of differences in dimensions encountered in the porcelain of the bowl.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and rugged hinge device which may be readily installed and will not easily get out of order. 'It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device that can be assembled in the simplest manner possible and in the minimum time.

These and other objects of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art to which it ap pertains by a consideration of the following description of difierent embodiments thereof taken inv connection with the accompanying drawing in which,

Fig, 1 is a plan view partly in section of a toilet seat and hinge, embodying one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of a hinge post; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a modified form of construction.

Referring to the drawinglmore in detail the reference character ll designates a toilet bowl having arearwardly extending shelf through which extend a pair of apertures l2. A toilet seat is shown at 13 and has a rearwardly extending portion 14 with oppositely disposed lateral edges l5 and I6. Extending transversely between these edges a hole I! may be provided into which may be screwed, or molded therein in laminated structures, or otherwise suitably secured, a rod or stem 18 the outer ends of which are threaded for a purpose to be presently described. It may be desirable, particularly in case the stem is molded in place, to provide it with annular or longitudinal corrugations for more firmly anchoring it. Such a. construction is shown in Fig. 4 in which stem 18a is provided with a plurality of ribs llb extending longitudinally of the, stem I10. and between which the. material used for cementing together the thin strips of wood may 5 enter as indicated at 80. The strips of wood I80. are held together by the cementing material as indicated at 18s It is obvious that if desired the stem [8 may be in two parts and not extend from side to side. Each edge may be pro- 10 vided with a. hinge plate [9 having an aperture 20 therein 0! a diameter slightly larger than the stem 18. Surrounding the aperture 20, each plate is may be provided with a conical or beveled seat 2!. Extending laterally from each 15 plate I9 is a pin 22 adapted to fit tightly in a hole 23 provided in the seat l3. The upper end of the plate has a laterally extending pintle 24 for plvotally supporting a. toilet seat cover. The method of supporting such seat cover is no part 20 of the present invention and no further description thereof is necessary although a more complete description of a similar structure may be found in the patent issued to Bert O, Tllden on Dec. 4, 1917. Number 1,248,949. 25

A stud or nut is shown at 25 and is drilled and tapped for threading on the stem l8. One end of the nut 25 is faced as at 28 to fit the seat 2|. The stud or nut 25 also has a circumferentially disposed or annular groove 21. The nut is most 0 conveniently made in cylindrical form with a tapered or conical end portion as indicated at 4| and in such form may be provided with flattened portions 28 to which a wrench may be applied.

Each hinge post 29 may comprise an upper body 35 member 30 having a horizontal cylindrical socket 3| therein and a lower portion with a threaded aperture 22 for the reception of a stud bolt 33. Each stud bolt passes through one of the apertures 12 and is secured in position by a wing nut 34, a 40 washer 25 usually being interposed between the nut 34 and the bowl II. It is also common to provide cushion washers (not shown in the drawing) of rubber or other suitable material on the bolt 33 both above and below the bowl I I. A smaller 45 aperture 38 extends from the bottom of the aperture 32 into the socket 3|. Disposed in this aperture and suitably connected with the bolt 33 is a pin 31. The dimensions of the parts are such that when assembled the pin 31 enters into the annular groove 21 and while permitting rotative movement between the nut 25 and the socket 3| effectually prevents movement between such parts in a direction axially of such pivotal mounting.

.As shown in Fig. 2 the lower end of the pin 31 not in the V thetapered end' ll operation.

may be provided with a collar or shoulder 38 which is slidably mounted in an opening'39 provided in the end of the stud bolt 33. A compression spring' lll disposed between the bottom of the opening 39 and. the shoulder 38 tends to force the pin 3'linto the groove 21 tends to yield if the friction becomes excessive. The end oi the stud bolt 33 around the opening 39 maybe swaged or spun over to close the opening partly and thus to provide a housing which serves to retain the pin 31 and the spring as in place when the parts are assembled In Fig. 3. a modification pin 31a is an integral part of a bolt 33a and the bers 30 are in theira'ssembled positions with respect to thenuts 25, then the bolts 3301. are screwed" the rest of the way 'so that the pins 31a'rest' in" the annular grooves 21. Each-hinge post is' then resilient connection therebetween is dispensed with. Otherwise the construction of Fig. 3 issimilar to that of Figs. 1 and 2.

In assembling the parts the seat and seat cover (if there is a seat cover) are united with the pirates i9 and secured in place by Ineans'of the nuts 25. The upper members 30 of ithe-hinge posts are then slipped over the nuts 25;" In the form or the invention shown in Fig.2 when the pin 31 reaches the'end of the nut. 25 the'tapered end thereof forces the pin back against the spring and permits the relative movement to continue until the pin snaps into the annular groove 21. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, the stud bolts 33a are screwed only partway into the. threaded apertures 32 until after the 'members '30 are assembled with the 'nuts 25. When the mem securely held or locked against longitudinal movement and the arrangement may *be appropriately characterized as a lock-on toilet 'seat hinge. After this part of the assembly is' completedthe stud into the apertures I2 andtightened in place by means of the wing nuts 34."

It should be notedthat the longitudinal posi-' tion. of the hinge post'2-9 along thenut 25 is debolts 'may be inserted 11. A hinge fora" waterfcloset'seat. comprising a member adapted tobe secured to a 'water closet bowl and having a"cylin'dricalis'ocket. therein, a pintle adapted to be secured a water closet seatextending into saidsocket and'having an annular groove therein; and a pin in said member 'extending radially into said groove and resiliently held in "place whereby said pintle isfree to rotate but constrained against longitudinal movement, the end of said-pintle being tapered to permit assembling of said member and said pintle with the resiliently held pin'in place. 7

2. -A hinge postfor a water closetseat co'mpris ing a body portion adapted to be positioned on a water closet bowl, said body portion having a horizontal cylindrical socket therein for theireception of'a bearing pintle extending' froin theseat and also having a vertical "threaded aperture. ex-

position. The purpose of' i to. facilitate"thegrassembling",

is shown wherein a V I said body. portion tending upward from the under side thereof for" V the reception of a threaded stud, saidbody portion also having an apertureof smaller diameter than either said socket or saidthreaded portion extending from the upper end of said vertical threaded aperture upward to said horizontal aperture, and a threaded stud positioned in said vertical aperture and'having associated therewith a pin positioned in said smaller aperture and extending into said horizontal socket a distance substantially less than to the center thereof.

'3. In a hinge fora water closet seat, a stationary elementfcomprising a body portion and a threaded stud screwed into said'body portion for holding said elementto a water closet bowl, said body portion having: a horizontal cylindrical "socket; the upper surfaces of said body portion except for said socket being smooth and miinterrupted for the purpose of receiving a suitable finish, a bearing pintle secured to a water closet seat extending into saidsocket and'having an annular groove extending completely around said pintle; and a locking pin associated with saidstud and having its end extending into said groove. r

4. In a hinge for a water closet seat,.a'stationary element having a horizontal cylindrical socket.

therein and a detachable stud for securing said element to a water closet bowl, said stud having a .pin associated therewith extending into said" socket, and a pintle having an annular groove extending completeiy around said pintle rigidly -s e-: cured to a' water closet seat and positioned in said socket so that the end of said pin is within said groove whereby said stationary element and said sea't are prevented from relative-longitudinal movement in all angularpositions but may be separated by unscrewing the stud from the sta-' tion'ary element. I

5; A'hinge post for a water ing' an upper body threaded tion, said upper portion having a horizontai cylindrical socket therein, and a locking pin 'concen-' trically disposed with respect to'said stud and extending into said socket.

' 6. In combination, a water closet seat having a rearwardly' extending portion, a rod extending closet seat compristransversely through said portion and having a cylindrical bearing member attached to each end. thereof,.each of said members having an annular her; a hinge post for each member having a horizontalcylindrical socket therein and a stud for securingsaid post to a water closet bowl; anda locking pin concentrically positioned with respect to said stud and extendinginto said groove.

' '7I'In 'a hinge post for a toilet seat; abody por- V 7 tion having a horizontal cylindrical socket andalso having a. threaded aperture extending into said body portion from the underside thereof part way toward saidsocket and having a smaller cylindrical'aperture extending from the end of said threaded aperture to said socket, and a securing stud having a threaded portion extending V p and having a reduced L said smaller aperture into said threaded aperture end portion positioned in r p and extending a slightdistance into said socket.

- 8. "In a liinge'post for a toilet seat, a body portion having 'a horizontalcylindrical socket and also having a threaded aperture extending into from the under side thereof part way toward said socket and having a smaller cylindrical aperture extending from the end of portion anda securing stud' I into the lower portion of said body por-j 50: groove extending completely around said mom- 7 said threaded apertureto said socket, and a securing'stud havinga threaded portion extending to said threaded aperture, and said stud also having a socket in the end thereof in which is positioned a spring pressed pin adapted to be positioned in said smaller aperture and to have its end extend into said horizontal socket.

9. In a device of the character described, a stationary supporting member having an exposed horizontal upper surface and a semi-concealed horizontal under surface, said member having a pair of spaced vertical apertures extending therethrough from the under surface to the upper surface, a pair of hinge members positioned above said apertures and having horizontal bearing sockets facing each other, a movable member positioned between said hinge members and having pintles extending into said bearing sockets, each pintle having a circumferential groove therein, and a threaded stud in each of said vertical apertures for securing the hinge members to the supporting member, each stud extending into the lower portion of the hinge members and having associated therewith a pin positioned in said groove for preventing longitudinal movement between said hinge members and said movable member while permitting rotating movement therebetween.

10. In a hinge a supporting post having a horizontal bearing therein and a vertical threaded aperture extending upward part way toward the bearing and also having a smaller aperture extending from the end of the threaded operture into the bearing, a pintle positioned in said bearing and having a circumferential groove therein, and a threaded stud for securing said post to a support, said stud being positioned in said threaded aperture and having a pin associated with the end thereof extending through said smaller aperture and into said groove.

11. In a device of the character described, a movable member, a pair of horizontal pintles extending from the lateral edges of said member in opposite directions, each of said pintles having a circumferential groove therein the side walls of which are substantially radial, a pair of hinge posts one for each pintle each having a horizontal socket therein for the reception of its pintle, and a pin in each post extending into the groove in the pintle.

12. In a device of the character described, a movable member, a pair of horizontal pintles extending from the lateral edges of said member in opposite directions, each of said pintles having a circumferential groove therein having the same depth throughout, a pair of hinge posts one for each pintle each having a horizontal socket therein for the reception of its pintle, and a pin in each post extending into the groove in the pintle.

13. In a hinge, a supporting post having a horizontal bearing therein and a vertical threaded aperture extending upward part way toward the bearing and also having a smaller aperture extending from the end of the threaded aperture into the bearing, a pintle positioned in said bearing and having a circumferential groove therein, a threaded stud for securing said post to a support positioned in said threaded aperture, and a spring pressed pin carried by the end of said stud and extending through said smaller aperture and into said groove.

14. In a hinge, a supporting post having a horizontal bearing therein and a vertical threaded aperture extending upward part way toward the bearing and also having a smaller aperture extending from the end of the threaded aperture into the bearing, a pintle positioned in said bearing and having a circumferential groove therein, a threaded stud for securing said post to a support positioned in said threaded aperture, and a spring pressed pin carried by the end of said stud and extending through said smaller aperture and into said groove, said pintle having a tapered end whereby the insertion of the pintle into the bearing will force the pin outwardly against its spring until the pintle has reached a position where the pin is able to enter the groove and lock the pintle and post together against relative longitudinal movement.

15. A hinge for a water closet seat comprising a member adapted to be secured to a water closet bowl and having a cylindrical socket therein, a pintle adapted to be secured to a water closet seat extending into said socket and having a circumferential groove therein the side walls of which are substantially radial, and a pin in said member extending into said groove and resiliently held in place whereby said pintle is free to rotate into all angular positions but constrained against longitudinal movement in every position.

16. A hinge for a water closet seat comprising a member adapted to be secured to a water closet bowl and having a cylindrical socket therein, a pintle adapted to be secured to a water closet seat extending into said socket and having a circumferential groove therein the side walls of which are substantially radial, and a pin in said member extending into said groove and resiliently held in place whereby said pintle is free to rotate into all angular positions but constrained against longitudinal movement in every position, the end of said pintle being tapered to permit assembling said member and said pintle with the resiliently held pin in place.

WILLIAM A. CARMICHAEL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,032,257., February 25, 19?;

WILLIAM A. CARMICHAEL.

It is hereby certified that error apears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1 first column, lines 59 and 40, strike out the Words and period "Fig, 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a modified form of construction. and second column, beginning with the word "Such" in line 1, strike all to and including the reference numeral "18c" in line 8, same column; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office Signed and sealed this 25th day of August, A. D. 1956.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents

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