SELF-ACTUATING TOILET SEAT ASSEMBLY
The present invention generally relates to the field of toilet seats, and in particular, self actuating toilet seat and toilet seat lid assemblies which silently close after use. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to a piston and cylinder designs.
This application is a continuation of Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 61/610,913, filed on Mar. 14, 2012 (and entitled Self-Actuating Toilet Seat Assembly) which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of toilet seats, and in particular, self actuating toilet seats and toilet seat lid assemblies. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to a toilet seat lid which silently closes after use. The seat of the toiled seat assembly may also silently close after use. Toilet seat lids are often left up after use thereby leaving the toilet open which is an often unwanted position. Toilet seat lids also often slam closed causing unwanted noise and wear and tear.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is therefore a great need in the art for a toilet seat assembly in which either the lid or both the seat and lid automatically and silently close after use. Although there are numerous toilet lids on the market today that have features that automatically dampen the descent of the toilet seat while lowering, these devices do not adequately dampen the movement of the assembly, among other shortcomings.
Accordingly, there is now provided with this invention an improved toilet seat effectively overcoming the aforementioned difficulties and longstanding problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [This Section Will be Completed Upon Final Approval of the Claims]Certain embodiments of the present invention present invention include a novel counterbalance mechanism which may comprise a cooperating spring and cam assembly as depicted in the figures included herewith. The counterbalance mechanism may permit in certain embodiments a three phase movement as detailed in the figures. The counterbalance mechanism may include a mechanism to prevent damage to unit when a user forces the lid closed inadvertently, and such mechanism may be realized by use of a vacuum which enables force to be limited in the cylinder.
Embodiments of the present invention may also comprise a pneumatic cylinder which may operate in cooperation with the aforementioned spring counterbalance mechanism to provide damping and protection against unwanted closing of the assembly. The pneumatic cylinder may include one or more of a plastic piston, extruded aluminum cylinder housing, an air inlet valve and an airflow check valve, as depicted in the figures. One or more of these cylinders may be combined in a damper assembly so that one or more cylinders operate cooperatively to damp the movement of the assembly. The aforementioned cylinder may include one or more of the following features: a plastic cylinder end cap bonded to an aluminum extrusion; umbrella type check valves; airflow metering via needle valve and/or orifice.
Other embodiments of the present invention include a locking mechanism, as depicted in the figures, to assist in maintaining the assembly in an open position as desired by a user.
Still other embodiments of the present invention provide “anti-clamshell” protection, that is, protection against partial or full closing of the assembly while a user is seated thereon. These embodiments may include a cam/stopper mechanism as shown in the figures.
Other embodiments of the present invention may include a mechanism for effectively transferring load from the seat lid to the base of the toilet when such load is applied to the seat lid by a reclining user.
Embodiments of the present invention may meet the following general requirements:
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- Working temperature range 45° F. to 110° F.
- Storage temperature 0° F. to 130° F.
- Work in Relative Humidity of 0-100%
- Enclosed so as to withstand dusty, wet, etc. environments.
- High water environment so unit must be somewhat water resistant
- Chemical resistance to harsh household cleaners that contain chlorine, ammonia, lemon, mild acids, etc.To meet the aforementioned requirements, suitable materials must be selected.
Embodiments of the present invention may have the following functionality:
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- Self closing with no outside interference
- Manual override when person (20+ lbs weight) is sitting on seat so lid does not close on a user
- Force to lift must not be restrictive (Children to Adults)
- Release function to avoid damage when users attempt to override the system, or, alternatively, sufficiently robust design to withstand pulling loads of 50+ lbs force.
- Anti-“clamshell” while person sitting on seat.
The foregoing Summary of the Invention is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure contained herein nor limit the scope of the appended claims. To the contrary, as will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, variations of the foregoing described embodiments may be implemented without departing from the claimed invention.
The method and apparatus of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed discussion of specific embodiments and the attached figures which illustrate and exemplify such embodiments.
The objects and features of the invention may be understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention taken together in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The following preferred embodiment as exemplified by the drawings is illustrative of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claims of this application.
A toilet seat assembly having a self actuating apparatus is disclosed herein.
The toilet seat assembly 1 is generally illustrated in
The self actuating apparatus 8 has a counter balance mechanism 12 as illustrated in
The operation of the spring force is as follows: When the lid (or the seat) is in the up position, the downward pulling force exerted by the spring is in the range of from about 5 ftlbs. to about 6 ftlbs. At approximately the middle of the stroke, that is, when the lid or seat is at an approximately 45 degree position, the spring is applying little force and starts acting as a counter balance. As the part to which the spring is applied moves beyond the approximate 45 degree position and is closer to being in the closed position, the spring starts exerting an upwards pulling force. At the end of the stroke, the spring is lifting the seat/lid with approximately 5-6 lbs. of force.
The self actuating apparatus 8 optionally has a locking mechanism 20 as is generally illustrated in
A friction mechanism 36 is provided for applying increase friction to the shaft onto which the lid is attached.
Although the particular embodiments shown and described above will prove to be useful in many applications in the toilet seat art and generally in the piston and cylinder technology to which the present invention pertains, further modifications of the present invention will occur to persons skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A toilet seat assembly, comprising:
- a. a lid for moving between an open and a closed position;
- b. a lid biasing device operatively connected to the lid; and
- c. a lid damper operatively connected to the lid for exerting a force opposite to that of the biasing device for a portion of the movement of the lid.
2. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a. a seat for moving between an open and a closed position;
- b. a seat biasing device operatively connected to the seat; and
- c. a seat damper operatively connected to the seat for exerting a force opposite to that of the biasing device for a portion of the movement of the seat.
3. The toilet seat assembly of claim 2, wherein the dampers are pneumatically operated that create a vacuum.
4. A pneumatic cylinder, comprising:
- a. an extruded aluminum cylinder;
- b. a plastic piston slidingly housed in the cylinder;
- c. a plastic cap closing one end of the cylinder, wherein the cap has a check valve therein for allowing air to pass out of the cylinder and preventing air from passing into the cylinder; and
- d. an air inlet valve positioned in the piston for allowing air to pass therethrough.
5. The pneumatic cylinder of claim 4, wherein the cap is bonded to the cylinder.
6. The pneumatic cylinder of claim 5, wherein the check valve is an umbrella check valve.
7. The pneumatic cylinder of claim 6, wherein the air inlet valve is a needle valve.
8. A toilet seat assembly, comprising:
- a. a lid for moving between an open and a closed position;
- b. a lid biasing device operatively connected to the lid;
- c. a lid damper operatively connected to the lid for exerting a force opposite to that of the biasing device for a portion of the movement of the lid;
- d. a seat for moving between an open and a closed position;
- e. a seat biasing device operatively connected to the seat;
- f. a seat damper operatively connected to the seat for exerting a force opposite to that of the biasing device for a portion of the movement of the seat; and
- g. a lid locking mechanism operatively connected to the lid for locking the lid in an open position.
9. A toilet seat assembly, comprising:
- a. a lid for moving between an open and a closed position;
- b. a lid biasing device operatively connected to the lid;
- c. a lid damper operatively connected to the lid for exerting a force opposite to that of the biasing device for a portion of the movement of the lid;
- d. a seat for moving between an open and a closed position;
- e. a seat biasing device operatively connected to the seat;
- f. a seat damper operatively connected to the seat for exerting a force opposite to that of the biasing device for a portion of the movement of the seat; and
- g. a lid stopping device operatively connected to the lid for preventing the lid from closing when a user is seated upon the seat.
10. A toilet seat assembly, comprising:
- a. a lid;
- b. a seat; and
- c. a load transferring mechanism for preventing the lid from closing when a user is seated upon the seat.
11. The toilet seat assembly of claim 10, further comprising;
- a. a locking lip attached to the lid; and
- b. a lid stop attached to the assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 19, 2013
Inventor: Ellis J. Smith (Charlotte, NC)
Application Number: 13/803,687
International Classification: A47K 13/10 (20060101);