US3653076A

US3653076A - Water closet construction

Info

Publication number: US3653076A
Application number: US49435A
Authority: US
Inventors: Archie E Warnberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-06-24
Filing date: 1970-06-24
Publication date: 1972-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-04

Abstract

A toilet or water closet construction which includes a bowl, a seat, a seat lid and a hinge structure which pivotally connects the seat or seat lid or both to the bowl. The hinge structure includes a portion secured to the bowl and at least one leg which is pivotally connected to the portion secured to the bowl, and which is also connected to the seat and lid. The seat is exposed along its rear edge portion to receive without interference by the hinge structure, the rear of a flexible cover which covers at least the upper surface of the seat. In like manner, the lid may be exposed along its rear edge portion to receive without interference from the hinge structure, the rear edge portion of a flexible cover which covers the upper surface of the seat lid.

Description

Unite States Warnberg [54] WATER CLOSET CONSTRUCTION 221 Filed: June 24,1970

21 Appl.No.: 49,435

[52] US. Cl ..4/236,4/242 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47k 13/12 [58] Field of Search ..4/236, 240, 242, 245, 246

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 622,383 4/1899 OBrien ..4/241 2,026,024 12/1935 Dullere..... .4/236 2,611,136 9/1952 Diamond .4/242 2,994,887 8/1961 Thornton..... .4/242 2,608,694 9/1952 McCamy .4/242 2,167,587 7/1939 Rowe .4/242 1,282,588 10/1918 Keene 16/189 1,710,620 4/1929 Hawkins ...4/242 2,032,257 2/1936 Carmichael ..4/236 Apr. 4, 1972 3,118,149 l/1964 Tomasetti ..4/242 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 525,797 6/1956 Canada ..4/242 Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg Assistant Examiner-Donald B. Massenberg Att0rneyDunlap, Laney, Hessin & Dougherty 5 7] ABSTRACT A toilet or water closet construction which includes a bowl, a seat, a seat lid and a hinge structure which pivotally connects the seat or seat lid or both to the bowl. The hinge structure includes a portion secured to the bowl and at least one leg which is pivotally connected to the portion secured to the bowl, and which is also connected to the seat and lid. The seat is exposed along its rear edge portion to receive without interference by the hinge structure, the rear of a flexible cover which covers at least the upper surface of the seat. In like manner, the lid may be exposed along its rear edge portion to receive without in terference from the hinge structure, the rear edge portion of a flexible cover which covers the upper surface of the seat lid.

9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures WATER CLOSET CONSTRUCTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cover structures for water closets, and particularly relates to toilet seats and lids, and to aesthetic and cushioning flexible materials which cover such seats and lids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It has been heretofore proposed to provide aesthetic and useful fabric covers for the seats and lids of water closets so as to improve the overall decor of the bathroom, and the comfort of using the water closets. Patents which are directed to structures of this type are Thornton, US. Pat. No. 2,994,887 and Warnberg, US. Pat. No. 3,102,276, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

A problem which has been encountered in securing some types of fabric covers to toilet seats and lids has been that which has resulted from the manner in which the hinges utilized for securing these structures to the bowl of the toilet are secured to the seat and the lid. Often, the hinges are secured to the seat, or to the lid, or to both, is such position that it is not possible to extend the edge of the fabric cover used on the seat or lid down over the back edge of the seat or lid to which it is secured. The hinge and back edge of the seat or lid are therefore exposed and are unsightly. Moreover, by reason of the inability to extend the rear of the fabric cover down beneath the rear edge of the seat or lid on which it is placed, it is not possible to stretch the cover to a smooth, wrinkle-free, aesthetic configuration. Also, the fabric cover can more easily be inadvertently or accidentally detached from the seat or lid which carries it as a result of the inability to extend its edge beneath the rigid supporting element completely around the periphery thereof. Finally, since toilet seats and lids are made and sold in over one hundred different sizes and shapes, the ability to selectively extend a ortion of the cover over a peripheral edge of the seat or lid permits complete covering of a greater variety of sizes and shapes of lids and seats using but a single size and shape of cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is an improved water closet structure in which the seat and/or lid are constructed and attached to the bowl by a hinge structure in such a way that the peripheral edge of the cover which is provided for the seat or the lid can be extended down over at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the seat and lid at all sides thereof. This provides a more aesthetic assembly, and provides for better retention of fabric covers in their covering positions.

Broadly described, the present invention comprises a toilet bowl which has pivotally connected thereto by means of a hinge structure, at least a toilet seat, and preferably a lid. The hinge structure includes a stationary portion secured to the bowl, and at least one leg which is pivotally attached to the stationary portion. One or more of the legs are secured to the seat, either to the under side thereof, or in a grooved portion at the back edge of the seat. A flexible cover is mounted on the upper surface of the seat, and its peripheral edge extends down along the peripheral edge ofthe entire seat. The manner in which a portion of the hinge is attached to the seat allows the flexible cover to be placed on the seat in this manner without interference from the hinge structure.

Where a lid is included in the assembly, one or more of the hinge legs are secured either to the under side thereof, or in a grooved portion in the back edge thereof. A flexible lid cover is mounted on the upper surface of the lid, and its peripheral edge extends down along the peripheral edge of the entire lid. Thus, also in this case, the hinge structure does not interfere with the complete covering which is desired. The flexible covers may, if desired, also be made to cover the bottom as well as the top surface of the seat and lid.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat has a transverse groove extending across its vertical back edge and detachably receiving one or a pair of hinge legs therein. The groove is of a size that, in addition to the leg of the hinge, it will accommodate the rear edge or edges of the fabric cover. The same construction preferably characterizes the lid, its cover and the portion of the hinge structure attached thereto. Another feature employed in a preferred embodiment of the invention is the inclusion of a counterbalanced override spring in the hinge construction so that the seat or lid will be biased to an upright position by the spring after it has been pivoted upwardly manually to a limited extent.

In another embodiment, retention of the flexible cover on the seat or lid is enhanced by providing ears or protuberances thereon.

An object of the invention is to provide an aesthetic water closet construction in which a flexible cover which covers the seat of the structure is stretched taut, and covers all peripheral edges of the seat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a water closet structure which, by its novel construction, permits a fixed size flexible cover to be utilized for covering toilet seats and/or lids of a variety of sizes and shapes.

An additional object of the invention to provide a hinge and seat structure for a water closet which facilitates better retention on the seat of a flexible cover which is stretched tautly across at least the upper surface thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a water closet construction in which either the seat or lid, or both, are positively retained in an upright position by the resilient bias of a spring.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of water closet constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing fabric covers for the seat and lid in position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along section line 22 of the water closet illustration of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along section line 33 of the water closet illustration of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another form of water closet constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along sectional line 55 of the water closet illustration of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of yet another form of water closet constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. Sis a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a modified hinge structure useful in the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawing, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a water closet construction which includes a bowl 10 having pivotally connected thereto, a seat 12 and a lid 14. The seat 12 and lid 14 are secured to the bowl by a hinge structure designated generally by reference numeral 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge structure 16 includes at least a pair of vertical supporting posts 18 which carry journals receiving an elongated pivot pin or shaft 20. The pivot pin or shaft 20 extends horizontally and has pivotally mounted on the outer ends thereof, a pair of sleeves 22 which are secured to legs 24. The legs 24 of the hinge structure 16 extend forwardly relative to the toilet bowl and project into a transverse slot 26 provided in the back edge of the toilet seat 12 and into slots or bores 28 formed in the seat 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge legs 24 are relatively flat and are apertured to receive a retaining screw 30 extended through the legs from the lower side of the seat 12 in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 2. It will be seen from this construction that the seat 12 may be detached from the legs 24 of the hinge structure 16 by removing the screws 30 and sliding the seat off the legs. Other forms of attachment can also be used.

Referring more specifically to the groove 26 which is formed transversely across the back side or edge of the seat 12, it will be noted that this groove is substantially larger in its vertical width dimension than is the thickness of each of the hinge legs 24 so that a space exits on opposite sides of the hinge legs. This space functions to accommodate the free rear edge of a flexible cover placed on the seat 12 in a manner hereinafter described.

The hinge structure 16 further includes a second pair of substantially parallel legs 32 which are secured to sleeves 34 pivotally mounted on the rod or pivot pin 20. The legs 32 extend into and through a transverse slot or groove 36 formed along the rear edge of the lid 14 into slots or bores 38 extending inwardly in the lid from the back edge thereof. The bores 38 are shaped to receive the relatively flat legs 32, and these legs are apertured to receive retaining screws 40 which are extended therethrough for the purpose of securing the lid 14 to the legs 32. It will be noted that the manner in which the lid 14 is secured to the legs 32 is similar to the manner in which the legs 24 are secured to the seat 12. It will further be noted that the groove 36 is substantially larger in its transverse width dimension than are the legs 32 so as to provide a space accommodating the free edges of a flexible cover placed on the lid 14 as hereinafter described.

It will be noted in referring to FIG. 1 that the toilet seat 12 is of the type which is sometimes referred to as a split seat construction. Thus, the seat 12 has two legs or side portions which do not meet at the forward end of the seat, but rather are separated at this point by a transverse space. With this seat construction, a sleeve type cover of flexible material may be employed, and such cover is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and designated by reference numeral 50. Various types of materials may be employed for constructing the cover 50, but stretch-type fabrics of the type described in my US Pat. No. 3,102,276 and in Thornton, US. Pat. No. 2,994,887 are preferred. The cover 50 includes a pair of legs conforming to the legs or side portions of the seat 12, preferably, but not necessarily, having the ends of the legs closed. The portion of the cover 50 which is located at the back of the seat 12 when the cover is mounted on the seat is open so that in placing the cover on the seat, the open back end of the cover is first forced over the forward ends of the two legs of the seat and then stretched laterally so as to pass the widest portion of the seat. It will be perceived that the cover must necessarily have some elasticity in order to be placed in position on the seat 12, and yet resiliently shrink to a taut condition when it has reached the position depicted in FIG. 1.

When the cover 50 has been placed on the seat 12 in the position depicted in FIGS. I and 2, the free edge portions of the cover are then forced into the transverse groove 26 formed across the back edge of the seat 12 so that these free edges, designated by

reference numerals

50a and 50b, occupy the positions best illustrated in FIG. 2.

In referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be perceived that with the seat 12 in the position in which it is normally viewed, the rear edge of the seat is not exposed, but rather, the cover 50 extends to, and completely covers, the rear edge of this seat. This is made possible by the grooving of the rear edge of the seat which permits the free edges of the cover to be tucked into the groove. This method of securement of the cover also makes for a firmer adherence of the cover to the seat, and permits it to be stretched and maintained taut on the seat. It will be perceived in referring to FIG. 2 that the same neat and aesthetic appearance characterizes the lower panel of the cover 50 in that this portion of the cover covers the entire exposed lower surface of the seat 12, including the rear edge thereof. The lower panel of the cover may be apertured to accommodate the small bumper elements carried on the lower side of many types of toilet seats.

The same construction characterizes the lid 14, in combination with a cover 56, which is stretched over the lid, and which has its edges adjacent an opening at the rear thereof tucked into the groove 36 formed in the back edge of the lid. Again, there are no exposed portions of the lid 14, and the cover 56 is stretched tautly on the lid so as to provide a neat and aesthetic appearance. The bumper-element receiving apertures described above may also be provided in the lower panel of the lid cover 56.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4-5. In the water closet construction here shown, there is included a toilet bowl 58, a seat 60, a hinge structure, designated generally by reference numeral 62, and a lid 64. The seat 60 is circular in configuration, rather than a split seat construction of the type shown in FIGS. 1-3. Also, the hinge structure 62 differs from that shown in FIGS. 1-3 in that the legs 68 of the hinge structure which are connected to the seat 60 are configured to extend beneath the seat 60, and to be secured to the bottom surface thereof by the use of screw 70 or other suitable means. It will be noted that the seat 60 in this embodiment of the invention has a beveled or cut away rear side 69 or cover-retaining surface which tapers downwardly and forwardly from the top side to the bottom side of the seat. This construction permits the free edge of a cover made of a flexible material, and hereinafter described, to be extended over the rear edge of the seat to retain the cover in position.

The hinge structure 62 may further include another set of legs 72 which project in the opposite direction from the legs 68 and are secured by screws 74 or other suitable means to the lower side or surface of the lid 64. The rear edge of the lid 64 is cut away or beveled similarly to the rear edge of the seat 60, so that the rear side 75 extends inwardly from the top side of the lid to the lower side thereof.

It will be apparent that a circular seat structure 60 of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will not accommodate the dual leg type flexible cover of the sort used on a split seat construction as shown in FIG. 1. Rather, a cover 76 which is also circular in configuration and which is of the type shown in the Wamberg and Thornton patents hereinbefore mentioned must be used on this type of seat. Where this cover 76 is used, it is placed on the seat 60 by positioning a stiffening ring 77 carried within or on the inner periphery of the cover beneath the seat adjacent the opening in the seat. The cover 76 of flexible material is then extended across the upper surface of the seat 60. The outer peripheral edge of the cover 76 carries an elastic bank 79 which can be expanded to place the cover over the seat, and which then contracts to pull the outer peripheral edge of the flexible cover under the lower side of the seat. A string or other flexible tying member can also be used to draw the outer peripheral edge of the cover 76 inwardly under the seat 60.

A problem which has been encountered with this type of cover as it has been used on water closed constructions previously in use is the interference which the conventional hinge structure has afforded the extension of the rear edge of the cover over the rear edge of the seat. With the hinge structure 62 constructed as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, and secured to the rear side of the seat 60, and also with the beveled surface 69 provided on the rear side of the seat, the fabric cover 76 can be stretched completely across the upper surface of the seat, and the rear edge of the cover pressed over the rear edge of the seat. The elastic will then contract and draw the cover tautly to the position depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus, no portion of the upper surface of the seat is exposed, and the desired aesthetic appearance is attained.

In like manner, a flexible cover 78 may be stretched over the lid 64 of the water closet, and such cover may desirably be of the single panel type (that is, one which covers only the upper side of the lid), rather than a sleeve type which covers both the upper and lower sides of the lid. This panel type of cover actually permits advantage to be taken of the beveled rear edge of the lid 64 to permit the entire upper surface of the lid to be covered, and no particular advantage in aesthetics is gained due to the particular hinge structure used in this embodiment of the invention when a sleeve type fabric cover is used for the lid, except that the lower side of the lid will, of course, be substantially entirely covered by such a construction.

Yet another type of water closet construction is depicted in FIGS. 68 of the drawings. Here, a split seat is illustrated, and is pivotally mounted on a toilet bowl 82. The seat 80 is secured to the bowl 82 by means of a hinge structure designated generally by reference numeral 84, and the hinge structure includes a portion which may be one or a pair of legs 86, secured to the underside of the seat 80, and a pair of legs 88 secured to the underside of a lid 90. Retention ofa flexible cover 92 on the seat 80 is achieved in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 68 by means ofa pair of

ears

94 and 96 which are formed at the rear edge of the seat 80, and at the opposite side corners thereof. These

ears

94 and 96 are, of course, disposed on opposite sides of the hinge structure 84, and thus permit the opposite corners of the free rear edge portion of the sleeve type flexible cover 92 to be pulled over the ears in the manner best shown in FIG. 8. This serves to stretch the sleeve type cover 92 tautly on the seat and to retain the cover in position. Moreover, by the inclusion of these

ears

94 and 96, it is possible to also pull the rear edge of the lower panel portion of the flexible cover taut and far rearwardly along the lower side of the seat so that little or none of the lower surface of the seat is exposed.

in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, a sleeve-type flexible cover 100 is also utilized on the lid of the water closet, which lid carries ears at the rear outside corners of the lid similarly to the construction of the seat 80. The sleeve-type flexible cover is thus pulled over the lid 90, and the rear edge portions of this cover are hooked over, or passed under, the ears 102 and 104 to retain the cover in position with a taut and aesthetic appearance.

Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, and although only a seat 106 is shown attached to the bowl 108 by a hinge structure designated generally by reference numeral 110, it will be understood that a lid could also be provided, if desired, and would be attached to the hinge structure in a manner similar to the mode of attachment of the seat. The hinge structure 110 includes a single leg 114 in the form of a relatively broad plate which is stepped as shown at 116 to offset the parallel planes in which are located (a) that part which is attached to the underside of the seat, and (b) that part which is pivotally attached to a transverse mounting rod 118 supported by the posts 120 of the hinge structure. Surrounding the rod 118 on opposite sides of the hinge leg 114 are a pair of torsion springs 122. These springs are selected for their elastic properties and are attached to the side edges of the leg 114 so that they constitute counterbalanced override springs. As such, they function to cause the seat 106 to automatically pivot upwardly to, or through, an upright position after the seat has been manually lifted a small distance above the toilet bowl 108.

A cover 124 made of a soft flexible material material is placed on the seat 106 in the manner hereinbefore described, and the rear edge of the cover can be pulled down across the back edge of the seat. The offset or step 116 allows the edge of the cover to be contracted beneath the lower edge of the seat for better retention, full coverage and wider adaptability of a single size cover to a variety of shapes and sizes of seats.

The inclusion of the counterbalanced override spring in the described structure has a particular advantage where thick, bulky materials are used to make the seat cover, and a covered lid of the general type previously described is employed in conjunction with the covered seat. Where this has been done in past seat and lid constructions using a conventional hinge structure, it is often difficult to prevent the seat from falling down on the bowl after it has been raised due to the bulk of the material which separates the lid from the seat. The resilient bias exerted by the counterbalanced override spring prevents this undesirable tendency.

Another structure which will produce the desired result of maintaining the seat (or lid) in an upright position is the hinge arrangement shown in FIG. 11. Here an elongated rod 126 which is mounted between supporting posts (not shown) extends through a sleeve 128 mounted thereon for pivotation about the longitudinal axis of the rod. The sleeve 128 is secured to a hinge leg 130 which may be similar, for example, to the hinge leg shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and is secured to a toilet seat or to a lid for a toilet seat in one of the ways hereinbefore described. The rod 126 has a recess 132 formed therein which extends radially inwardly from the top of the rod. The recess 132 carries a spring 134 which biases a ball 136 outwardly in the recess and against the inner surface of the sleeve 128. The sleever 128 has a cam recess 138 formed in the inside surface thereof for cooperation with the ball 136 in a manner hereinafter described.

When a seat or lid attached to the hinge leg 130 is lifted manually from the horizontally extending position toward an upright position, the cam recess 138 moves around the shaft 126 toward the recess 132 in the shaft. The ball 136 ultimately begins to move toward the bottom of the cam recess 138 down the less steeply inclined side thereof under the bias of the spring 134. When the seat or lid is in the upright position, the ball is pressed into the deepest portion of the cam recess 138. The spring 134 tends to maintain the structured elements in this position so that the lid or seat remains upright until it is manually returned to the horizontally extended position.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been herein disclosed in order to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications in the drawing may be effected without departure from the basic principles of the invention. Modifications and changes of this type are therefore deemed to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention except as the same may be necessarily excluded by the appended claims or reasonable equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A water closet construction comprising:

a bowl;

a seat having a rear edge portion having an upper side and a lower side, said seat being further characterized in having a pair of horizontally spaced, rearwardly projecting ears at opposite sides of the rear edge thereof and projecting beyond the central portion of said rear edge;

a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat at a position to expose along the rear edge portion of said seat, a cover-retaining surface constituted by said horizontally spaced ears; and

a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, the cover-retaining surface constituted by said horizontally spaced, rearwardly projecting cars at the opposite sides of the rear edge of said seat.

2. A water closet construction comprising:

a bowl;

a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side;

a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat in a position to expose a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat; and

a flexible cover constituting a sleeve having an upper panel contacting and covering the upper side of the seat, and a lower panel integrally formed with the upper panel contacting and covering the lower side of the seat, said flexible cover having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat.

3. A water closet construction comprising:

a bowl;

a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side, said seat having a transversely extending groove formed in the rear edge portion thereof between the upper and lower sides of the seat;

a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and at least two legs secured to said seat at horizontally spaced points spaced downwardly from the upper side of the seat along the rear edge portion of said seat, and defining a cover-retaining portion along the rear edge portion of the seat between said horizontally spaced points and the upper side of the seat, said hinge legs projecting into said groove; and

a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of said seat and into said groove.

4. A water closet construction comprising:

a bowl;

a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side;

a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl and having a first portion secured to the bowl and at least two legs secured to said seat at horizontally spaced points spaced downwardly from said upper side of the seat along the rear edge portion of the seat, said legs exposing a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of said seat positioned between said horizontally spaced points and the upper side of the seat, said cover-retaining surface tapering upwardly and rearwardly from said horizontally spaced points toward the upper side of said seat; and flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge portion projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, and having said free edge portion of said flexible cover disposed adjacent said hinge legs at said horizontally spaced points,

. A water closet construction comprising:

a bowl;

a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side;

a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat at a position to expose a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, said second portion including a single plate having a step therein separating two plate portions lying in offset parallel planes, one

of said plate portions being connected to said first portion of the hinge structure, and the other of said plate portions being secured to the lower side of said seat at a location spaced from the rear edge portion of said seat; and

a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat.

6. A water closet construction comprising:

a bowl;

a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side, said seat having a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, and having a groove recessed across the rear edge portion of said seat and including said cover-retaining surface as a portion of said groove;

a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to th e bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat at a position to expose said cover-retain1ng surface along the rear edge portion of the seat; and

7. A water closet construction comprising:

a bowl;

a seat having a rear edge portion, an upper side, and a lower side;

a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, a second portion secured to the seat in a position to expose a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, and a third portion pivotally movable about a horizontal axis;

a lid secured to said third portion of the hinge structure and pivotal therewith about said horizontal axis, said lid hav ing a rear edge portion defining a cover-retaining surface, and said rear edge portion having a groove recessed therein and formed in part by said cover-retaining surface; and

8. A water closet as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible cover completely covers the upper side of said seat and wherein said free edge is hooked over said ears.

9. A water closet as defined in claim 3 wherein said flexible cover includes an upper panel carrying said free edge portion, and a lower panel contacting and covering the lower side of said seat and having a free edge portion projecting into said groove.

Claims

1. A water closet construction comprising: a bowl; a seat having a rear edge portion having an upper side and a lower side, said seat being further characterized in having a pair of horizontally spaced, rearwardly projecting ears at opposite sides of the rear edge thereof and projecting beyond the central portion of said rear edge; a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat at a position to expose along the rear edge portion of said seat, a cover-retaining surface constituted by said horizontally spaced ears; and a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, the coverretaining surface constituted by said horizontally spaced, rearwardly projecting ears at the opposite sides of the rear edge of said seat.

2. A water closet construction comprising: a bowl; a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side; a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat in a position to expose a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat; and a flexible cover constituting a sleeve having an upper panel contacting and covering the upper side of the seat, and a lower panel integrally formed with the upper panel contacting and covering the lower side of the seat, said flexible cover having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat.

3. A water closet construction comprising: a bowl; a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side, said seat having a transversely extending groove formed in the rear edge portion thereof between the upper and lower sides of the seat; a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and at least two legs secured to said seat at horizontally spaced points spaced downwardly from the upper side of the seat along the rear edge portion of said seat, and defining a cover-retaining portion along the rear edge portion of the seat between said horizontally spaced points and the upper side of the seat, said hinge legs projecting into said groove; and a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of said seat and into said groove.

4. A water closet construction comprising: a bowl; a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side; a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl and having a first portion secured to the bowl and at leAst two legs secured to said seat at horizontally spaced points spaced downwardly from said upper side of the seat along the rear edge portion of the seat, said legs exposing a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of said seat positioned between said horizontally spaced points and the upper side of the seat, said cover-retaining surface tapering upwardly and rearwardly from said horizontally spaced points toward the upper side of said seat; and a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge portion projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, and having said free edge portion of said flexible cover disposed adjacent said hinge legs at said horizontally spaced points.

5. A water closet construction comprising: a bowl; a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side; a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat at a position to expose a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, said second portion including a single plate having a step therein separating two plate portions lying in offset parallel planes, one of said plate portions being connected to said first portion of the hinge structure, and the other of said plate portions being secured to the lower side of said seat at a location spaced from the rear edge portion of said seat; and a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat.

6. A water closet construction comprising: a bowl; a seat having a rear edge portion and having an upper side and a lower side, said seat having a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, and having a groove recessed across the rear edge portion of said seat and including said cover-retaining surface as a portion of said groove; a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, and a second portion secured to the seat at a position to expose said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat; and a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat.

7. A water closet construction comprising: a bowl; a seat having a rear edge portion, an upper side, and a lower side; a hinge structure pivotally mounting the seat on the upper side of the bowl, said hinge structure having a first portion secured to the bowl, a second portion secured to the seat in a position to expose a cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat, and a third portion pivotally movable about a horizontal axis; a lid secured to said third portion of the hinge structure and pivotal therewith about said horizontal axis, said lid having a rear edge portion defining a cover-retaining surface, and said rear edge portion having a groove recessed therein and formed in part by said cover-retaining surface; and a flexible cover on at least the upper side of said seat and having a free edge projecting over, and engaged by, said cover-retaining surface along the rear edge portion of the seat.