US3921235A

US3921235A - Water closet seat and lift cover

Info

Publication number: US3921235A
Application number: US469038A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert A O'neil
Original assignee: Beneke Division Beatrice Foods
Current assignee: Sanderson Plumbing Products Inc
Priority date: 1974-05-10
Filing date: 1974-05-10
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25

Abstract

A combination closet seat and center lift cover for use on the receptacle of a water closet. The closet seat has a center opening formed by legs on either side. Each leg is provided with a depression and a similar depression in the center lift cover provides a smooth continuous surface sitting area when the center lift cover is lowered. The center lift cover when raised includes an under surface having an offset portion forming a lumbar support and back rest for the user.

Description

United States Patent 01% 51 Nov. 25, 1975 [541 WATER CLOSET SEAT AND LIFT COVER 2.461.160 2/1949 Joyce 4/235 3,210,777 10/1965 Katoh 4/235 [75] Inventor. Robert A. O Neil, Wheaton, 111. 3520005 7/1970 Downes H 4/234 73 Assignee: Beneke Division, Beau-ice Foods Co" 3,786,522 H1974 Kira et a1. 4/237 Columbus, Miss. Filed y 10 [974 Primary Examiner1- enry K. Artis [21] Appl' 461078 [57] ABSTRACT A combination closet seat and center lift cover for use 8% on the receptacle of a water closet. The closet seat has 4/234 242 a center opening formed by legs on either side. Each l 0 can leg is provided with a depression and a similar depression in the center lift cover provides a smooth eontin [56] Rflerences cued uous surface sitting area when the center lift cover is UNITED STATES PATENTS lowened. The center lift cover when raised includes an 548,367 10/1895 High 4/234 X under surface having an offset portion forming a lum- 0.869 2/1935 Joyce bar support and back rest for the user. 2,047,480 7/1936 MacDonald 1 2,111,044 3/1938 Crosby 4/234 27 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 SheetlofZ 3,921,235

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,921,235

WATER CLOSET SEAT AND LIFT COVER This invention relates generally to closet receptacle seats and more particularly to closet seats having a center lift cover.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is to provide a closed seat and center lift cover which form a continuous cover over the closet receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a closet seat and cover which form a smooth essentially continuous upper surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a closet seat cover which is comfortable to sit on when it is closed.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a center lift cover for a closet receptacle seat having an under surface that provides a contoured support for the user in the lumbar region of the back.

This invention also has an object the provision of a closet receptacle seat having a center lift cover shaped to fit into and be complementary to the opening into the closet receptacle seat.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon careful review of the following specification and claims, including the accompanying drawing.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the closet seat and lift cover in the raised position of a water closet.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the lift cover in the raised position and the closet seat in the lowered position illustrating the depression on each side adjacent the central opening and the back rest.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the closet seat and lift cover in the lowered position forming the closed sitting position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the seat and cover in the lowered position of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view partly broken away of the seat and cover in the lowered position and a portion of the closet receptacle taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4 showing the closet seat hinge attached to the closet.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 5 but with the lift cover raised to illustrate the back support provided by the under surface of the lift cover.

FIG. 7 is an exploded fragmentary view of the present invention illustrating the position of the hinges as attached to the seat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in particular to FIGS. 1,2 and 3, it may be seen that a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a combination closet seat and lift cover assembly shown generally at 10 that includes a seat 12 and a center lift cover I4.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the closet seat I2 is provided with seat hinges I6 in the form of a pair of elongated pins 17 axially aligned to pass through conventional hinge posts I8 permitting pivotal movement. The rear of the seat 12 is notched out at 19 on both sides of the cover to receive each hinge post 18 as best shown in 2 FIG. 7. The hinge posts I8 are each held to the receptacle R by its respective bolt 20.

The closet seat I2 is preferably fabricated of a material such as wood with a conventional stain resistant protective coating or is molded of a conventional plastic. The seat I2 as shown is bifurcated forming two

legs

22 and 24 each of which extend from a rearwardly positioned recessed yolk 26 that houses and supports the hinges 16. The yolk is recessed at 26 from the planar portion 28 to provide clearance for the tongue 29 to pivot about the hinge pins 17. The rear edge 30 of the tongue is beveled to further this purpose. Each of the

legs

22 and 24 is essentially a mirror image of the other and is provided with a planar rear portion 28 which joins inwardly converging sides 31 having the form of a smooth curve as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each of the legs terminates in a smooth front edge 32. The underside 34 of the closet seat is flat and may be provided with conventional resilient bumpers 36 on the underside of each leg and positioned to rest upon the upper rim M of the receptacle R. To support the center left cover I4 above the surface of the rim M of the receptacle R, inward protrusions 31 are provided along the lower surface 34 of the seat.

As may be seen from FIG. 7, the yolk 26 of the closet seat is provided with an angular or inclined surface 38 on each side of the cover I4 to provide adequate clearance for the raising of the seat 12. Each surface 38 is cut out at 39 to permit the installation of the pins 17 forming the hinges 16.

The upper surface of the closet seat in addition to. the planar rear surface 28 is provided with an outer planar intermediate portion 40 on each leg which converges smoothly with a downwardly directed front surface 42 that slopes to meet the front edge 32.

One of the important aspects of the present invention is the formation on each leg of an essentially semicircu lar depression 44 which extends from the yolk 26 forwardly alongside the planar intermediate surface 40 to the downwardly sloping surface 42. The depression 44 on each of the

legs

22 and 24 are essentially mirror images of each other and are formed each with a downwardly and inwardly sloping surface at 46 terminating in a relatively planar surface at 48. The depressions 44 serve as contoured sitting areas during use of the closet seat.

The inner edge of the depression 44 is defined at 50 which is formed with a concave central portion 52 between forward and rearwardly projecting

portions

54 and 56 on either side of the concave central portion 52 and forward opposed parallel edges 58 which extend beyond the rim M to intersect along the sloping surface 42 and the front edge 32. The inner edge 50 including the concave central portion 52 forms a central opening 60 to permit access to the interior of the receptacle R.

The center lift cover 14 comprising the other important part of the combination closet seat and lift cover assembly is best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 to be pivotally secured to the closet seat 12 by the hinge pins 17 as previously described. The particular manner of pivotal attachment and the location of the axis of the pivot is not important as long as the center lift cover will remain upright upon being raised to the position as shown in FIGS 2 and 6.

As best shown in FIG. 7 the center lift cover includes side edges 66 which are parallel to the seat edges 58 when the center lift cover is in the lowered position. The center lift cover edges also include a bulbous por- 3 tion 68 in the form of convex extensions to either side of the center lift cover. The shape of the center lift cover is sized and proportioned to be complementary to the central opening 60 to completely and entirely close the central opening.

The upper surface of the center lift cover includes a rear planar portion 70 upon the top surface of tongue 29 that is pivotally superposed upon yole 26. This pla nar portion 70 forms a smooth surface with the planar rear portion 28 of the seat. The center lift cover upper surface slopes downwardly in a gentle curvature at 72, in a manner similar to the corresponding sloping surface 46 of the seat, towards the center of the lift cover 14 forming an essentially planar surface or depressed surface bottom 74. This upper surface may be referred to as undulating. This bottom 74 is contiguous to the planar surface 48 of the

legs

22 and 24. Forwardly of the depressed surface bottom 74 is an upward sloping surface 76 which again conforms generally to the contour of the forward portions of the depression 44 and which takes on a downward curvature at 78 to conform to the contiguous downwardly sloping surface 42 on each

leg

22 and 24.

It is evident from the depression 44 and the de pressed surface bottom 74 and adjacent curvatures that a contoured sitting surface is supplied for the user when the center lift cover is in the down position. It of course will be appreciated that the center lift cover also serves the purpose of blocking the interior of the receptacle from view.

The under surface of the center lift cover 14 is composed of a unique lumbar supporting surface 80. As is best seen in FIG. 2 and 6, the lumber supporting surface 80 is offset forwardly towards the central opening from the under surface 82 adjacent the hinge l6 and forms a back rest for the user when the center lift cover is in the raised position of FIGS. 2 and 6. The lateral extent of the center lift cover between the bulbous edges 68 contributes substantially to the effectiveness of the lumber support surface 80.

The extension of the center lift cover to include the downwardly sloping surface 78 and the leading edge 84 which is coextensive with the edges 32 of the

legs

22 and 24 permits the user to raise and lower the center lift cover as desired. When both the seat and the center lift cover are in the lowered position, the under surface 86 of the cover rests on top of the inward protrusions 37 to maintain the cover up from the rim M and also to avoid undue lever action upon the hinges 16 upon the cover surface 82 striking the yoke 26.

As may be clear from the foregoing description, the combination closet seat and lift cover for use on a receptacle of a water closet provides a contoured sitting area in the closed position in FIG. 3 and unlike conventional closet seats and covers provides a smooth essentially continuous surface from side to side and front to rear. The same combination provides, when the center lift cover is raised, a contoured sitting area for the user but importantly, there is a lumbar supporting back rest at 80 which aids to support the lumbar region of the users back.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be evident that there are a mumber of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the depended claims.

1 claim:

1. A combination closet seat and lift cover for use on the receptacle of a closet which comprises: a closet seat having a central opening providing access to the receptacle of the closet support means forming on each side of said opening the support for the user of the seat, means secured to said seat for connection to said closet to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween, a central lift cover pivotally connected to said closet seat being sized to be complementary to and fit within said opening, and provided with an undulating upper surface forming a central depression, said center lift cover together with said support means forming an essentially continuous contoured sitting surface when in the down position 2. The combination closet seat and lift cover of claim 1 wherein the closet seat is open at the front and the center lift is coextensive forwardly with said closet seat.

3. The combination closet seat and lift cover of claim 1 wherein the closet seat is bifurcated to form legs forming said support means and an elongated shape to said central opening.

4. The combination closet seat and lift cover of claim 1 wherein the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat.

5. The combination closet seat and lift cover of claim 4 wherein the combination additionally comprises: bumpers attached to the lower surface to prevent the seat from resting directly on a rim of the closet receptacle and on inwardly directed elongated protrusions positioned upon a forward portion of said seat to support said center lift cover.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means includes a pair of legs, each leg including an upper surface depression contiguous to said opening.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said undulating upper surface forms a depression corresponding in approximate depth to the depression on each leg to form said contoured sitting surface.

8. The combination of claim I wherein said center lift cover is provided with an under surface including an offset portion forming a back rest for the user when in raised position.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said center lift cover includes an under surface of said center lift cover having an offset portion forming a back rest for the USfiI'.

10. The combination of claim I wherein hinge means is provided between said center lift cover and said seat cover to permit said relative pivotal movement.

11. The combination of claim 3 wherein said center lift cover includes an offset under surface.

12. The combination of claim 7 wherein the upper surface depressions on each leg are mirror images.

13. The.combination of claim 1 wherein the closet seat is open at the front and the center lift is coextensive forwardly with said closet seat, and the closet seat is bifurcated to form legs forming said support means and an elongated shape to said central opening.

14. The combination of claim I wherein the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat, and the undulating upper surface forms a depression corresponding in approximate depth to the depression on each leg to form said contoured sitting surface.

15. The combination of claim 1 wherein said center lift cover is provided with an under surface including an offset portion forming a back rest for the user when in raised position, and the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat.

16. The combination of claim 1 wherein the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat, said undulating upper surface forms a depression corresponding in approximate depth to the depression on each leg to form said contoured sitting surface, and said center lift cover is provided with an under surface including an offset portion forming a back rest for the user when in raised position.

17. The combination of claim 1 wherein hinge means is provided between said center lift cover and said seat cover to permit said relative pivotal movement, the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat, said undulating upper surface forms a depression corresponding in approximate depth to the depression on each leg to form said contoured sitting surface, and said center lift cover is provided with an under surface including an offset portion forming a back rest for the user when is raised position.

18. The combination of claim I wherein the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat, hinge means is provided between said center lift cover and said seat cover to permit said relative pivotal movement.

19. The combination of claim 1 wherein said seat is provided with a planar rear surface.

20. The combination of claim 1 wherein said seat is provided with a planar portion extending outwardly from each side.

21. The combination of claim 1 wherein said seat is provided with a planar rear surface, said seat is provided with a planar portion extending outwardly from each side 22. The combination of claim 19 wherein said center lift cover includes a tongue and a rear planar portion on the top surface of said tongue.

23. The combination of claim 22 wherein said top surface of said tongue and the planar rear surface of said seat form an essentially continuous surface partially surrounding said opening when in the down position.

24. The combination of claim 1 wherein said center lift cover includes a tongue received for pivotal movement within a yoke formed in said seat.

25. The combination in claim 24 wherein top surface of said tongue is planar and form a continuous surface when in the down position with the top of said seat.

26. The combination of claim 22 wherein said seat is provided with a planar portion extending outwardly from each side.

27. The combination of claim 22 wherein said seat is provided with a planar portion extending outwardly from each side, said top surface of said tongue and the planar rear surface of said seat form an essentially continuous surface partially surrounding said opening when in the down position.

Claims

1. A combination closet seat and lift cover for use on the receptacle of a closet which comprises: a closet seat having a central opening providing access to the receptacle of the closet support means forming on each side of said opening the support for the user of the seat, means secured to said seat for connection to said closet to permit relative pivotal movement therebetween, a central lift cover pivotally connected to said closet seat being sized to be complementary to and fit within said opening, and provided with an undulating upper surface forming a central depression, said center lift cover together with said support means forming an essentially continuous contoured sitting surface when in the down position

2. The combination closet seat and lift cover of claim 1 wherein the closet seat is open at the front and thE center lift is coextensive forwardly with said closet seat.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said center lift cover is provided with an under surface including an offset portion forming a back rest for the user when in raised position.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said center lift cover includes an under surface of said center lift cover having an offset portion forming a back rest for the user.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein hinge means is provided between said center lift cover and said seat cover to permit said relative pivotal movement.

13. The combination of claim 1 wherein the closet seat is open at the front and the center lift is coextensive forwardly with said closet seat, and the closet seat is bifurcated to form legs forming said support means and an elongated shape to said central opening.

14. The combination of claim 1 wherein the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat, and the undulating upper surface forms a depression corresponding in approximate depth to the depression on each leg to form said contoured sitting surface.

18. The combination of claim 1 wherein the pivotal means for attaching the closet seat to the closet receptacle comprises a hinge attached to the rear of the seat, hinge means is provided between said center lift cover And said seat cover to permit said relative pivotal movement.

21. The combination of claim 1 wherein said seat is provided with a planar rear surface, said seat is provided with a planar portion extending outwardly from each side.

22. The combination of claim 19 wherein said center lift cover includes a tongue and a rear planar portion on the top surface of said tongue.