WO2017089793A1

WO2017089793A1 - Attachment mechanism for toilet seat/lid and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2017089793A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/053675
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Delaney
Original assignee: Cassellie Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-26
Filing date: 2016-11-23
Publication date: 2017-06-01
Also published as: EP3410911A1; EP3410911B1

Abstract

An attachment mechanism is provided for attaching a toilet seat and/or lid to a toilet pan in use. The attachment mechanism includes a body portion having engagement means provided on or associated therewith for engaging at least part of a toilet seat and/or lid to the body portion in use. Attachment means are provided for attaching the body portion to the toilet pan in use. The attachment means includes vacuum or suction means or a vacuum or suction mechanism.

Description

Attachment Mechanism for Toilet Seat/Lid and Method of Use Thereof

This invention relates to an attachment mechanism for a toilet seat/lid arrangement and a method of using the same.

Conventionally, a toilet seat and/or toilet lid are attached to a toilet pan using one or more bolts that are inserted through apertures defined on an upper surface of the toilet pan adjacent a rear edge or cistern thereof. One or more washers and nuts are used to secure the one or more bolts to the toilet pan on a lower surface of the toilet pan. It is often the case that a decorative location disk is provided on the upper surface of the toilet pan for association with each aperture. The decorative location disk includes an aperture therethough and a user typically has to align the bolt with the decorative location disk and the aperture on the toilet pan prior to securing the bolt with the washer and nut from the underside surface of the toilet pan. This process can be fiddly and time consuming for a user to undertake. It can also be difficult for a user to access the underside surface of the toilet pan, particularly if the toilet is located in a confined space. In addition, since there are a number of components used in the attachment of the toilet seat/lid to the toilet pan, and each of these components may have screw threads or non-planar surfaces and the like associated with the same, these components can be difficult to keep clean. This is undesirable for a toilet where maintenance of hygiene is important.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an attachment mechanism which overcomes the abovementioned problems. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using an attachment mechanism which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a toilet seat and/or a toilet lid with an attachment mechanism; and to a method of use thereof.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a toilet or toilet pan including an attachment mechanism; and to a method of use thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment mechanism for attaching a toilet seat and/or lid to a toilet pan in use, said attachment mechanism including a body portion having engagement means provided on or associated therewith for engaging at least part of a toilet seat and/or lid to the body portion in use, and attachment means for attaching the body portion to the toilet pan in use, characterised in that the attachment means includes vacuum or suction means or a vacuum or suction mechanism.

Thus, the present invention uses vacuum/suction means or a vacuum/suction mechanism for attaching a toilet seat and/or lid to a toilet pan in use. This has the advantage that no apertures are required to be formed in the toilet pan for the location of toilet seat/lid attachment bolts as is conventionally required. This simplifies the tooling required for manufacturing the toilet pan and improves the aesthetic appearance of the resulting toilet. The toilet seat/lid can be fitted and/or removed by a user entirely from an upper surface of the toilet pan and so the problem associated with the prior art of gaining access to the underside surface of the toilet pan for securing/releasing attachment of the toilet seat/lid is removed. The process of fitting and/or removing the toilet seat/lid with respect to the toilet pan is significantly simplified, no special tools or user skill is required, and the time for undertaking the fitting/removing process is significantly reduced. There are no, or at least a reduced number, of exposed non-planar attachment parts to be kept clean in use, thereby making the resulting toilet arrangement easier to clean. In addition, the toilet seat/lid can be positioned wherever the user wishes on an upper surface of the toilet pan and the positioning is not limited to the location of toilet seat attachment apertures, as is conventionally the case with prior art toilets. The attachment mechanism therefore offers a universal fit, irrespective of the design, shape and/or dimensions of the toilet pan and/or toilet seat/lid.

In one embodiment it will be appreciated that the attachment mechanism of the present invention can be used on a toilet pan which has no toilet seat/lid attachment apertures provided thereon.

In one embodiment it will be appreciated that the attachment mechanism of the present invention can be used on a toilet pan that has conventional toilet seat/lid attachment apertures provided on an upper surface of the toilet pan. In this embodiment the vacuum/suction means or mechanism of the attachment mechanism can be arranged such that the vacuum is not being formed in a region corresponding to the one or more toilet pan attachment apertures, which could prevent a vacuum being adequately formed. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more cover members or cover means can be provided to cover the toilet pan attachment apertures so as to prevent them from interfering with the vacuum/ suction formation of the attachment mechanism according to the present invention. Preferably the one or more cover means or cover members include one or more caps, plugs and/or the like.

In one embodiment the attachment mechanism includes location means or one or more location members for allowing location of the attachment mechanism with one or more conventional toilet pan attachment apertures in use. The location means or members could, in one example, be for locating the attachment mechanism relative to any other suitable location on the toilet pan in use.

The location means or members can include any means which allow location of the attachment mechanism with conventional toilet pan attachment apertures in use. For example, the location means or members can include any or any combination of one or more protruding members, bolts, pins and/or the like which protrude into or locate in a toilet pan attachment aperture in use.

Preferably the length of the location means or members is such so as to prevent or substantially prevent removal of the location means or members from the toilet pan attachment aperture as a result of horizontal or substantially horizontal motion of the attachment mechanism with respect to an upper surface of the toilet pan when fitted.

Preferably the location means protrude outwardly from a base surface or a lower surface of the body portion of the attachment mechanism and/or from a surface of the body portion which is arranged to face the toilet pan in use.

In one embodiment there is no requirement for securement of the location means or members within the toilet pan attachment apertures as the vacuum/suction means or mechanism provides the secure attachment.

In one embodiment locking means or one or more locking members can be provided on or associated with the location means or members for locking the same in place in a required position in use.

In one embodiment adjustment means or one or more adjustment members are provided to allow adjustment of the location means or members when in position in the toilet pan attachment apertures or relative to any other suitable toilet pan location in use.

The adjustment means, adjustment members, locking means and/or locking means can include any or any combination of one or more screws, nuts, clips, inter-engaging members and/or the like.

Preferably the vacuum or suction means or vacuum or suction mechanism is arranged such that it can be moved between a first engaged condition, wherein a vacuum, or at least a partial vacuum, is or can be formed between at least a part of the vacuum/suction means or mechanism and a surface on which the vacuum/suction means or mechanism is placed in use, and a second disengaged condition, wherein a vacuum, or partial vacuum is prevented, cannot be formed, is released and/or said at least part of the vacuum/suction means or mechanism and the surface on which the vacuum/suction means or mechanism is to be placed or removed from is open to atmosphere.

Preferably the term "vacuum means", "suction means", "suction mechanism" or "vacuum mechanism" is any means which allows a pressure difference to be created between at least part of the vacuum/suction means /mechanism and the surrounding or external atmosphere to said at least part of the vacuum/suction means /mechanism.

Preferably the vacuum or suction means or vacuum or suction mechanism is used to create a vacuum, or at least a partial vacuum, between at least part of the vacuum/suction means or vacuum/suction mechanism and a surface on which the vacuum/suction means or vacuum/suction mechanism is to be located on in use. The vacuum or partial vacuum formed is such that said at least part of the vacuum/ suction means or mechanism is attached or adhered to the surface in use.

Preferably the surface on which the vacuum or suction means or mechanism is provided in use is a surface, and preferably an upper surface, of a toilet pan.

Preferably the degree of attachment/adhesion of the vacuum/suction means/mechanism to the surface, or the force that would be required by a user to overcome the air pressure difference between the part of the vacuum/suction means /mechanism and the surface, is such that detachment of the same cannot take place during normal operation of the toilet seat/lid and/or without a user specifically moving actuation means or user actuation means associated with the attachment mechanism from a first engaged position to a second disengaged position.

Preferably the air pressure in said part of the vacuum/suction means /mechanism is negative or significantly lower or less than atmospheric pressure compared to the air pressure external to said part of the vacuum/suction means/mechanism when the attachment mechanism is in an engaged position on a required surface in use. Preferably the vacuum/suction means or vacuum/suction mechanism includes one or more suction means or suction cups.

In one embodiment a single vacuum/suction means, vacuum/suction mechanism and/or suction means or suction cup is provided.

In a further embodiment a plurality of vacuum/suction means, vacuum/suction mechanisms, suction means, and/or suction cups are provided. The plurality of vacuum/ suction means, vacuum/suction mechanisms, suction means, and/or suction cups can be provided adjacent to each other and/or spaced apart from each other.

Preferably the one or more suction means or suction cups includes or consists of one or more flexible, resilient and/or elastic members .

Further preferably said suction means or one or more suction cups have a curved or non-planar surface, at least when in a disengaged position in use.

Preferably the curved or non-planar surface is the surface being moved into contact with the locating surface on which the attachment mechanism is to be fitted in use.

Preferably, as part, or a centre, of the suction means or suction cup is moved towards or pressed inwardly towards the surface on which the suction means or suction cup is located in use, air located between the inner surface of the suction means/cup and the surface is forced outwardly of the suction means or suction cup past an outer edge of the suction means/cup. The pressure difference between an inner cavity defined between the suction means/cup and the surface, and the surrounding atmosphere external to the suction means /cup allows the suction means/cup to adhere to the surface.

Preferably the surface of the toilet pan on which the vacuum means /mechanism is located in use is a flat or substantially flat surface, and further preferably is a non-porous surface.

Preferably the surface of the toilet pan on which the vacuum/suction means/mechanism is located is an upper surface towards a back or rear of the toilet pan.

It will be appreciated that reference to a toilet pan, includes reference to a toilet bowl. A toilet also covers other terms used to describe the same object, such as a lavatory, commode and/or the like.

In one embodiment actuation means or mechanism or user actuation means or mechanism are provided on or associated with the attachment mechanism to allow the vacuum/ suction means or vacuum/suction mechanism to be moved between and/or into the first engaged condition and/or the second disengaged condition.

Preferably the actuation means or user actuation means are movably mounted on the body portion of the attachment mechanism and movement of said actuation means or user actuation means relative to said body portion allows the vacuum/suction means or vacuum/suction mechanism to be moved between the first engaged condition and the second disengaged condition. Preferably the actuation means or user actuation means are slidably, pivotably and/or rotatably mounted on the body portion of the attachment mechanism.

Preferably movement means and/or a movement mechanism is provided on or associated with the actuation means or user actuation means for movably mounting the actuation means or user actuation means to the body portion of the attachment mechanism. The movement means and/ or movement mechanism can allow sliding, rotational and/or pivotal movement of the actuation means or user actuation means with respect to the body portion of the attachment mechanism.

In one embodiment the actuation means or user actuation means includes any or any combination of one or more operating levers, buttons, pumps, pump handles, piston handles, pump actuation bladders and/or the like.

In one embodiment a resilient biasing means or mechanism is provided on or associated with the actuation means or user actuation means to bias the actuation means or user actuation means to a disengaged condition. The disengaged condition typically corresponds to the vacuum or suction means or mechanism being in the disengaged condition.

Preferably actuation of the actuation means or user actuation means corresponds to the vacuum or suction means being moved to an engaged condition.

Preferably the biasing means includes or consists of one or more springs, sprung material and/or the like.

In one embodiment the engagement means or engagement mechanism for engaging the toilet seat and/or lid to the attachment mechanism includes one or more hinges, hinge means, pivots, pivot means and/or the like. This allows the toilet seat and/or lid to be hingedly or pivotably movable relative to the attachment mechanism and/or toilet pan in use.

In one embodiment the engagement means includes one or more hinge supports provided on the body portion of the attachment mechanism for location with and/or association with one or more hinges or hinge means.

In one embodiment the hinge means and/or hinge support can include an aperture into which a hinge pin associated with the toilet seat and/or lid is located in use.

Preferably the attachment mechanism is for use with or includes a toilet seat and/or toilet lid.

In one embodiment the actuation means or user actuation means includes a pump for pumping air and/or fluid into and/or removing air and/or fluid from the vacuum or suction means or mechanism and/or the one or more suction means or suction cups in use.

Preferably the pump is a vacuum or suction pump.

Preferably the pump, suction pump or vacuum pump has a conduit or pipe which connects the vacuum or suction means or mechanism with the the one or more suction cups, to allow air and/or fluid to be removed from and/or introduced therein or therefrom.

In one embodiment the actuation means, user actuation means, pump, suction pump or vacuum pump is incorporated with, is provided in or associated with the engagement means, the hinge, hinge means, pivot means and/or the like via which the toilet seat and/or lid is engaged to the attachment mechanism in use.

Preferably movement of the engagement means in use actuation the actuation means in use.

Preferably the toilet seat and/or lid is pivotably or hingedly mounted to the body portion via the engagement means. The movement of the toilet seat and/or lid is preferably about one or more pivot or hinge axes.

Preferably movement of the toilet seat and/or lid, and preferably movement of the toilet seat and/or lid in a rotational or pivotal manner about the hinges or pivot axes of the engagement means actuates the actuation means, user actuation means, pump, suction pump or vacuum pump. For example, raising and/or lowering the toilet seat and/or lid relative to the toilet pan and/or attachment mechanism in use could be used to introduce and/or remove air and/or fluid from the vacuum or suction means or mechanism. This can allow the vacuum or suction means or mechanism to be moved between the first engaged condition and the second disengaged condition and/or it can be used to replenish, reduce and/or maintain the vacuum/suction formed between the vacuum or suction means or mechanism and the surface on which the attachment mechanism is engaged to in use.

In one embodiment actuation of the actuation means, user actuation means, pump, suction pump or vacuum pump could be via mechanical means and/or it could be via electrical means.

In one embodiment the actuation means could be remote from the attachment mechanism. Preferably the mechanical means includes one or more cams, eccentric cams and/or the like.

Preferably a first cam or cam element is associated (directly or indirectly) with an end or portion of the actuation means, user actuation means or pump means, and a second cam or cam element is associated (directly or indirectly) with an end or portion of a toilet seat and/or lid in use.

Preferably at least part of the first cam element and at least part of the second cam element that are arranged to engage in use are complementary or substantially complementary in form.

Preferably at least part of the first cam element is arranged to undergo reciprocal linear movement or substantially reciprocal linear movement, and at least part of the second cam element is arranged to undergo rotational movement or substantially rotational movement, or vice versa. Further preferably the first cam element is prevented from undergoing rotational movement and the second cam element is prevented from undergoing linear- reciprocal movement in normal use, or vice versa.

Preferably the electrical means can include any or any combination of one or more batteries, an air or fluid switch, air or fluid pressure detection means, electrical circuitry and/or the like. For example, an air or fluid switch or pressure detection means can be used to detect a change in pressure within or associated with the vacuum or suction means or mechanism. On detection of a change in fluid pressure (such as an increase and/or decrease in fluid pressure) in the vacuum or suction means, this can activate the pump to adjust the fluid pressure in the vacuum or suction means accordingly. Preferably the engagement means, hinge, hinge means and/or pivot means includes, is provided or is associated with a soft close mechanism to allow soft closing of the toilet seat and/or toilet lid with respect to the attachment mechanism in use.

Preferably the body portion of the attachment mechanism is in the form of a housing in or on which the one or more components of the attachment mechanism are provided, attached to or associated with.

Preferably the housing has a base and the one or more suction cups are provided on or associated with the base.

Preferably the attachment mechanism or housing has a sleeve member in which one or more components of the attachment mechanism are located, such as for example, the pump means, one or more cam elements, electrical means and/or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using an attachment mechanism for attaching a toilet seat and/or lid to a toilet pan in use, said attachment mechanism including a body portion having engagement means provided on or associated therewith for engaging at least part of a toilet seat and/or lid to the body portion in use, said method including the step of attaching the body portion to the toilet pan using attachment means, characterised in that the attachment means includes vacuum or suction means or a vacuum or suction mechanism.

According to further independent aspects of the present invention there is provided a toilet pan including an attachment mechanism for attaching a toilet seat and/or lid to the same; a toilet seat and/or lid including an attachment mechanism; and a toilet seat/lid attachment mechanism. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

Figures l a and l b show a perspective view and a cross sectional view of a toilet seat attachment mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention respectively;

Figures 2a-2b show a perspective view, a plan view from above and a front view of a toilet seat attachment mechanism according to a further embodiment of the present invention respectively;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a toilet with the attachment mechanism being located on the same in use;

Figures 4a-4e show a side view, end view, top plan view, perspective view from below, and a perspective view from the top of an attachment mechanism respectively according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 5a and 5b show an exploded perspective view and an exploded side view of the attachment mechanism respectively in Figures 4a-4e;

Figures 6a and 6b show a perspective view of part of the attachment mechanism in figures 4a-4e when the toilet seat lid is in a fully open position and a fully closed position respectively;

Figures 7a and 7b show a side view of part of the attachment mechanism in figures 4a-4e when the toilet seat lid is in a fully closed position and a fully open position respectively; and Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a toilet seat and lid arrangement including the attachment mechanism of figures 4a- 4e.

Referring firstly to figures l a and l b, there is illustrated a toilet seat attachment mechanism 2 comprising an elongate body portion 4 having a top surface 6, a base surface 8, end walls 10, 12 and front and rear side walls 14, 16 respectively.

Engagement means 18 are provided to allow engagement of a toilet seat (not shown) to the same in use. The engagement means can take any suitable form to allow a toilet seat to be pivotably or hingedly connected to the attachment mechanism 2.

Vacuum or suction means in the form of two suction cups 20, 22 are located on base surface 8 adjacent end walls 10 and 12. The inner surface 24 of the suction cups 20, 22 that faces towards the surface to which the mechanism 2 is to be attached to in use is curved, as shown by dotted line 26. The suction cups 20, 22 are formed from a resilient flexible material.

User actuation means 28 are associated with each suction cup 20, 22 to allow the suction cups 20, 22 to be moved between an engaged position, wherein the inner surface 24 is moved towards the surface to which the mechanism 2 is to be attached to in use, so that the inner surface 24 forms a relatively planar or substantially horizontal position; and a disengaged position, wherein the inner surface 24 is moved away from the surface to which the mechanism 2 has been attached to and forms a relatively curved or non-planar position.

The user actuation means 28 includes an operating lever 30 which is pivotably connected to one end of an actuating arm 32 at a pivot point 34. Resilient biasing means in the form of a spring 36 is associated with each actuating arm 32. The other end 38 of the actuating arm 32 is attached centrally to the outer surface of the suction cup 20, 22.

Operating lever 30 protrudes outwardly and upwardly from top surface 6 of the attachment mechanism 2 in this example to allow easy access by a user.

In use, a user places the attachment mechanism 2 on an upper surface 40 of a toilet pan 42 towards a rear wall or cistern 44 thereof at a location where they would like a rear edge of a toilet seat 46 to be located in use. The user actuation means 28 are typically in a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, a longitudinal axis of the operating lever 30 is vertical or substantially vertical and/or is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the top surface 6 of the attachment mechanism body portion 4. The inner surface 24 of the suction cups 20, 22 is in a relatively curved position with a cavity 39 defined between the inner surface 24 of the cup and the toilet pan surface 40 on which the attachment mechanism is located.

With the attachment mechanism in the user selected required position, a user grips each operating lever 30 and pivots the levers 30 outwardly (or inwardly) of each other towards the top surface 6 of the attachment mechanism body portion 4. This brings the operating levers 30 to an engaged position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the levers is substantially parallel, parallel, horizontal or substantially horizontal with respect to the top surface 6. The user has to apply sufficient force in moving the operating lever 30 from the disengaged position to the engaged position to overcome the biasing force of spring 36. During this movement, the inner surface 24 of the suction cup 20, 22 is moved towards the upper surface 40 of toilet pan 42. This movement forces the air contained in the cavity 39 outwardly of the peripheral rim of the suction cup to form a partial vacuum, such that the air pressure on the outer wall of the suction cup 20, 22 is greater than the air pressure on the inner wall of the suction cup . This pressure differential secures the suction cups, and therefore the attachment mechanism 2 and toilet seat 44, to the upper surface 40 of the toilet pan 42.

If a user requires removal of the toilet seat, such as for cleaning purposes, replacement and/or repair, a user simply moves the operating levers 30 from the engaged position, to the disengaged position, thereby pulling the inner surface 24 of the suction cup away from the upper surface 40 of the toilet pan and allowing air at atmospheric pressure to enter the cavity now formed (or enlarged) adjacent the inner surface 24 of the suction cup.

The suction cups can be covered by the body portion or cover means so as to hide the same from view from a user when the attachment mechanism 2 is viewed externally when in an engaged position.

Referring to figures 2a-2c, there is illustrated a further embodiment of an attachment mechanism 100 according to the present invention. The same features are referred to by the same reference numerals used in the embodiment shown in figures l a- lb.

Whereas the embodiment shown in figures l a-lb required a toilet pan to be formed where no existing toilet seat attachment apertures are provided on the upper surface 40 of the toilet pan 42, any toilet seat attachment apertures provided are covered up using cover means, or the spacing between the suction cups 20, 22 to be such that they do not overlap with any toilet seat attachment apertures that would interfere with the suction engagement, the embodiment shown in figures 2a-2c has locating pins 102 which are for location in the existing toilet seat attachment apertures present on the upper surface 40 of a toilet pan 42.

The locating pins 102 are provided on base surface 8 of the attachment mechanism 100 and protrude outwardly and downwardly thereof. A single suction cup 20 is provided centrally between the locating pins 102 on base surface 8. A pump 104 is associated with the suction cup 20 for removing air that may reside in the cavity formed between the inner surface 24 of the suction cavity and the upper surface of the toilet pan when in the disengaged position, in order to form the engaged position. User actuation means in the form of a pump operating lever or piston 106 is accessible via upper surface 6 of the attachment mechanism 100 to allow actuation of the pump to help remove air from the suction cavity of the suction cup.

In this embodiment, engagement means in the form of hinge support straps 108 are provided adjacent ends 10, 12 on the upper surface 6 to allow a toilet seat to be hingedly mounted to the same. The hinge support straps 108 protrude outwardly from upper surface 6 and each have an aperture 110 defined therein for the location of a hinge pin therethrough in use. The hinge pin is associated with the toilet seat to be fitted to the attachment mechanism 100 in use.

It will be appreciated that any or any combination of the features in the embodiments shown in figures l a-l b and figures 2a-2c can be provided to form an attachment mechanism according to the present invention.

Referring to figures 4a-8, there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention wherein the vacuum or partial vacuum in the suction cup is created, maintained and/or released by a vacuum pump that is actuated by movement of the toilet lid.

In this embodiment, the attachment mechanism 200 includes a housing 202 having a base 204 to which a suction cup 206 is attached. A sleeve member 208 is provided on a top 210 of the housing 202 in which a vacuum pump mechanism 212 is associated. In use, the suction cup 206 is located on an upper surface of a toilet pan to which the toilet seat and lid is to be attached to in use.

An aperture 214 is defined in the suction cup 206 and this aperture is in communication with suction conduit 216 attached to a vacuum pump 218. Activation of the vacuum pump causes air or fluid to be sucked from the area between the suction cup 206 and the toilet pan surface via suction conduit 216 in use.

A cam head or member 220 is associated with an end of the vacuum pump. The cam head 220 cannot undergo rotational movement but is capable of undergoing linear reciprocal movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve member 208 in which it is located. This linear reciprocal movement of the cam head 220 allows activation and deactivation of the vacuum pump in use.

A shaft 222 is provided having a first end 224 with a cam member 226 provided thereon. A second end 228 of shaft 222 has a profile that is complementary to the profile of a toilet seat attachment. In particular, second end 228 is provided with a plurality of teeth arranged adjacent the peripheral edge of end 228 which engage with complementary recesses provided on an interior wall of a sleeve element 230 associated with a toilet seat 232. Thus, shaft 222 is engaged to the toilet seat 232 via second end 228. As the toilet seat 232 is raised and lowered, this causes shaft 222 to pivot around its longitudinal axis 'χ'.

Cam member 226 is an eccentric cam member, such that rotation or pivoting of shaft 222 causes eccentric cam member 226 to rotate. Eccentric cam member 226 does not undergo longitudinal movement along sleeve member 208. However, due to the profile of the eccentric cam 226, which is complementary in shape to the profile of cam head 220, rotation of cam member 226 causes cam head 220 to move longitudinally along sleeve member 208, thereby activating or deactivating the vacuum pump 21 8.

In the illustration, opening of the toilet seat 232 causes deactivation of the vacuum pump or the vacuum pump to be fully open or relatively extended in terms of its travel capability, as shown in figures 6a and 7b. Closing of the toilet seat causes activation of the vacuum pump or the vacuum pump to be fully closed or relatively depressed or recessed in terms of its travel capability, as shown in figures 6b and 7a. Activation of the vacuum pump, sucks air or fluid from the suction cup 206, thereby increasing the suction force of the suction cup to the toilet pan in use.

The toilet seat mechanism can be used to replenish the vacuum in the suction cup 206 during use or it can be used to create the vacuum in the suction cup. If the toilet seat mechanism is being used to replenish the vacuum in the suction cup only, user actuation means can be provided to allow the initial vacuum to be created and/or released as described previously.

It will also be appreciated that instead of the mechanical cam activation mechanism, a pressure sensor and/or switch can be provided to detect a pressure or pressure change in the suction cup. If the vacuum in the suction cup needs to be replenished, improved, reduced and/or the like, a battery operated mechanism can be used to activate or deactivate the vacuum pump to increase or decrease the vacuum in the suction cup.

It will also be appreciated that the above mechanism can be used with the toilet lid and/or the toilet seat.

A soft close mechanism 234 can be associated with the toilet seat 236 and/or the toilet lid as required.

Claims

1. An attachment mechanism for attaching a toilet seat and/or lid to a toilet pan in use, said attachment mechanism including a body portion having engagement means provided on or associated therewith for engaging at least part of a toilet seat and/or lid to the body portion in use, and attachment means for attaching the body portion to the toilet pan in use, characterised in that the attachment means includes vacuum or suction means or a vacuum or suction mechanism.

2. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein cover means or one or more cover members are provided for use with the attachment mechanism to cover any apertures that may be present on the surface of the toilet pan on which the attachment mechanism is to be used.

3. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein location means or one or more location members are provided for allowing location of the attachment mechanism with one or more conventional toilet pan attachment apertures in use.

4. The attachment mechanism of claim 3 wherein the location means or one or more location members include one or more protruding members, bolts or pins.

5. The attachment mechanism of claim 3 wherein locking means, one or more locking means, adjustment means and/or one or more adjustment members are provided for use with the location means or one or more location members for allowing locking and/or adjustment of the same in use.

6. The attachment mechanism of claim 5 wherein the locking means, one or more locking means, adjustment means and/or one or more adjustment members include any or any combination of one or more screws, nuts, clips or inter-engaging members.

7. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the vacuum or suction means, or vacuum or suction mechanism, is arranged such that it can be moved between a first engaged condition, wherein a vacuum, or at least a partial vacuum, is or can be formed between at least a part of the vacuum/suction means or mechanism and a surface on which the vacuum/suction means or mechanism is placed in use, and a second disengaged condition, wherein a vacuum, or partial vacuum is prevented, cannot be formed, is released and/or said at least part of the vacuum/suction means or mechanism and the surface on which the vacuum/suction means or mechanism is to be placed or removed from is open to atmosphere.

8. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the vacuum or suction means, of the vacuum or suction mechanism, includes one or more suction means or suction cups.

9. The attachment mechanism of claim 8 wherein the one or more suction means or suction cups include or consist of one or more flexible, resilient and/or elastic members.

10. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein actuation means or user actuation means are provided on or associated with the attachment mechanism to allow the vacuum or suction means, or the vacuum or suction mechanism, to be moved between and/or into a first engaged position and/or a second disengaged position in use.

1 1. The attachment mechanism of claim 10 wherein the actuation means or user actuation means are slidably, pivotably and/or rotatably mounted on the body portion of the attachment mechanism.

12. The attachment mechanism of claim 10 wherein the actuation means or user actuation means includes any or any combination of one or more operating levers, buttons, pumps, pump handles, or pump actuation bladders.

13. The attachment mechanism of claim 10 wherein a resilient biasing means or mechanism is provided on or associated with the actuation means or user actuation means to bias the same to a disengaged condition or a position corresponding to the disengaged condition of the vacuum or suction means or mechanism.

14. The attachment mechanism of claim 13 wherein the resilient biasing means or mechanism includes or consists of one or more springs or sprung material.

15. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the engagement means for engaging the toilet seat and/ or lid to the attachment mechanism includes one or more hinge means, hinges, pivot means or pivots .

16. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the engagement means includes one or more hinge supports provided on the body portion of the attachment mechanism for supporting the one or more hinge means or hinges.

17. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 including a toilet seat and/or a toilet lid.

18. The attachment mechanism of claim 12 wherein the pump has a conduit or pipe which connects with the vacuum or suction means or mechanism to allow air and/or fluid to be removed therefrom and/or introduced therein.

19. The attachment mechanism of claim 10 wherein the actuation means or user actuation means is provided in or associated with the engagement means of the attachment mechanism, such the movement of the engagement means in use actuated movement of the actuation means or user actuation means in use.

20. The attachment mechanism of claim 10 wherein actuation of the actuation means or user actuation means is via mechanical means and/or via electrical means.

21. The attachment mechanism of claim 20 wherein the mechanical means includes one or more cams or eccentric cams .

22. The attachment mechanism of claim 21 wherein a first cam or cam element is associated with an end or portion of a pump means, actuation means or user actuation means, and a second cam or cam element is associated with an end or portion of a toilet seat and/or lid in use.

23. The attachment mechanism of claim 22 wherein at least part of the first cam element and at least part of the second cam element that are arranged to engage in use are complementary or substantially complementary in form.

24. The attachment mechanism of claim 22 wherein at least part of the first cam element is arranged to undergo reciprocal linear movement, or substantially reciprocal linear movement, and at least part of the second cam element is arranged to undergo rotational, or substantially rotational movement.

25. The attachment mechanism of claim 20 wherein the electrical means includes any or any combination of one or more batteries, an air or fluid switch, air or pressure detection means or electrical circuitry.

26. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the engagement includes or is associated with a soft close mechanism for allowing soft closing of the toilet seat and/or lid with respect to the attachment mechanism in use.

27. The attachment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the body portion is in the form of a housing.

28. A method of using an attachment mechanism for attaching a toilet seat and/or lid to a toilet pan in use, said attachment mechanism including a body portion having engagement means provided on or associated therewith for engaging at least part of a toilet seat and/or lid to the body portion in use, said method including the step of attaching the body portion to the toilet pan using attachment means, characterised in that the attachment means includes vacuum or suction means or a vacuum or suction mechanism.

29. A toilet seat including an attachment mechanism according to claim 1.

30. A toilet lid including an attachment mechanism according to claim 1.

31. A toilet including an attachment mechanism according to claim 1.