WO2017207866A1

WO2017207866A1 - A hinge for a toilet seat ring, a toilet seat ring assembly and a toilet seat

Info

Publication number: WO2017207866A1
Application number: PCT/FI2017/050144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jukka Tikkanen
Original assignee: Schaupro Oy
Priority date: 2016-06-02
Filing date: 2017-03-03
Publication date: 2017-12-07
Also published as: FI126618B; EP3463022A1; EP3463022A4; FI20165461A

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge for a toilet seat ring assembly and an upright positioned toilet seat ring assembly comprising at least one hinge member (102). According to an aspect of the invention, the hinge member (102) comprises a frame part (102b) and an elastic body (102a). The frame part (102b) comprises a mounting arrangement which is removably mountable to a toilet bowl. The frame part (102b) also comprises a mounting member (102c) which is removably mountable to a toilet seat ring (100). The elastic body (102a) is arranged to lift the toilet seat ring (100) to a vertical position and to maintain the upright position. It is also a purpose of the invention to provide a toilet seat comprising at least one toilet seat hinge-receiving cavity, into which a toilet seat ring assembly according to the invention is removably mounted.

Description

A hinge for a toilet seat ring, a toilet seat ring assembly and a toilet seat

Technical field

The invention relates to a hinge for a toilet seat ring assembly and an upright positioned toilet seat ring assembly comprising at least one hinge member. The invention also relates to a toilet seat in which the upright toilet seat ring assembly is removably mounted.

Background

It is a common problem that, especially in public toilets, the toilet seat rings are often found in an unsanitary condition. Depending on how the toilet seat ring has been left by the previous user, the conventional toilet seat rings rest in either a horizontal, seated position, or a vertical, upright position. Public usage and number of users have effect on cleaning cycle, for example. It is desirable to have more predictable maintenance tasks and intervals. Such enables maintenance planning and thereby maintaining toilets clean for use.

US 6230335 B1 discloses a one-piece toilet seat hinge composed of an elastomeric material throughout. NL 1025017 C2 discloses a device for lifting or lowering a toilet seat comprising a first hinge part, a second hinge part and a spring component. US 6012180 A discloses a pair of leaf springs that can be inserted between the seat of a commode and the bowl and that will urge the seat to the up position. NL 2000042 C2 discloses a toilet seat hinge biased towards raised seat position, including a holder part specially shaped for clamping around seat edge. US 20150173574 A1 discloses an attachment clip for toilets that allows the toilet seat to maintain an upright position. US 2305147 A discloses a unitary toilet seat bracket mountable upon the conventional toilet bowl and provided with parts disposed to urge the hingedly mounted seat toward the inoperative or open position. Summary

It is the purpose of the invention to provide an upright positioned toilet seat ring assembly.

According to an aspect of the invention a hinge comprises at least one hinge member, which hinge member comprises a frame part and an elastic body. The frame part comprises a mounting arrangement which is removably mountable to a toilet bowl. The frame part also comprises a mounting member which is removably mountable to a toilet seat ring. The elastic body of the hinge member is arranged onto a portion of the frame part. The portion of the frame part is arranged flexible. The elastic body is arranged to maintain an original form of the hinge member. The elastic body and the portion of the frame part are arranged to bend in response to a force applied.

An aspect of the invention relates to a toilet seat ring assembly removably mountable via the hinge. An aspect of the invention relates to a toilet seat to which the toilet seat ring assembly is removably mountable via the hinge. The elastic body is arranged to lift the toilet seat ring to a vertical position and to maintain the upright position. The toilet seat ring is movable to a horizontal position by a force applied to it.

It is also a purpose of the invention to provide a toilet seat comprising at least one toilet seat hinge-receiving cavity, into which toilet seat hinge-receiving cavity a toilet seat ring assembly according to the invention is removably mounted.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows an upright toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on a toilet bowl of a toilet seat, shows a slanted side view of a toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment when in the upright position, shows a slanted side view of a toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment when in the horizontal position, shows a slanted side view of a rear part of a toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment, shows a side view of a toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment, and

Figure 6 shows a projection of a hinge member according to an embodiment.

Detailed description

The invention is described in the following in more detail with reference to some embodiments, which shall not be regarded as limiting the invention.

Figure 1 shows an upright toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment mounted on a toilet bowl of a toilet seat. The toilet bowl of a toilet seat comprises an annular edge area 200. When in rest position, i.e. no forces applied to it, a toilet seat ring 100 is in an upright position. The upright position of the toilet seat ring 100 corresponds to a vertical position with respect to the upper surface of the annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl, as shown in Figs 1 and 2. The toilet seat ring 100 is arranged to move between two end positions, i.e. the upright position, vertical with respect to the upper surface of the annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl, and a seated position, horizontal with respect to the upper surface of the annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl. The toilet seat ring 100 may comprise at least one handle member 101 , optionally molded as part of it. When a toilet user wishes to change position of the seat ring, the user may grip a handle member 101 and by pressing the handle member 101 align the seat ring down to a seated position, horizontal with respect to the upper surface of the annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl. The toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment comprises at least one hinge member 102. According to an embodiment, the toilet seat ring assembly comprises at least two hinge members 102. The hinge member 102 is arranged to bend as shown in Figs 3-5, when the toilet seat ring 100 is pressed down to a seated position. The toilet seat ring is arranged to be kept in the seated, horizontal with respect to the upper surface of the annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl, position by a force directed to the toilet seat ring 100. When the force no longer prevails, or keeps the toilet seat ring 100 in its seated position, the toilet seat ring 100 is arranged to automatically rise to an upright position due to the hinge member 102.

A projection of a hinge member 102 according to an embodiment is shown in Figure 6. The hinge member 102 comprises a frame part 102b and an elastic body 102a arranged onto a portion of the frame part 102b. The frame part 102b may be composed of polyamide. The material of the frame part 102b is hard with respect to the elastic body 102a. The frame part 102b is elongated. The frame part 102b may comprise a longitudinal portion having fixing members on its both ends. A fixing member may comprise a fixing part attachable to a counterpart. A fixing member may comprise threads. According to an embodiment, the fixing member may comprise a mounting arrangement, which may comprise a screw member 102d, which is attachable to a compatible nut 102e. The compatible nut 102e according to an embodiment may be a wing nut. A fixing member may comprise a mounting member 102c arranged to be attached to a compatible counterpart. Mounting member and its counterpart may comprise a groove and a part arranged to slide in the groove. The frame part 102b may be a one-piece frame part. The frame part 102b may be manufactured by a single molding process. Molding process may comprise injection molding process.

The elastic body 102a of a hinge member 102 may comprise elastomeric material. Elastomeric material may comprise silicone, synthetic rubber and/or thermoplastic elastomer. The elastic body 102a is arranged to support the weight of the toilet seat ring 100 in order to be able to lift the toilet seat ring to an upright position and to maintain the toilet seat ring 100 in the upright position. The Shore A (Durometer) hardness value of the elastomeric material may be 30-70, preferably 40-60, more preferably 50-60. Elasticity enables bending of the elastic body 102a between the toilet seat and the toilet seat ring 100. The elastic body 102a enables change of position of the toilet seat ring 100 between vertical and horizontal positions. Hardness of the of the elastic body 102a enables maintaining upright position of the hinge member 102 and the attached toilet seat ring 100.

The toilet seat ring 100 is arranged to maintain its upright position, when no force is applied to it. Moving the toilet seat ring 100 from the upright position towards and/or to the seated position is implementable by applying a force, like a mechanical- or a pressing force, arranged to change the position of the toilet seat ring 100 and/or arranged to reversible change the form of the hinge member 102. According to an embodiment, the frame part 102b comprises a collar or a lip portion in between the ends of elongated frame part. The collar divides the frame part 102b into a static section 400 and a bending section 300 as shown in Figure 6. The static section 400 comprises a mounting arrangement that fits the hinge-receiving cavity of the toilet bowl. The bending section 300 comprises a portion of the frame part 102b, the elastic body 102a and the mounting member 102c. The bending section 300 is arranged to have elasticity in order to bend and hardness in order to maintain its position parallel with the static section 400. Elastic body 102a is arranged at least partly around a portion of the frame part 102b. The portion of the frame part 102b, onto which the elastic body 102a is arranged, is arranged to bend. The portion of the frame part 102b is arranged to be bendable to one direction, optionally between parallel and perpendicular positions with respect to the static section 400. The bending section 300 is arranged to be bendable to one direction, optionally between parallel and perpendicular positions with respect to the static section 400.The frame part 102b of the static section 400 and the frame part 102b of the bending section 300 may be an integrated frame part 102b. The frame part 102b of the static section 400 and the frame part 102b of the bending section 300 may be made of the same material. Bending or flexible or elastic properties of the portion of the frame part 102b may be arranged by form, shape, profile, or alike properties of the portion of the frame part 102b as part of the bending section 300. The frame part portion passing through the elastic body 102a is arranged to be thinner with respect to the frame part portion comprising the static section 400. The elastic body 102a at least partly surrounds the thin or flat portion of the frame part 102b at the bending section 300. The elastic body 102a is arranged to deform reversibly. The reversible deformation of the elastic body 102a is responsible for lifting the toilet seat ring 100 attached to the hinge member 102 when the force directed to the toilet seat ring 100 is released. The elastic body 102a may support the frame part 102b arranged to pass through the bending section 300 and thus improve the abrasion resistance of the frame part 102b.

According to an embodiment, manufacturing of a hinge member 102 is performed in a two-step process. The frame part 102b is first injection molded, after which the elastic body 102a is preferably casted or vulcanized at least partly around the frame part 102b. According to another embodiment, the elastic body 102a is casted or vulcanized entirely around the frame part 102b. The frame part 102b may be an integrated part, like a one-piece. The frame part 102b may be made by one-step process, like a molding process. The hinge member 102 is removably mountable in the toilet seat ring hinge- receiving cavity and in the toilet bowl by a fixing member. According to an embodiment, the fixing member comprises mounting arrangement comprising a screw member 102d and a compatible nut 102e. In order to mount the toilet seat ring 100 on a toilet bowl, the screw member 102d of at least one hinge member 102 is screwed into the hinge-receiving cavity of the toilet bowl and fastened with the compatible nut 102e from underside of the annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl. When mounted, the collar of the frame part 102b leans on the upper surface of the annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl surrounding at least partly edge area of the hinge-receiving cavity into which the hinge member 102 is mounted.

The hinge member 102 is removably mountable to the toilet seat ring 100 with the help of at least one mounting member 102c. According to an embodiment, the mounting member 102c is formulated in such a way that it fits and is removably mountable into a groove 103 located at a rear part of the toilet seat ring 100, as shown in Figure 4. The mounting member 102c may be arranged to slide to the groove 103 of the toilet seat ring 100. The groove 103 may comprise form of a letter C or alike form in order to hold the mounting member 102c. The mounting member 102c may comprise a form and/or elasticity arranged to form a counterpart for the groove 103 such that the mounting member 102c mounted to the groove 103 maintains its position. The mounting member 102c is slidably and removably mountable to the groove 103 of the toilet seat ring 100. Alternatively an elastic mounting member may be pushed or pressed to a groove 103.

The toilet seat assembly according to an embodiment comprises the toilet seat ring 100 manufactured by injection molding. The material of the toilet seat ring 100 may comprise polypropene or any other thermoplastic polymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The weight of the toilet seat ring 100 may be 350-450 g.

In order to improve the sanitary conditions, the material of the toilet seat ring 100 according to an embodiment comprises antimicrobial agent. According to an embodiment, the antimicrobial agent is mixed with the toilet seat ring material before the injection molding process. Additionally or alternatively, the toilet seat ring 100 may be coated with a coating comprising antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial agent may be based on inorganic or organic substance. Antimicrobial agent may comprise for example silver ions or copper ions, or any other substance showing antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial agent may comprise ion-exchange substances which release metal ions at a controlled speed. Antimicrobial agent inhibits or reduces the ability of microorganisms to grow. Antimicrobial agent may interrupt microbial cell functions, thus retarding growth, inhibiting respiration and preventing reproduction.

According to an embodiment, the lower surface of the toilet seat ring 100 comprises at least one friction pad. The material of the friction pad may comprise thermoplastic elastomer and/or silicone. The friction pads are fastened to the lower surface of the toilet seat ring 100 after the injection molding process. The friction pads may be fastened mechanically or adhesively. According to an embodiment, the lower surface of the toilet seat ring 100 is textured. The toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment enables the toilet seat ring 100 to be maintained in an upright position. In the upright position the upper side of the seat ring is protected from the possible splatter as well as other dirt, like dust, hairspray etc. The toilet seat ring 100 is automatically maintained in the vertical position with respect to the upper, substantially horizontal, surface of annular edge area 200 of the toilet bowl. The fixing members of the hinge member 102 enable removable mounting of the hinge member 102 to the toilet bowl and/or to the toilet seat ring 100. The complementary structure of the mounting member 102c of the hinge member 102 and the groove 103 located at the rear part of the toilet seat ring 100 enable removable mounting of the hinge member 102 to the toilet seat ring 100. Thus the hinge member 102 and/or the toilet seat ring 100 are easily replaceable. Furthermore, when the mounting member 102c is mounted in the groove 103, the mounting member 102c may be laterally slid in order to allow the installation of the toilet seat ring assembly to the toilet bowls having the hinge-receiving cavities at variable distance from each other. The toilet seat ring assembly disclosed enables mounting of the toilet seat ring into a variety of toilet bowls regardless of the distance of the hinge-receiving cavities of the bowl.

A toilet seat according to an embodiment comprises at least one toilet seat ring hinge-receiving cavity into which a toilet seat ring assembly, comprising at least one hinge member arranged to automatically rise to an upright position, is removably mounted. The at least one hinge member comprises a frame part and an elastic body. The frame part comprises a mounting arrangement which is removably mountable to a toilet bowl, and a mounting member which is removably mountable to a toilet seat ring. The elastic body is arranged onto a portion of the frame part. The portion of the frame part, which is at least partly surrounded by the elastic body, is arranged bendable. The portion of the frame part is arranged to bent, curve or fold. This may be arranged with thin or flat or alike structure portion including reduced amount of material compared to the static, hard frame portion. The elastic body is arranged to lift the toilet seat ring to a vertical position, and the toilet seat ring is movable to a horizontal position. A hinge for a toilet seat ring assembly according to an embodiment comprises at least one hinge member. The at least one hinge member comprises a frame part and an elastic body. The frame part comprises a mounting arrangement which is removably mountable to a toilet bowl. The frame part also comprises a mounting member which is removably mountable to a toilet seat ring. The elastic body is arranged onto a portion of the frame part, wherein the portion of the frame part is arranged flexible. The elastic body is arranged to maintain an original form of the hinge member, and the elastic body and the portion of the frame part are arranged to bend in response to a force applied.

The hinge according to an embodiment comprises the mounting arrangement arranged on one end of the frame part and the mounting member arranged on the opposite end of the frame part. According to an embodiment, the mounting arrangement comprises a screw member and a compatible nut. The elastic body of the at least one hinge member is casted or vulcanized at least partly around the portion of the frame part. The elastic body of the at least one hinge member comprises elastomeric material. According to an embodiment, the frame part is an integrated frame part. The frame part is made by molding process, optionally by injection molding. The portion of the frame part is arranged between the mounting arrangement and the mounting member of the frame part. The hinge member comprises a static section made of the frame part and a bending section made of the elastic body and the portion of the frame part at least partly surrounded by the elastic body. The portion of the frame part is arranged to be bendable to one direction, optionally between parallel and perpendicular positions with respect to the static section.

A toilet seat ring assembly according to an aspect of the invention comprises a hinge according to at least one/all embodiment(s). According to an embodiment, the toilet seat ring of the toilet seat ring assembly comprises at least one groove, into which the mounting member is removably mountable. The mounting member is slidable within the at least one groove. According to an embodiment, the material of the toilet seat ring comprises antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent is mixed with the toilet seat ring material before the injection molding process. According to an embodiment, the toilet seat ring comprises at least one handle member, optionally molded into it or with it. According to an embodiment, the elastic body is arranged to lift the toilet seat ring to a vertical position and to maintain the vertical position of the toilet seat ring, and the toilet seat ring is movable to a horizontal position, wherein the vertical position and the horizontal position correspond to the position of the toilet seat ring, when removably mounted to the mounting member of the frame part, with respect to a toilet bowl, to which the mounting arrangement of the frame part is removably mounted.

A toilet seat according to an aspect of the invention comprises at least one toilet seat ring assembly according to at least one/all embodiment(s).

Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the detailed description in previous. Such obvious variations are within the full intended scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1 . A hinge for a toilet seat ring assembly comprising at least one hinge member (102), characterized in that

- the at least one hinge member (102) comprises a frame part (102b) and an elastic body (102a),

- the frame part (102b) comprises a mounting arrangement which is removably mountable to a toilet bowl,

- the frame part (102b) comprises a mounting member (102c) which is removably mountable to a toilet seat ring (100),

- the elastic body (102a) is arranged onto a portion of the frame part (102b), wherein the portion of the frame part is arranged flexible,

- the elastic body (102a) is arranged to maintain an original form of the hinge member (102), and

- the elastic body (102a) and the portion of the frame part are arranged to bend in response to a force applied.

2. The hinge according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting arrangement is arranged on one end of the frame part (102b) and the mounting member (102c) on the opposite end of the frame part (102b).

3. The hinge according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the mounting arrangement comprises a screw member (102d) and a compatible nut (102e).

4. The hinge according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastic body (102a) of the at least one hinge member (102) is casted or vulcanized at least partly around the portion of the frame part (102b).

5. The hinge according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic body (102a) of the at least one hinge member (102) comprises elastomeric material .

6. The hinge according to any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame part (102b) is an integrated frame part.

7. The hinge according to any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the frame part (102b) is made by molding process, optionally by injection molding.

8. The hinge according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the portion of the frame part (102b) is arranged between the mounting arrangement and the mounting member (102c) of the frame part (102b).

9. The hinge according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the hinge member (102) comprises a static section (400) made of the frame part (102b) and a bending section (300) made of the elastic body and the portion of the frame part (102b) at least partly surrounded by the elastic body (102a).

10. The hinge according to the claim 9, wherein the bending section (300) is arranged to be bendable to one direction, optionally between parallel and perpendicular positions with respect to the static section (400).

1 1 . A toilet seat ring assembly comprising the hinge according to any of the claims 1 -10.

12. The toilet seat ring assembly according to the claim 1 1 , wherein the toilet seat ring (100) comprises at least one groove (103), into which the mounting member (102c) is removably mountable.

13. The toilet seat ring assembly according to the claims 1 1 or 12, wherein the mounting member (102c) is slidable within the at least one groove (103).

14. The toilet seat ring assembly according to any of the claims 10 to 13, wherein the material of the toilet seat ring (100) comprises antimicrobial agent.

15. The toilet seat ring assembly according to the claim 14, wherein the antimicrobial agent is mixed with the toilet seat ring material before the injection molding process.

16. The toilet seat ring assembly according to any of the claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the toilet seat ring (100) comprises at least one handle member, optionally molded into it or with it.

17. The toilet seat ring assembly according to any of the claims 1 1 to 16, wherein the elastic body (102a) is arranged to lift the toilet seat ring (100) to a vertical position and to maintain the vertical position of the toilet seat ring (100), and the toilet seat ring (100) is movable to a horizontal position, wherein the vertical position and the horizontal position correspond to the position of the toilet seat ring (100), when removably mounted to the mounting member (102c) of the frame part (102b), with respect to a toilet bowl, to which the mounting arrangement of the frame part (102b) is removably mounted.

18. A toilet seat comprising at least one hinge according to any of the claims

I to 10 or at least one toilet seat ring assembly according to any of the claims

I I to 17.