Abstract: A quick release fastener comprising a threaded shaft and a split nut arranged to release threads of the shaft when spread open by squeezing. The shaft may be, for example, a screw or a bolt. The nut is longitudinally split into upper and lower mirror image sections such that half of each turn of the threads is contained within a jaw of the upper section and the other half of each turn is contained within a jaw of the lower section. A handle projects from each jaw, enabling the nut to be opened fashion by squeezing the handles together. The fastener is utilized with an appliance bearing a passageway configured to receive the fastener. The passage way is configured such that slight unthreading of the nut allows the jaws to expand, thereby releasing the shaft from the nut. The appliance may be a commode having a toilet seat arranged to be retained by one or more of the novel fasteners.