Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, a bolt connectable to the hinge post for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the bolt being configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, and a nut threadable onto the bolt to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the nut having a first segment threadable onto the bolt, a second segment and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments, the shear segment having a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post and a fastener for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl. The fastener includes a threaded portion configured to extend into a bore of the toilet bowl, a first segment coupled to an end portion of the threaded portion, a second segment configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded portion of the fastener. The threaded portion, the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the fastener are unitary.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, and an adaptor having a first segment coupled to the head of the bolt, a second segment, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The first and second segments are both configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The head of the bolt is fit into the adaptor such that the first segment of the adaptor surrounds the head.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a threaded fastener extending through the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl, a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener, and a nut threadably coupled to the threaded fastener. The nut includes an expandable section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The nut has a surface that is engaged by a surface of the bushing so that the expandable section of the nut expands as the nut moves relative to the threaded fastener to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A ratchet nut assembly includes an inner member, an outer member, and a spring clip. The inner member includes an outwardly extending tooth. The outer member is positioned around a portion of the inner member and includes an inwardly extending pawl. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to rotate the inner member with the outer member in a first direction when a torque applied to the outer member is below a predetermined value and is operable to deflect outwardly to allow rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in the first direction when the torque applied to the outer member is above the predetermined value. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to prevent rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in a second direction. The spring clip is positioned around a portion of the outer member to limit deflection of the pawl.

Abstract: A ratchet nut assembly includes an inner member, an outer member, and a spring clip. The inner member includes an outwardly extending tooth. The outer member is positioned around a portion of the inner member and includes an inwardly extending pawl. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to rotate the inner member with the outer member in a first direction when a torque applied to the outer member is below a predetermined value and is operable to deflect outwardly to allow rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in the first direction when the torque applied to the outer member is above the predetermined value. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to prevent rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in a second direction. The spring clip is positioned around a portion of the outer member to limit deflection of the pawl.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, and a bolt embedded in the hinge post and configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, the bolt having thereon a plurality of projections extending into the hinge post to distribute to the hinge post forces applied to the bolt.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a threaded fastener extending through the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl, a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener, and a nut threadably coupled to the threaded fastener. The nut includes an expandable section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The nut has a surface that is engaged by a surface of the bushing so that the expandable section of the nut expands as the nut moves relative to the threaded fastener to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, and an adaptor having a first segment coupled to the head of the bolt, a second segment, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The first and second segments are both configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The head of the bolt is fit into the adaptor such that the first segment of the adaptor surrounds the head.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly includes first and second hinges configured to be mounted on a toilet bowl, an adult seat coupled to the hinges for pivotal movement about an axis, and a child seat including a child ring portion and first and second arms extending from the child ring portion. The child seat is removably coupled to the hinges for pivotal movement about the axis and is removable from the hinges by squeezing the arms towards one another.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, and a bolt embedded in the hinge post and configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, the bolt having thereon a plurality of projections extending into the hinge post to distribute to the hinge post forces applied to the bolt.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, and a bolt embedded in the hinge post and configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, the bolt having thereon a plurality of projections extending into the hinge post to distribute to the hinge post forces applied to the bolt.

Abstract: A toilet assembly comprising: a toilet bowl; a toilet seat; and a hinge pivotally connecting the toilet seat to the toilet bowl, the hinge including a base portion connected to the toilet bowl, the base portion being made of a relatively rigid material; a leaf portion connected to the toilet seat, the leaf portion being made of a relatively rigid material; and a living hinge portion pivotally connecting the base portion to the leaf portion, the living hinge portion being made of a relatively flexible material.

Abstract: A receptacle for holding a meltable sharps container during a sterilization process in which the meltable sharps container and any contained sharps are heated. The receptacle includes a side wall and a bottom wall having respective interior surfaces defining a space for receiving the meltable sharps container. The receptacle also includes a plurality of recessed areas in the interior surface of the bottom wall, and a plurality of elevated areas on the interior surface of the bottom wall, whereby as the sharps container melts, material from the sharps container flows into the recessed areas and the elevated areas hold the contained sharps above the recessed areas, so as to inhibit the contained sharps from protruding through the melted sharps container.

Abstract: A receptacle for holding a meltable sharps container during a sterilization process in which the meltable sharps container and any contained sharps are heated. The receptacle includes a side wall and a bottom wall having respective interior surfaces defining a space for receiving the meltable sharps container. The receptacle also includes a plurality of recessed areas in the interior surface of the bottom wall, and a plurality of elevated areas on the interior surface of the bottom wall, whereby as the sharps container melts, material from the sharps container flows into the recessed areas and the elevated areas hold the contained sharps above the recessed areas, so as to inhibit the contained sharps from protruding through the melted sharps container.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, a bolt connectable to the hinge post for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the bolt being configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, and a nut threadable onto the bolt to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the nut having a first segment threadable onto the bolt, a second segment and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments, the shear segment having a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, and a bolt embedded in the hinge post and configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, the bolt having thereon a plurality of projections extending into the hinge post to distribute to the hinge post forces applied to the bolt.