TOILET SEAT MOUNTING APPARATUS
An apparatus for a toilet seat hinge assembly has a shroud, a base plate, a pin or pins, two bolts, and two threaded nuts. The shroud has a contoured surface and molded bolt tracks. The base plate has a bolt entry opening and a bolt guide. The pin, or pins, are configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat and optionally a toilet seat cover. The two bolts each have a threaded shaft and a head where the heads are either over-molded or configured to engage the bolt entry opening and the bolt tracks of the shroud. The two threaded nuts are configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts. The apparatus provides a smoothly contoured, relatively joint-free surface for easy cleansing and maintenance of the hinge area of a toilet.
The invention is generally related to the field of plumbing fixtures. Specifically, the invention is related to hinge assemblies for toilet seats and covers.
BACKGROUNDImproving the maintenance, the cleanliness and the sanitation features of conventional toilets has been the subject of many efforts to provide improved toilet seats, toilet bowls and means for connecting them. It has been found that cleaning and sanitizing is complicated by the intricacies of separate hinge-like interconnections between the pivoted seat ring and the flange of a toilet bowl, and by exposed bolt heads and bolt covers. These components typically create excessive joint lines, which, in turn, result in hard to clean grime lines. In many installations the problems are aggravated by the hinge-like interconnection of a separate seat cover mounted above the seat for independent rotation relative thereto. Access to and cleaning of the cluttered interconnections is difficult and inconvenient and maintenance in that area is often distasteful. Therefore, a need exists for an improved toilet seat mounting assembly that provides a smooth, uninterrupted cleaning surface.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, an apparatus is provided, having a toilet seat hinge assembly comprising a shroud, a base plate, a pin configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat, two bolts, and two threaded nuts. In some embodiments, the shroud comprises a contoured surface and molded bolt tracks. In some embodiments, the base plate comprises a bolt entry opening and a bolt guide. In some embodiments, each bolt comprises a threaded shaft and a head, where the heads are configured to engage the bolt entry opening and the molded bolt tracks. In some embodiments, the two threaded nuts are configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts. In other embodiments, the threaded nuts are elongated, and may optionally have set screws or some intentionally cross-threaded or deformed threads to lock-set the nuts to the bolts.
In some embodiment, the molded bolt tracks are configured to receive the heads of the bolts such that when a turning force is applied to the nuts engaged on the threaded shafts of the bolts, the bolt tracks prevent the bolts from turning. In other embodiments, a distance between the bolts is variable via movement of the bolts in the bolt tracks and bolt guides.
In yet other embodiments, the contoured surface of the shroud is a smoothly contoured surface that covers the heads of the bolts. The contoured surface also provides a wipable surface that may be joint-free, whereas the covering element of the fastening components includes no joint lines to eliminate potential grime lines.
In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises two bushings configured to receive the bolts and to be received by the seat mounting holes of a toilet. In some other embodiments, the apparatus further comprises two washers configured to receive the bolts. The connecting pin of the apparatus may comprise two pins. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a toilet seat assembly, wherein the pin interconnects the shroud, the toilet seat, and the toilet seat cover.
In another aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising a toilet seat hinge assembly comprising, a shroud comprising a contoured surface, a pin configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat, two over-molded bolts each comprising a threaded shaft, and two elongated threaded nuts configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts. In some embodiments, the bolts each comprise a head and the shroud comprises solid end sections to accommodate the over-molding of the bolt heads, such that when a turning force is applied to the elongated nuts engaged on the threaded shafts of the bolts, the over-molding prevents the bolts from turning. In other embodiments, the bolts each comprise a head and the heads are over-molded into the shroud such that the shroud and the bolts form a single, contiguous item.
In yet another aspect, a molded bushing tree provides a variety of bushing sizes to correspond to toilet seat mounting holes, which typically vary among toilet fixtures. This feature allows for an enhanced snug fit of the overall hinge/seat assembly to a wider range of toilet fixtures.
Referring now to the figures, exemplary embodiments of an adjustable, dynamic, bolt position, hinge apparatus for the connection of a toilet seat and cover to a toilet are described.
The hinge mechanism 120 is the connector for the toilet seat ring 110 and toilet seat cover 105 to the toilet 103. As noted above, one feature of the hinge mechanism 120 is the shroud 125. As shown by
As shown in the breakaway portion of
In some embodiments, the bottom plate 130 also includes bolt entry openings 131, 132. The bolt entry openings 131, 132 allow for a bolt head 140, 141 to be inserted through the bottom plate 130, and positioned along the bolt guides 133, 134 by sliding back and forth in the guides 133, 134. The size of the bolt guides 133, 134 are such that the head of a bolt 140, 141 is secured within the hinge mechanism 120 and is prevented from pulling out of the bolt guides 133, 134 when secured in place on the toilet 103. Alternatively, the separate bottom plates 530, 531 may have bolt entry openings at the start of the bolt guides which extend in opposite directions from the bolt entry openings. In such an alternative embodiment, the bolt entry opening is sized to accommodate entry of the head of a bolt into the shroud, and the bolt guides are sized in a manner similar to that described to facilitate retention of the bolt head in the shroud.
As shown in
The bolts 140, 141 can be of a variety of configurations. The heads of the bolts 140, 141 are shown in a number of the figures to have a square head to securely engage the bolt track 170, 171 of the shroud 120. However, the shape of the head of a bolt is not necessarily limited to a square configuration. The only limitation to the head shape, is that when a nut is turned onto the threads of the bolt, the shape of the head of the bolt is configured in such a manner as to affect the engagement of the head of the bolt with the bolt track so that the bolt is prevented from turning as the nut is tightened. Thus, the shape of the head of the bolt may range from oval, to triangle, square, rectangle, pentagonal, and the like. The shape of the head may also be a circular shape with opposing sides being flattened such that when engaged in the bolt track the flattened sides prevent the bolt from turning. Optionally, the end of a bolt track may be contoured to complement the shape of the head of the bolt and aid in preventing undesired turning of the bolt when tightening a nut. The interfacing fit between the bolt head and the bolt track also adds stability to all components of the assembly.
The shaft of the bolts 140, 141 are inserted through the seat mounting holes provided in the toilet 103. The holes may optionally be lined with a bushing 145, 146, to fill void space thereby providing a tighter fit for the bolt 140, 141, and resulting in less movement of the seat ring 110 and cover 105, when in place on the toilet. Nuts 155, 156 are used on the bolts 140, 141, to secure them and the whole seat ring 110, cover 105, and hinge 120 assemblies to the toilet. As shown in
As shown in
Returning to
In another aspect, a fixed bolt position hinge apparatus is illustrated by
The hinge mechanism 820 is the connector for the toilet seat ring 810 and toilet seat cover 805 to the toilet 803. As noted above, one feature of the hinge mechanism 820 is the shroud 825. As shown by
As shown in
In such embodiments, the hinge mechanism 820 includes shroud 825 with solid portions which allow for over-molding the head of the bolts 840, 841, such that the bolts become an integral part of the shroud 825. Due to over-molding, the bolt 840, 841 is prevented from turning upon engagement with and subsequent tightening of the nuts 855, 856.
The bolts 840, 841 can be of a variety of configurations. For example, the heads of the bolts 840, 841 are shown in a number of the figures to have a square head to securely over-mold into shrouds 825. However, the only limitation of shape is that the shape of the head of a bolt entail adequate surface area and configuration to provide permanent, firm over-molding to secure the bolt from turning or loosening when a nut is applied to industry standard torque force. The bolt becomes integrally molded, or over-molded, into the shroud such that the bolt and the shroud are essentially a single item with enhanced strength and rigidity, affecting the entire assembly.
The threaded shaft of the bolts 840, 841 may be inserted through the seat mounting holes provided in the toilet 803. The holes may optionally be lined with a bushing 845, 846 to fill void space thereby providing a tighter fit for the bolt 840, 841 and resulting in less movement of the seat 810 and cover 805. Nuts 855, 856 are used on the bolts 840, 841, to secure them and the seat ring 810, cover 805, and hinge 820 assemblies to the toilet. As shown in
As shown in
Returning to
In another aspect, a bushing tree 1100 is provided with matched pairs of various sized bushings to accommodate the variances in seat mounting hole diameters among toilets.
As noted above, the molded tree 1100 may contain bushings 1120 of various sizes and number, because seat mounting holes on toilets often vary in size. Hence, while the inner diameter of the bushing is of a constant size to match the diameter of the threaded shaft of the bolt, the outer diameter of the bushing will be varied to accommodate the varying size of seat mounting holes in toilets. This will result in bushings of varying outer diameter to allow an installer to choose the bushing most appropriate to the toilet to which the seat assembly is being attached. The number of bushing sizes on a tree is not limited.
All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language. (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Examples and embodiments of the invention are described herein, but are not intended to be limiting of the invention. Variations of those examples and embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. While several, non-limiting examples have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the invention in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a toilet seat hinge assembly comprising: a shroud comprising: a contoured surface; and molded bolt tracks; a base plate comprising: a bolt entry opening; and a bolt guide; a pin configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat; two bolts, each bolt comprising: a threaded shaft; and a head; wherein the heads are configured to engage the bolt entry opening and the molded bolt tracks; and two threaded nuts configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the molded bolt tracks are configured to receive the heads of the bolts such that when a turning force is applied to the nuts engaged on the threaded shafts of the bolts, the bolt tracks prevent the bolts from turning.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distance between the bolts is variable via movement of the bolts in the bolt tracks and bolt guides.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contoured surface of the shroud is wipable surface.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising two bushings configured to receive the bolts and to be received by the seat mounting holes of a toilet.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising two washers configured to receive the bolts.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pin comprises two pins.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a toilet seat cover, wherein the pin interconnects the shroud, the toilet seat, and the toilet seat cover.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the threaded nuts are elongated threaded nuts.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the elongated threaded nuts further comprise set screws.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the elongated threaded nuts further comprise intentional cross-threaded or deformed threads.
12. An apparatus comprising:
- a toilet seat hinge assembly comprising; a shroud comprising: a contoured surface; a pin configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat: two over-molded bolts each comprising a threaded shaft; and two elongated threaded nuts configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bolts each comprise a head and the shroud comprises solid end sections to accommodate over-molding of the bolt heads, such that when a turning force is applied to the elongated nuts engaged on the threaded shafts of the bolts, the over-molding prevents the bolts from turning.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bolts each comprise a head and the heads are over-molded into the shroud such that the shroud and the bolts form a single item.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the contoured surface is a wipable surface.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising two bushings configured to receive the bolts and to be received by the seat mounting holes of a toilet.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the bushings are flexible bushings.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising two washers configured to receive the bolts.
19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pin comprises two pins.
20. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a toilet seat cover, wherein the pin interconnects the shroud, the toilet seat, and the toilet seat cover.
21. A molded tree comprising:
- a stem;
- one or more branches; and
- multiple-sized compressible bushings; wherein,
- the stem and branches, and the bushings form a single item; and
- the bushings are removable from the tree.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 5, 2008
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2009
Inventor: Michael R. Leibfried (Lancaster, WI)
Application Number: 12/026,206
International Classification: A47K 13/12 (20060101); A47K 13/00 (20060101);