Hinges Patents (Class 4/240)
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Patent number: 12121188Abstract: A toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is configured to support a user on a toilet bowl while the bottom surface engages a surface of the toilet bowl. The toilet seat assembly further includes a hinge post coupled to the toilet bowl via a fastener and having an elongated slot defining a longitudinal axis. The toilet seat assembly further includes a hinge assembly pivotably coupling the toilet seat to the hinge post about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The hinge assembly at least partially overlaps the elongated slot of the hinge post in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the elongated slot.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jeffrey J. Weiss, Jonathan Arndt
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Patent number: 12102271Abstract: A self-lifting toilet seat system includes a toilet seat configured to be sat upon by a user. The system has a hinge configured to rotatably couple the toilet seat and a toilet bowl. The hinge is configured so that the toilet seat is transitionable from an up position to a down position. A lifting system is configured to raise the toilet seat towards the up position. A sealed hinge housing has at least a portion of a delay system therein. The delay system is configured to cause a time delay before the lifting system causes the toilet seat to self-lift towards the up position. The delay system is configured so that the time delay begins after removal of a threshold downward force on the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Cleana Inc.Inventors: Mingyuan Li, Max Pounanov, Kevin Z. Tang, Greg Blonder
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Patent number: 12063319Abstract: A foldable module and a corresponding device are provided. The foldable module includes a first connection part, a first pin, a first drive ring, and a first spring. The first pin passes through the first drive ring, a first pin hole which is disposed on the first connection part, and the first spring. A first convex part and a first concave part are disposed between the first drive ring and the first connection part. The first convex part is located between (a) the first spring and (b) the first concave part or the first convex part. When the first connection part rotates, or in a folding or unfolding process, the first convex part slides out of the first concave part, to provide damping force for unfolding or folding. The first connection part directly drives the first convex part and the first concave part to move correspondingly, thereby improving transmission accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Weifeng Wu, Ding Zhong
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Patent number: 11910968Abstract: A self-lifting toilet seat system includes a toilet seat configured to be sat upon by a user. The system has a hinge configured to rotatably couple the toilet seat and a toilet bowl. The hinge is configured so that the toilet seat is transitionable from an up position to a down position. A lifting system is configured to raise the toilet seat towards the up position. A sealed hinge housing has at least a portion of a delay system therein. The delay system is configured to cause a time delay before the lifting system causes the toilet seat to self-lift towards the up position. The delay system is configured so that the time delay begins after removal of a threshold downward force on the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Cleana Inc.Inventors: Mingyuan Li, Max Pounanov, Kevin Z. Tang, Greg Blonder
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Patent number: 11896172Abstract: A joint arrangement for the pivotable mounting of a lid, a seat or a seat/lid fitting about a pivot axis on a ceramic sanitary article, which joint arrangement comprises an elongate fastening element which is intended to be arranged on the sanitary article, a bearing element having a passage bore through which the fastening element is intended to engage, and a damper element which damps the pivoting movement and has a connecting element, which likewise has a passage bore into which the fastening element engages or through which said fastening element engages and which fits on the bearing element in the assembled position, wherein the bearing element has a retaining portion which receives the connecting element in a form-fitting manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: DURAVIT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Thomas Stammel, Rüdiger Demmel
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Patent number: 11800958Abstract: The present disclosure provides a toilet seat hinge configured to couple a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The toilet seat hinge including a base configured to be coupled to an upper surface of the toilet bowl, a post defining a pivot axis about which the toilet seat can rotate, the post being slidable onto the base in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the toilet bowl to couple the post to the base, and a cap pivotally coupled to the post. The cap being pivotable about the pivot axis to secure the post on the base.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian A. Henne, Jonathan Arndt
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Patent number: 11647874Abstract: A raised toilet seat has a front part (2) and two wings (3, 4) of which the ends are, before the raised seat is fitted, separated by a gap. The wings (3, 4) at their free ends bear, in the case of one of them (3), a channel section equipped with notches (9, 10), and, in the case of the other (4), an opening (12) to accept the channel section, and ridges (13, 14, 15, 16) to retain the notches (9, 10).Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: HERDEGENInventors: Enrique Aparicio, Vincent Herdegen
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Patent number: 11583149Abstract: A fastening assembly is configured to couple a toilet seat hinge to a toilet bowl by a threaded shaft. The fastening assembly includes a fastening nut including a clamping portion having a resilient protrusion configured to allow axial movement of the fastening nut relative to the threaded shaft without rotation therebetween. The resilient protrusion has threads configured to engage the threaded shaft. The fastening nut includes a drive portion in which the clamping portion extends therefrom. The drive portion has a first segment coupled to a second segment by a shear segment. At least the first segment is configured to be engaged by a tool for the tool to rotate the fastening nut relative to the threaded shaft such that the shear segment fractures at a predetermined torque applied to the first segment relative to the second segment.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian A. Henne, Gérard Etaix, Jonathan Arndt, Joseph M. Hand
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Patent number: 11523719Abstract: The device comprises the toilet seat assembly with a toilet lid and a toilet seat, a hinge sleeve that forms an axis that connects the toilet lid and the toilet seat, a hinge body package, and a hinge base with a pin, wherein the pin is connectable to the hinge body package, and wherein the pin comprises a pin axis that defines a vertical direction. The hinge body package comprises a claw part with flexible claws that are configured to lock the pin in a locking position and that are configured to release the pin by bending outwards from the locking position when a pulling force is acting on the pin for releasing the toilet seat assembly from the toilet bowl. The hinge body package further comprises a blocking member that is configured to rotate by a defined angle each time the pin is pushed into the hinge body package.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: ZHEJIANG HENGYUAN SANITARY WARE CO., LTDInventor: Xu Xiaofeng
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Patent number: 11510533Abstract: This disclosure describes an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal portable personal toilet seat that is resistant to algae, mold and mildew and that can be safely folded and held without the danger of pinched fingers and without a handle.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Inventors: James Jackson, Peter Wong, Anthony Bostick
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Patent number: 11499304Abstract: A bidet attachment system includes an attachment structure configured for removable attachment to a toilet bowl, a spray structure for spraying water, a rotatable dial located on a top side of the attachment structure, and a valve having an inlet section, a valve section downstream of the inlet section, the valve section regulating passage of water from the inlet section, an outlet section downstream of the valve section, wherein the outlet section includes a first outlet that allows for egress of water and a second outlet that allows for egress of water, wherein the valve section includes an adjustable control disc being mechanically coupled with the dial such that rotation of the dial rotates the control disc, the control disc having a first and a second channel bore, and a stationary disc downstream from the stationary disc having a first and a second channel bore.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Tushy, Inc.Inventor: Zachary Bensing
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Patent number: 11344166Abstract: A toilet seat device includes a main body installed at an upper rear part of a toilet, a toilet seat attached to the main body, and a toilet lid. The toilet lid includes a toilet lid main body configured to cover the toilet seat; and a first shaft engagement part attached to the toilet lid main body and attachable to and detachable from a first shaft provided on the main body. The first shaft engagement part is configured to be switchable between an engaged state in which the first shaft engagement part is engaged with the first shaft and a non-engaged state in which the engagement with the first shaft is released and is switched to the non-engaged state when the toilet lid main body in the engagement state is pressed in a direction in which the toilet lid main body moves away from the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: LIXIL CorporationInventors: Isato Hirasawa, Saori Ichihara
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Patent number: 11266278Abstract: A locking assembly for facilitating disassembly and assembly of a toilet cover plate on a mounting hole, comprising a bolt, a shaft sleeve in which a nut and a washer are fitted; two sides of the shaft sleeve are respectively provided with a upper guide groove and a lower guide groove, which are all parallel to an axial direction of the shaft sleeve, and bottoms of the upper guide grooves are narrowed to be steps and connect to tops of the lower guide grooves; the washer slidingly engages with the upper guide grooves by a rotating shaft, the nut slidingly engages with the lower guide grooves by guide ribs; the steps shelves the rotating shafts so that the washer is overhanging. The structure is compact and simple, it is convenient for assembly or disassembly, and has a high assembly and disassembly efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: XIAMEN IPRACE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Weisheng Lian, Feng Guo
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Patent number: 10660490Abstract: A toilet convenient to assemble and disassemble includes a toilet body (10) of which the upper end is provided with a supporting seat (30) and a toilet cover plate (20) of which the rear end is provided with a pivot shaft (40), wherein the supporting seat (30) is provided with an embedding hole (31) and the pivot shaft (40) is provided with an inserting column (41), the inserting column (41) being embedded into the embedding hole (31). In this way, whether the inserting column (41) is aligned to the embedding hole (31) or not can be seen clearly during the installation process, thereby the inserting column (41) may be directly aligned and embedded, thus, the operation is very convenient, blind installation is avoided and the installation efficiency is obviously improved.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: XIAMEN BEEWILL SANITARY CO., LTD.Inventor: Shisong Ren
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Patent number: 10646080Abstract: A toilet seat assembly for installation on a toilet includes a first toilet seat having a first seat aperture and a second toilet seat having a second seat aperture which is smaller than the first seat aperture. At least one of the first and second seats includes an attaching member for selectively attaching the first and second seats to each other. The first and second seat are hingedly connected to each other. When the first and second seats are attached by the attaching member, the first and second seats can be articulated together by an articulating force exerted on either one of the first and second seats. In one example, the first and second seats each include an attaching member which is a magnetic element such that the first and second seats are selectively attached to each other by a magnetic force generated between the magnetic elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Inventor: John E. Regan
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Patent number: 10626947Abstract: The fluid damper device includes a rotor inserted into a case, and a cover fixed to an opening portion of the case. A thin portion is formed at an end portion of the case on one side in an axis direction, and a contact portion which is in contact with a small-diameter portion of the cover in the axis direction is formed at four positions of an inner circumferential surface of the thin portion at equal angular intervals. A partitioning convex portion which partitions a damper chamber in a circumferential direction is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the case, and the contact portions are formed at positions corresponding to the partitioning convex portion in the circumferential direction. A concave portion recessed radially outward is formed at a position different from the contact portion in the circumferential direction, and a welding convex portion is formed in the concave portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATIONInventor: Naoya Mihara
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Patent number: 10610069Abstract: A toilet seat assembly that includes a unitary hinge base and a seat and/or lid rotatably coupled to the hinge base through a pivot member. The unitary hinge base includes a base member having interconnected walls including a front wall and defining an open bottom; a first mount extending from a first portion of the front wall; a second mount extending from a second portion of the front wall; a cover assembly configured to detachably couple to at least one of the first and second mounts in a covering position; a first living hinge connecting the cover assembly to the first mount, such that the cover assembly is movable relative to the first mount through the first living hinge; and a second living hinge connecting the cover assembly to the second mount, such that the cover assembly is movable relative to the second mount through the second living hinge.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventor: Jeffrey T. Laundre
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Patent number: 10610068Abstract: A toilet seat assembly that includes a docking station comprising a body and an electrical contact coupled to the body; a hinge lock configured to couple the body to a toilet base, the hinge lock comprising a fastener engaging an opening in the body and having a bore; a hinge body coupled to the body, such that an electrical contact of the hinge body is electrically connected to the electrical contact of the docking station; a seat and/or a lid rotatably coupled to the hinge; and an electronic component housed on/in the hinge body, the seat, and/or the lid, where the electronic component is electrically connected to the electrical contact of the hinge body and is configured to receive electric power from an electrical wire configured to route through the bore in the fastener to electrically connect to the electrical contact of the docking station.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Jeffrey T. Laundre, Douglas J. Diemel, Jr.
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Patent number: 10582817Abstract: A toilet assembly that includes a toilet base including a bowl, a hinge assembly, and a toilet seat. The hinge assembly includes a housing configured to be secured to the toilet base; a lens comprising a base, which is enclosed within the housing, and a curved portion, which extends forward from the base beyond the housing to direct light from the light source downwardly toward the bowl, wherein the curved portion includes an upper arcuate surface and a lower arcuate surface; and a light source enclosed within the housing and configured to emit light toward an inlet of the base of the lens. The toilet seat is pivotally coupled to the hinge assembly, such that the toilet seat rotates relative to the housing and the lens.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventor: Jeffrey T. Laundre
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Patent number: 10299639Abstract: A lid and seat assembly for a plumbing fixture includes a housing, a lid, and a seat. The housing includes a generally planar front surface and a generally planar rear surface. The lid is pivotably coupled to the housing. The seat is pivotably coupled to the housing. The front surface and the rear surface meet at a first edge located at a first end of the housing and at a second edge at a second end of the housing. The front surface, the rear surface, the first common edge, and the second common edge cooperatively define a continuous surface profile configured to facilitate single-wipe cleaning of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITEDInventors: Robert Karl Stevenson, Simon Mark Bickerstaffe, Keith John Thompson, Matthew Eric Batchelor, Nicholas G. Paget
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Patent number: 10264933Abstract: A toilet convenient to assemble and disassemble includes a toilet body (10) of which the upper end is provided with a supporting seat (30) and a toilet cover plate (20) of which the rear end is provided with a pivot shaft (40), wherein the supporting seat (30) is provided with an embedding hole (31) and the pivot shaft (40) is provided with an inserting column (41), the inserting column (41) being embedded into the embedding hole (31). In this way, whether the inserting column (41) is aligned to the embedding hole (31) or not can be seen clearly during the installation process, thereby the inserting column (41) may be directly aligned and embedded, thus, the operation is very convenient, blind installation is avoided and the installation efficiency is obviously improved.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: XIAMEN BEEWILL SANITARY CO., LTD.Inventor: Shisong Ren
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Patent number: 10041242Abstract: A toilet flange is provided with a planar perimeter portion to assist the installer in accurately determining the distance to an adjacent wall as well as insuring the toilet fastening bolts are aligned parallel thereto. The toilet flange assembly includes a cover to store needed fastening elements while simultaneously preventing debris from entering the plumbing riser pipe. Additionally, a sleeve is provided that protects the threads of the toilet fastening bolts during construction and acts as an extendable flexible guide sleeve. The guide sleeve functionally extends the height of the toilet fastening bolt thereby assisting the toilet installer as a visual aid during installation.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Inventor: Erika Yssel
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Patent number: 9713407Abstract: A toilet set can be removably attached to a toilet fixture using a system having an attachment body and a post with laterally mateable portions. The post has a rod portion extendable through a mounting hole of the toilet fixture and a post engagement portion. The attachment body has a pivot portion, a movable closure, and a receiving opening. The post engagement portion is defined by radially oriented features, such as disc or ring-shaped portions of different diameters. A portion of the periphery of the receiving opening has features with contours inversely shaped with respect to the features of the post engagement portion so that the attachment body engagement portion is laterally mateable with the post engagement portion. The closure is movable between a closed position preventing disengagement of the attachment body and the post and an open position enabling disengagement of the attachment body from the post.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Home Depot Product Authority, LLCInventors: Michael R. Nelson, Edward Scott Seccuro, Andrew L. Solinski
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Patent number: 9549647Abstract: A mounting apparatus for coupling a toilet seat to a toilet includes a bolt including a proximal end comprising an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper flange and lower flange defining a contact portion; and a threaded distal end; and a hinge including a first portion including a mechanism to rotatably couple the first portion to the toilet seat; and a second portion including a resilient member including a C-shaped engagement configured to be received by contact portion of the bolt via a snap fit in response to the application of a horizontal force to hinge.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Inventor: Michael R. Leibfried
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Patent number: 9271617Abstract: A release mechanism including a fixed block with a rotating shaft for toilet lids is described. The release mechanism includes a shell, a fixed block, a rotating shaft, and a U-shaped clamping spring. The shell includes a notch for the rotating shaft. The fixed block includes a U-shaped recess that corresponds to the notch on the shell. The rotating shaft rests inside the U-shaped recess and the notch, connecting the toilet lid to the seat ring. The U-shaped clamping spring engages with the U-shaped recess and clamps the rotating shaft in place.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: SHANGHAI KOHLER ELECTRONICS, LTD.Inventor: Xiaojun Zhou
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Patent number: 9144354Abstract: A lift-off toilet seat includes a hinge body for pivotably supporting a toilet seat and a mounting block having a slot therethrough for enabling positionable attachment of the block to a toilet seat via a bolt. A buckle extends from the hinge body and slidably engages sides of the block with the block having a top opening for enabling both the bolt to pass therethrough and positioning of the block on the toilet bowl together with the hinge body and toilet seat. A cover, hinged to the buckle is provided for covering the buckle and locking the buckle to the block.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: WDI INTERNATIONAL, INCInventor: Mingchang Yang
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Patent number: 8943618Abstract: A toilet seat hinge assembly that includes: a hinge configured for attachment to a toilet seat, a fastener including an expandable head; and a cap formed integrally with the hinge. The cap includes an engaging element extending from the first surface of the cap. The engaging element is configured to engage and expand the head of the fastener in order to releasably connect the toilet seat hinge assembly to a toilet bowl when the cap is in a first position relative to the base portion. A toilet seat assembly including the toilet seat hinge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Centoco Plastics LimitedInventors: Garnet Dundas, Edward Keck
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Patent number: 8910320Abstract: The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Joseph L. Stauber, Erich C. Vierkant, III, Brian M. Kaule
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Patent number: 8844067Abstract: A device to shut-off a water supply to a toilet diverts water from a toilet fill valve to a shut-off valve that has a housing that includes a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges closing of the valve mechanism. A trip latch is adapted to prevent closing of the valve mechanism except when withdrawn from the valve mechanism by a solenoid that is electrically connected to the trip circuit. The trip circuit includes at least one trip sensor input and a power source, such that when the trip circuit detects a fault condition on any of the trip sensors, the trip circuit connects power to the solenoid to withdraw the solenoid to close the valve mechanism. A rest knob may then be rotated to reset the valve mechanism into a valve-open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Ceto Technologies Holdings, LLCInventors: Richard Quintana, David Millar, Kermit L. Achterman
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Publication number: 20140259339Abstract: The toilet seat locking assembly provides a device for anchoring a toilet seat in place. The assembly uses a double nut locking system that combines a seating nut with a locking nut assembly to significantly reduce the tendency of a bolt holding a seat on the toilet from becoming loose. The seating nut includes an interior threaded section for receiving a bolt, at least one ramp extending from the seating nut with a pilot extending from the ramp so that the pilot extends from the seating nut into a locking nut. The pilot extending from the seating nut ramp is designed to break away due to engagement with the locking nut, upon turning of the seating nut beyond a limit. The locking nut includes a threaded section for receiving the bolt. The locking nut has at least one pilot receiving slot, one ramp receiving slot, and a handle section for conveniently tightening the device and securing the seating nut and locking nut together.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Toilet Titan, Inc.Inventors: Alberto Isaac Rubio, Aaron Dickens Meares
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Publication number: 20140215700Abstract: A toilet seat hinge assembly and method of installing the assembly are described, wherein the assembly includes a hinge body having a seat and a central opening extending longitudinally through the body; a fastening hinge post having a head, a longitudinally extending body and at least one locking pin; a bushing having an upper flange portion and a longitudinally extending body defining a longitudinally extending channel therethrough, which body further has at least one transversely extending groove in or on the bushing body; and at least one fastening device for securing the hinge assembly to a toilet. The at least one locking pin locks the assembly by rotation of the fastening hinge post body within the channel in the bushing body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: AS IP Holdco, LLCInventor: Robert M. Jensen
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Publication number: 20140208494Abstract: A child's toilet seat which has handles for a child to grip when on the toilet seat and additional handles for an adult to use to remove the seat from a toilet bowl. The toilet seat is in two sections, the sections being joined by a pair of hinges which allows the seat to be folded before and after use.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventor: Ginichi Ohira
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Publication number: 20140189947Abstract: A toilet includes a seat, a bowl and a damper locking mechanism that allows the seat to rotate relative to the bowl with an influenced inertia. The damper locking mechanism includes a hinge base having a biasing member and an interior surface that defines a bore and a damper having an exterior surface that engages the interior surface. When the damper is disposed in the bore, the biasing member imparts a radial force to bias the damper into the hinge base and remove a looseness between the seat and the bowl.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Roger W. Murphy, Jeffrey T. Laundre, David Ourada
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Patent number: 8763169Abstract: A bracket assembly for an elevated toilet seat includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket includes an opening, and the second bracket includes a cam that selectively engages the opening. The cam is rotatable between a first position and a second position to engage the first bracket relative to the second bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp.Inventors: James Leroy Daniels, Earl David Forrest
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Publication number: 20140150172Abstract: A toilet seat fastening apparatus for use in tightening a toilet seat with a bolt having a plurality of bolt threads to a porcelain toilet bowl that defines a bolt hole, includes a body member having a channel extending between upper and lower ends that is configured to receive the bolt therethrough. The channel includes channel threads complementary to the bolt threads. The body member includes a central portion having a pair of opposed flanges extending outwardly and configured to be grasped by a user's fingers. The body member includes an upper portion situated atop the central portion having a diameter complementary to a diameter of the porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole so as to be selectively positioned therein. The body member may include a lower portion situated below the central portion and configured to be engaged by a wrench. The upper, central, and lower portions have a unitary construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventor: Ralph D. Clark
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Patent number: 8671468Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Joseph Hand, John Seaman
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Patent number: 8657086Abstract: An identical engagement hole 12b is formed in each of first and second brackets 1, 2. A first engagement portion 31c is formed in a damper body 31 of a rotary damper 3. A distal end portion of a rotor 32 of the rotary damper 3 is non-rotatably inserted in an adapter 4. A third engagement portion 46 is formed in an outer circumference of the adapter 4. The first engagement portion 31c is non-rotatably inserted in the engagement hole 12b of the first bracket 1. The third engagement portion 46 is non-rotatably inserted in the engagement hole 12b of the second bracket 2.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinpei Iwata
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Patent number: 8631520Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet having a bowl and a seat includes a hinge post configured to mount to the bowl. The hinge post includes a splined inner surface defining a bore. The hinge assembly also includes a pintle extending through the bore and configured to engage the seat to pivotally couple the seat to the hinge post. The pintle includes a splined portion that engages the splined inner surface of the hinge post to prevent rotation of the pintle relative to the hinge post.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Brian A. Henne
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Publication number: 20130340154Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Joseph Hand, Brian L. Le Mahieu, Brian A. Henne, Randall Grebel
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Publication number: 20130312171Abstract: A lift-off toilet seat includes a hinge body for pivotably supporting a toilet seat and a mounting block having a slot therethrough for enabling positionable attachment of the block to a toilet seat via a bolt. A buckle extends from the hinge body and slidably engages sides of the block with the block having a top opening for enabling both the bolt to pass therethrough and positioning of the block on the toilet bowl together with the hinge body and toilet seat. A cover, hinged to the buckle is provided for covering the buckle and locking the buckle to the block.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventor: Mingchang Yang
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Publication number: 20130269092Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Joseph Hand, Brian L. Le Mahieu, Brian A. Henne, Randall Grebel
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Patent number: 8555427Abstract: The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Joseph L. Stauber, Erich C. Vierkant, Brian M. Kaule
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Publication number: 20130198942Abstract: A mounting apparatus for coupling a toilet seat to a toilet includes a bolt including a proximal end comprising an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper flange and lower flange defining a contact portion; and a threaded distal end; and a hinge including a first portion including a mechanism to rotatably couple the first portion to the toilet seat; and a second portion including a resilient member including a C-shaped engagement configured to be received by contact portion of the bolt via a snap fit in response to the application of a horizontal force to hinge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventor: Michael R. Leibfried
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Patent number: 8429768Abstract: A toilet seat connection for a toilet having a top bowl surface and side surfaces includes an elongate mounting bracket mounted to the bowl portion, the mounting bracket being connected to either side of the toilet, the mounting bracket being elevated above the top bowl surface and defining a space between a top bowl surface and the mounting bracket, and a toilet seat pivotally mounted to the elongate mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Inventor: Brent Hanna
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Publication number: 20130067647Abstract: A toilet seat hinge for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post and a pin extending through the hinge post and defining an axis. The pin is configured to attach the toilet seat to the hinge post for pivotal movement about the axis. The toilet seat hinge also includes a quick release mechanism for releasably securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl. The quick release mechanism includes a member coupled to the pin for pivotal movement about the axis. The member is pivotable about the axis between a first position in which the hinge post is secured to the toilet bowl, and a second position in which the hinge post is released from the toilet bowl.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventor: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
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Patent number: 8327471Abstract: A mounting assembly mounts a seat to a toilet having a base with a pair of mounting holes. The mounting assembly includes a base member and first and second members for insertion into first and second of the pairs of mounting holes, respectively. The first member is interconnected to the base member. The second member is interconnected to the base member and spaced apart from the first member by a distance. The distance between the first member and the second member is adjustable for creating a clamping force between the first and second members and the first and second mounting holes, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Instantlid, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Fielding, Jr., Roy L. Schooler
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Patent number: 8312570Abstract: A quick-installation structure of a toilet seat cover assembly includes two positioning rods which are fixed on a toilet and two connection devices which are disposed on the toilet seat cover assembly and correspond to the two positioning rods, respectively. Each of the connecting devices includes a sleeve formed on a toilet seat, a rotating axle fixed to a cover, a connecting block connected to the rotating axle, a connecting sleeve fitted on the connecting block and a button connected to the connecting sleeve. The connecting block includes a main body, an engaging plate and a first restoration spring. The main body is longitudinally formed with a positioning hole. The engaging plate and the first restoration spring are laterally and pivotally connected to the main body above the positioning hole. The engaging plate is moved to swing by pressing the button. The positioning rod has an annular groove at an upper portion thereof and a cone with an inclined surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Hoti (Xiamen) Plumbing Inc.Inventor: Guo-Bin Chen
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Publication number: 20120284909Abstract: A quick-installation structure of a toilet seat cover assembly includes two positioning rods which are fixed on a toilet and two connection devices which are disposed on the toilet seat cover assembly and correspond to the two positioning rods, respectively. Each of the connecting devices includes a sleeve formed on a toilet seat, a rotating axle fixed to a cover, a connecting block connected to the rotating axle, a connecting sleeve fitted on the connecting block and a button connected to the connecting sleeve. The connecting block includes a main body, an engaging plate and a first restoration spring. The main body is longitudinally formed with a positioning hole. The engaging plate and the first restoration spring are laterally and pivotally connected to the main body above the positioning hole. The engaging plate is moved to swing by pressing the button. The positioning rod has an annular groove at an upper portion thereof and a cone with an inclined surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventor: Guo-Bin Chen
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Patent number: 8281420Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Joseph Hand, John Seaman
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Patent number: 8214932Abstract: A self-closing toilet seat assembly includes a longitudinal hinge tube mounted in a cavity on the underside of a toilet lid in coaxial alignment with the hinge flanges thereof. The hinge tube is secured in hinged engagement with both the toilet lid and seat by means of a pair of slow-close hinge dampeners. A self-closing mechanism, in association with a mounting base attached to the bowl of a conventional toilet and to the underside of the hinge tube, is responsive to manual lifting of either the toilet lid itself or of both the toilet lid and the toilet seat to the open or vertical position for initiating closing rotation of the toilet lid and the toilet seat, if also upright, to the vertical tipping point, past which they continue to gravitationally rotate to the closed position, at a rate limited by the slow-close hinge dampeners.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Smart Lid, LLCInventor: Daniel E. Shannon