Damping device for a toilet seat and lid unit in western-style toilet

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a damping device for toilet seat or toilet lid in a western-style toilet, and a toilet equipped with the damping device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In some high-quality western-style toilets, in order to prevent an impact sound from occurring when the toilet seat or lid is dropped, damping devices (or slow-closing devices) have been provided on the axis of rotation of the toilet seat or toilet lid in order to mitigate the force of rotational motion. For example, in the toilet seat and toilet lid opening/closing device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined (Kokai) Patent Application No. Hei 4[1992]-259424, as shown in

FIG. 26

, hinges

202

and

203

for the toilet seat

201

and hinges

205

and

206

for the toilet lid

204

are placed side-by-side, and opening and closing devices

207

and

208

that have damping functions are provided outside these hinges.

With this opening and closing device, a driving force transfer hole

210

such as a square hole is formed in one of the hinges

202

of the toilet seat

201

, and a driving force non-transfer hole (not shown in the figure) that does not transfer drive force is formed in the other hinge

203

. In addition, a driving force non-transfer hole (not shown in the figure) is formed in one of the hinges

205

for the toilet seat cover

204

, and a drive force transfer hole

212

is formed in the other hinge

206

. Thus, one of the hinge pins

215

links the hinge

202

of the toilet seat

201

and one of the opening-closing devices

207

, and the other hinge pin

216

links the hinge

206

of the toilet lid

204

and the other opening/closing device

208

. As a result, the rotation of the toilet seat

201

in the downward direction is damped by one of the opening/closing devices

207

, and rotation of the toilet lid

204

in the downward direction is damped by the other opening-closing device

208

.

Another opening/closing device for toilet seats or toilet lids is disclosed in Japanese Kokai Patent Application No. Hei 8[1996]-117148, shown in FIG.

27

. An attachment member

222

is fastened to the toilet

221

, and opening/closing devices

223

,

224

having symmetrical orientations are inserted into the attachment member

222

. Hinges

225

that constitute the attachment parts for the toilet seat are then disposed on both sides of the attachment member

222

, and hinges

226

that constitute the attachment parts for the toilet lid are disposed on both sides of hinges

225

. An attachment pin

227

is attached on the side of the opening/closing device

223

, and an attachment pin

228

is attached on the side of the opening/closing device

224

, while passing through the hinges

225

and

226

.

On the other hand, with common western-style toilets, a variety of integrated toilet seat and lid units having different shapes or colors are available, and may be interchangeably installed on toilets. In the United States in particular, these types of toilet seat/toilet lid units are sold at low cost, and users may obtain toilet seat/toilet lid units that match their personal preferences. It is common for users themselves to dispose of old units, and use screws to attach the newly purchased unit. This attachment is carried out by providing an attachment member having a retention part that retains the rotating shaft and fastening flange between the hinge part of the toilet lid and hinge part of the toilet seat, so that attachment may be carried out by fastening this attachment member to the toilet. With toilets on which this type of toilet seat/toilet lid unit is installed, there is no damping mechanism on the side of the toilet to which it is attached, and a loud impact noise is produced when the toilet seat or toilet lid is released when closing the toilet seat, etc. Moreover, damage due to the impact of dropping ensues whereby the hinge parts are broken or the toilet seat or toilet lid is broken.

The opening/closing devices

207

,

208

in the opening/closing device for toilet seats and toilet lids disclosed in Japanese Unexamined (Kokai) Patent Application No. Hei 4[1992]-259424 (

FIG. 26

) have a format whereby they are attached to the side surface of the toilet. This format generally involves attachment to the base cover of a warm water bidet-type toilet seat disposed on both sides of the toilet. For this reason, it is difficult to attach the opening/closing devices

207

,

208

with toilets that do not have warm water bidet-type toilet seats. Moreover, the hinge

202

of the toilet seat

201

and the hinge

205

of the toilet lid

204

are in close contact, and the hinge

203

of the toilet seat

201

and the hinge

206

of the toilet lid

204

are in close contact, so there is the danger that the toilet lid

204

will also tend to move downward due to frictional forces when the toilet seat

201

is moved downward.

Moreover, the opening/closing devices

207

,

208

are disposed with mirror symmetry, so they are not identical in terms of their damping directions. Specifically, the directions of action of the damping functions must be opposite, so the devices must be structurally different. For this reason, the cost of the opening/closing devices

207

and

208

increases. Moreover, it is necessary not to mistake the left and right parts when attaching them, and assembly errors may easily occur.

Moreover, with the opening/closing device for toilet seats and toilet lids of the toilet disclosed in Japanese Kokai Patent Application No. Hei 8[1996]-117148 (FIG.

27

), the opening/closing devices

223

,

224

must have a large attachment member

222

, so the space for sitting on the toilet

221

is decreased. Moreover, the hinges

225

and

226

are in contact on one side, and the hinges

225

and

226

are also in contact on the other side, so that the same problem occurs as in Japanese Kokai Patent Application No. Hei 4[1992]-259424 described above. Moreover, the opening/closing devices

223

,

224

are disposed with mirror symmetry, so the damping direction is not the same for the left and right sides, as with the opening/closing devices

207

,

208

. For this reason, the same problems arise in this regard as in Japanese Kokai Patent Application No. Hei 4[1992]-259424 described above.

Thus, with conventional opening/closing devices, a spring member is provided on the rotating shaft, which strongly applies a damping force in the final range when a toilet seat or toilet lid undergoes rotational falling, but the structure is complicated, large, costly and difficult to assemble. Moreover, fine response to changes in operating torque of the rotating member is problematic, and it is thus difficult to produce a high-quality feel during use. On the other hand, replaceable toilet seat/toilet lid units, while may be readily removed and attached according to personal preference, have no damping function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a damping device for toilet seat and lid unit that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a damping device for a toilet seat/toilet lid unit in a western-style toilet that is easy to install and has a simple structure and low cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a damping device for a toilet seat/toilet lid unit in which parts with the same shape and same structure may be attached as-is at the left and right attachment points using two damping devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a damping device for a toilet seat/toilet lid unit in which control of the rotational force of the seat and/or lid is gradually increased with the rotation of the toilet seat and/or lid.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a damping device including a casing, a rotor disposed in an interior space of the casing to form an annular chamber between the casing and the rotor, and a damping mechanism including a viscous liquid disposed in the chamber, the viscous liquid exerting frictional forces to damp the relative rotation between the rotor and the casing in a first rotation direction, the damping force increasing when the rotor and the casing rotate relative to each other from a first relative angular position to a second relative angular position in the first rotation direction. The damping mechanism does not damp the relative rotation of the rotor and the casing in the direction opposite the first rotation direction.

In particular, the casing has at least one protrusion protruding inwardly from the interior surface to the interior space. The rotor has a core with a radius that varies angularly such that the core and the protrusion of the casing forms a gap when the rotor and the casing are at the first relative angular position, and the core and the protrusion come into contact when the rotor and casing rotate relatively from the first relative angular position to or near the second relative angular position, whereby the contact generates a damping force that impedes the relative rotation of the rotor and the casing in the first rotation direction. Further, the protrusion of the casing extends in an axial direction and divides the annular chamber into at least two parts. The viscous liquid flows between the parts of the chamber through the gap between the protrusion and the core of the rotor when the rotor and the casing rotate relatively, and the protrusion impedes the flow of the viscous liquid to generate a damping force that impedes the relative rotation of the rotor and the casing. The interior space defined by the casing may have a radius that decreases with an angular position within an angular range.

In addition, the damping device includes at least one movable valve disposed within the annular chamber between the casing and the core of the rotor and controlling the flow of the viscous liquid within the chamber, the valve being latched to a retaining part of a protrusion of the rotor and moves with the rotor, a latching position of the movable valve changing with the direction of rotation of the rotor. The casing further has an end portion substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the rotor and the casing, where a depression is provided on an inner surface of end portion, the depression having a cross-sectional area in the radial direction that varies with an angular position defined on the casing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a toilet seat and toilet lid unit is provided which incorporates the damping device, where the rotation of the toilet seat and/or lid is damped by the damping device. The toilet seat and toilet lid each have two hinges, and one damping device is disposed between one seat hinge and one lid hinge, and another damping device is disposed between the other seat hinge and the other lid hinge. The two damping devices have the same external appearance.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a western-style toilet bowl is provided having toilet seat and toilet lid unit which incorporates the damping device.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is an exploded perspective view of the toilet seat/toilet lid unit including the damping device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2

is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing the structure of the periphery of the hinge for the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of FIG.

1

.

FIG. 3

is an axial cross-section of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, showing a state in which the movable valve has been removed.

FIG. 4

is a partial cross-sectional side view from the direction of the arrow A in FIG.

3

.

FIG. 5

is a front view of the inside of the casing of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of FIG.

1

.

FIG. 6

is a front view showing the inside of the cover of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of FIG.

1

.

FIG. 7

is a front view showing the rotor in a condition in which the movable valve of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

has been removed.

FIG. 8

is cross-sectional view along the line A—A in FIG.

7

.

FIGS.

9

(A) and (B) show the movable valve of the rotor part for the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

9

(A) is a plan view and FIG.

9

(B) is a side view from the direction of the arrow B in FIG.

9

(A).

FIG. 10

is an exploded perspective view of the rotor part of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of FIG.

1

.

FIGS.

11

(A)-(C) illustrate the function of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

11

(A) shows the condition when the toilet seat and lid are closed, and FIG.

11

(B) shows the condition when the toilet seat and lid are being opened, and FIG.

11

(C) shows a completely opened condition.

FIGS.

12

(A)-(C) illustrate the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

12

(A) shows the condition when the toilet seat and lid are open, FIG.

12

(B) shows the condition when the toilet seat and lid are being closed, and FIG.

12

(C) shows a completely closed condition.

FIGS.

13

(A)-(C) illustrate the relationship between the opening angle of the toilet seat and lid and the damping force (buffering force) of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

13

(A) shows the torque curve for the non-circular shape of the inner circumferential surface of the casing, FIG.

13

(B) shows the torque curve due to the non-circular shape of the rotor core, and FIG.

13

(C) shows the torque curve due to the cavity in the cover end surface.

FIG. 14

is a cross sectional view along the circumferential direction of the cavity provided in the cover end surface of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of FIG.

1

.

FIG. 15

is a cross sectional view showing an alternative cavity provided in the cover end surface of the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of FIG.

1

.

FIGS.

16

(A) and (B) show an alternative cover of the damping device, where FIG.

16

(A) is a plan view of an inside surface of the cover, and FIG.

16

(B) is a partial cross-sectional view along the line B—B of FIG.

16

(A).

FIG. 17

is a plan view of a toilet seat/toilet lid unit according a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18

is a side view of the toilet seat/toilet lid unit in

FIG. 17

from the direction of the arrow A.

FIG. 19

is a perspective view of the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of FIG.

17

.

FIG. 20

is a top cross sectional view of a toilet seat/toilet lid unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS.

21

(A)-(C) are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the movable valve used in the damping device of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

21

(A) is a first alternative embodiment in which the cut-out recess is not provided, FIG.

21

(B) is a second alternative embodiment, and C is a third alternative embodiment.

FIGS.

22

(A)-(D) show a support shaft that passes through the damping device used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

22

(A) is a plan view, FIG.

22

(B) is a front view from the direction of the arrow B in FIG.

22

(A), FIG.

22

(C) is a cross-sectional view along the C—C cross section in FIG.

22

(A), and FIG.

22

(D) is a side view along the direction of the arrow D in FIG.

22

(A).

FIGS.

23

(A) and (B) show an alternative embodiment of the support shaft used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

23

(A) is a plan view, and FIG.

23

(B) is a side view along the direction of the arrow B in FIG.

23

(A).

FIGS.

24

(A)-(C) show another alternative embodiment of the support shaft used in the toilet seat/toilet lid unit of

FIG. 1

, where FIG.

24

(A) is a plan view, FIG.

24

(B) is a side view along the direction of the arrow B in FIG.

24

(A), and FIG.

24

(C) is a side view along the direction of the arrow C in FIG.

24

(A).

FIGS.

25

(A) and (B) show the shape of the insertion holes, openings and holes when the support shaft of

FIG. 26

is used, where FIG.

25

(A) shows the shape of the insertion holes and openings, and FIG.

25

(B) shows the shape of the holes.

FIG. 26

is an exploded perspective view of a conventional opening/closing device for toilet seats and toilet lids.

FIG. 27

is an exploded perspective view of another conventional opening/closing device for toilet seats and toilet lids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to

FIGS. 1-25

. As shown in

FIG. 1

, a western-style toilet includes a toilet body (not shown) and a toilet seat/toilet lid unit

1

attached to the toilet body. The toilet may also includes a tank (not shown) that holds the rinse water.

Referring to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the toilet seat/toilet lid unit

1

includes a toilet seat

11

, a toilet lid

12

, two toilet seat hinges

13

,

14

that serve as attachment hinges, two toilet lid hinges

15

,

16

that serve as attachment hinges disposed outside the respective toilet seat hinges

13

,

14

, a first damper

17

that is provided between one of the toilet seat hinges

13

and one of the toilet lid hinges

15

, a second damper

18

that is provided between the other of the toilet seat hinges

14

and the other of the toilet lid hinges

16

, a first support shaft

19

that is linked with the first damper

17

, and a second support shaft

20

that is linked with the second damper

18

. The first damper

17

includes a first attachment casing

21

and a first damping device

22

, and the second damper

18

includes a second attachment casing

23

and a second damping device

24

. The toilet lid

12

is disposed so that it lays on top of the toilet seat

11

when closed.

As shown in

FIG. 1

, the toilet seat hinges

13

is formed from a resin member so that it is integrated with the toilet seat

11

, and protrudes slightly from the body of the toilet seat

11

on the side of the tank. A hole

26

having an elongated cross-sectional shape is provided on the toilet seat hinge

13

so that it may be linked while being able to rotate as a unit with the support shaft

19

. The other toilet seat hinge

14

also is formed from a resin member integrated with the toilet seat

11

, and is formed so that its over-all shape is the same as that of the toilet seat hinge

13

. The toilet seat hinge

14

has a hole

27

with a circular cross-sectional shape so that it may be linked while allowing the support shaft

20

to rotate.

The toilet lid hinges

15

is formed from a resin member integrated with the toilet lid

12

, and is formed so that it is opposite the toilet seat hinge

13

. The toilet lid hinge

15

has a hole

28

with a circular cross section so that it may be linked while allowing the support shaft

19

to rotate. The other toilet lid hinge

16

is also formed from a resin member integrated with the toilet lid

12

, and is formed with the same shape as the toilet lid hinge

15

. A hole

29

having an elongated cross-sectional shape is formed in the toilet lid hinge

16

so that it may be linked while being able to rotate as a unit with the support shaft

20

. The cross-sectional shapes of the support shafts

19

and

20

are the same as the cross-sectional shapes of the holes

26

and

29

.

The second damper

18

and the first damper

17

are formed from the same material, have the same external shapes and the same structure. Thus, a description will be presented for the structure of the first damper

17

only. The same numerals are used for the second damper

18

in the figures.

The first attachment casing

21

of the first damper

17

has a fastening flange

31

for attachment to the toilet body, an attachment hole

32

provided in the fastening flange

31

, an insertion hole

33

in which a first damping device

22

is inserted (“damping device

22

” is used for describing the structures for both of the damping devices

22

and

24

below), four cavities

34

in which the four screw fastening parts

41

of the damping device

22

are fit, and a flat alignment part

35

through which one alignment protrusion

42

of the damping device

22

may pass.

In addition to the positioning protrusion

42

and the four screw fastening parts

41

, the damping device

22

, as shown in

FIGS. 1-5

, also includes a casing

52

composed of resin having a hole

51

at its center, a cover or end portion

54

composed of resin that fits on the casing

52

and has a hole

53

in its center, a rotor

55

composed of resin that fits in the holes

51

and

53

and is sandwiched by the casing

52

and the cover

54

, and a silicone viscous oil

56

that fills the spaces enclosed by the casing

52

, the cover

54

and the rotor

55

. The casing member is constituted by the casing

52

and the cover

54

.

The damping device

22

, as shown in

FIG. 4

, has two movable valves

57

composed of resin that control movement of the viscous oil

56

an also constitute part of the rotor

55

, O-rings

59

composed of rubber material for sealing the viscous oil

56

which is inserted into grooves

58

provided in the rotor

55

as shown in

FIG. 3

, and an O-ring

60

composed of rubber material for sealing the liquid viscous oil

56

, which is sandwiched by the casing

52

and cover

54

.

The casing

52

, as shown in

FIG. 5

, has four protrusions

61

that constitute the screw fastening parts

41

, four cylindrical parts

62

that connect with each of the protrusions

61

, four screw holes

64

in which are inserted screws

63

for integrating the casing

52

and the cover

54

, two protrusions

65

that extend radially so that they protrude and prevent movement of the liquid that has been discharged towards the center by virtue of abutting a cylinder

81

of the rotor

55

, and oil space forming holes

66

for the purpose of providing a space for retaining the viscous oil

56

.

A small-diameter protrusion

67

that protrudes slightly outwards is provided outside the hole

51

in order to reduce the surface area of contact with the toilet seat hinge

13

, to link with the attachment casing

21

, and to effect positioning. In addition, a circular protrusion

52

a

for linking with the cover

54

is provided on the side of the cover

54

, and cylindrical protrusions

65

a

are provided on the tips of the protrusions

65

on the side of the cover

54

. In addition, the screw

63

is a self-tapping screw (i.e., the screw groove is formed by itself). Fastening of the casing

52

and the cover

54

may be carried out by fastening via ultrasonic welding, rather than with a screw.

The tips of the protrusions

65

on the side of the rotor

55

have a rounded tooth-like surface so that they may make contact with the core

81

of the rotor

55

. The circumferential width of the protrusions

65

is set to span an angle of 20 degrees. In addition, as shown in

FIG. 5

, the hole

66

for forming the oil space has large hole diameter regions

68

that form spaces with the movable valve

57

due to the large hole diameter φ

1

, and small hole diameter regions

69

that are in close contact with the movable valve

57

and constitute a diameter φ

2

smaller than that of the large hole diameter regions

68

.

Both the large hole diameter regions

68

and the small hole diameter regions

69

are disposed with a center of symmetry at the center of the axis of rotation of the rotor

55

. In addition, in this embodiment, the hole diameter φ

1

is 18 mm, and the range thereof is about 60 degrees. On the other hand, the hole diameter φ

2

is 12 mm, and the range thereof is about 75 degrees. Thus, the connecting regions

70

that connect the large hole diameter regions

68

and the small hole diameter regions

69

are straight lines, and have ranges of about 25 degrees.

The cover

54

, as shown in

FIG. 6

, has a hole

53

, as well as four protrusions

71

that constitute a screw fastening part

41

, four screw holes

71

a for fastening screws

63

to the protrusions

71

. In addition, as shown in

FIG. 3

, the cover

54

has a small diameter protrusion

72

that protrudes slightly outwards in order to decrease the surface area of contact with the toilet seat hinge

13

so that rotation with the toilet seat hinge

14

or toilet lid hinge

15

may occur smoothly. The cover

54

also has a circular groove

73

in which an O-ring

60

and the circular protrusion

52

a

of the casing

52

may be inserted, two circular cavities

74

in which cylindrical protrusions

65

a

fit, and two cavities

75

that gradually narrow in the direction of damping. Here, the direction of damping (“damping direction”) is the direction of rotation of the rotor

55

which gives an increased damping force (controlling force).

The cavities

75

are provided with point symmetry on the end surfaces in the axial direction on the inside of the cover

54

. In addition, each of the cavities

75

has a deep cavity

75

a

that is the deepest and is present at the end, a medium cavity

75

b

of medium depth, and a shallow cavity

75

c

that is the shallowest. The deep cavity

75

a

is the widest, and the shallow cavity

75

c

is the narrowest, with the width of the tip being zero. In this embodiment, the depth of the deep cavity

75

a

is 2 mm, the depth of the medium cavity

75

b

is 1.5 mm, and the depth of the shallow cavity

75

c

is 1.0 mm. In addition, the cavities are formed so that the length of each of the cavities

75

in the circumferential direction spans an angle of about 110 degrees. In addition, a gate (not shown) is provided in the center cavity

75

b

during resin molding, so that the gate does not protrude to the surface.

The rotor

55

has two movable valves

57

described below. In addition, as shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

, the rotor

55

has grooves

58

in which O-rings

59

are inserted, a cylindrical core

81

against which the protrusions

65

of the casing

52

may contact while allowing it to move, two damping protrusions

82

to which the movable valves

57

are linked, the damping protrusions

82

being provided so that they protrude outwards from the core

81

, an insertion hole

83

that opens along the line of the center axis of the core

81

through which the support shaft

19

is inserted, and protruding contact portion

84

that are respectively contacted by the casing

52

and the cover

54

.

The respective damping protrusions

82

each have a groove

85

in which the arm

93

of the movable valve

57

is inserted as shown in FIGS.

9

(A) and (B), and a latching protrusion

86

that is inserted into the cut-out recess

94

of the movable valve

57

, and serves as a retaining part for preventing exit of the movable valve

57

. Each of the grooves

85

is formed by an outer large protrusion

82

a

, an inner small protrusion

82

b

and a base

82

c

for the damping protrusion

82

. The latching protrusion

86

is integrated into the width in the circumferential direction of the large protrusion

82

a

so that it slightly protrudes laterally with respect to the surface of the inside of the tip of the large protrusion

82

a.

The core

81

of the rotor

55

, as shown in

FIG. 8

, is disposed with its center of symmetry at rotation axis of each of the rotors

55

, and is divided into regions of three different diameters: small-diameter regions

87

, medium-diameter regions

88

, and large-diameter regions

89

. The small-diameter regions

87

are the regions with the smallest diameter, and when the toilet seat

11

is open (in the raised condition), they are the regions that are opposite the protrusions

65

. At this time, as shown in FIG.

11

(C), a small gap G

4

is present between the protrusions

65

and the small-diameter regions

87

, and the viscous oil

56

may move through the gap G

4

.

The medium-diameter regions

88

are regions having a somewhat larger diameter than that of the small-diameter regions

87

, and are the regions that are opposite the protrusions

65

when the toilet seat

11

is somewhere between the open and closed positions. At this time, as shown in FIG.

11

(B), there is no gap between the protrusions

65

and the medium-diameter regions

88

, as by design, the inner diameters of the protrusions

65

are the same as the outer diameters of the medium-diameter regions

88

. The damping protrusion

82

of the rotor

55

is formed so that the protrusion

65

is opposite the medium-diameter region

88

approximately when movement occurs from the large hole diameter region

68

to the small hole diameter region

69

of the casing

52

.

The large-diameter regions

89

are regions with diameters that are slightly larger than the that of medium-diameter regions

88

, and are the regions that are opposite the protrusions

65

in the period from immediately prior to closing of the toilet seat

11

to complete closure. With the large-diameter regions

89

, as shown in FIG.

11

(A), the protrusions

65

dig into the large-diameter regions

89

and apply a large braking force to the rotor

55

.

In this embodiment, the diameter φ

3

of the small-diameter region

87

is 11.2 mm, the diameter φ

4

of the medium-diameter region

88

is 12 mm, and the diameter φ

5

of the large-diameter region

89

is 12.35 mm. In addition, the connection region

81

a

of the small-diameter region

87

and the medium-diameter region

88

and the connection region

81

b

of the medium-diameter region

88

and the large-diameter region

89

are both straight lines. In this manner, the outer circumference of the core

81

is non-circular in that it is formed of arcs and straight lines. An elliptical shape wherein the diameter gradually increases or some other non-circular shape may also be used. In this embodiment, the angle of the small-diameter region

87

is about 40 degrees, the angle of the medium-diameter region

88

is about 45 degrees, and the angle of the large-diameter region

89

is about 45 degrees, with the angle for each of the connection regions

81

a

,

81

b

being about 15 degrees.

The insertion hole

83

of the rotor

55

forms a passage hole through which the rotor

55

passes along the axis of rotation. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the or insertion hole

83

is elongated with all of the four comers being circular curved lines. This shape is similar to the cross-sectional shape of the support shaft

19

.

The viscous oil

56

is used to provide a damping action, or a buffering action, for the damping device

22

. This action is manifested by applying a resistive force with respect to rotation of the rotor

55

. In this embodiment, silicone oil is employed as the viscous oil

56

, but other types of oil may also be used.

As shown in

FIG. 11

, the two movable valves

57

have the same shape, and are situated symmetrically about one point, with the axis of rotation of the rotor

55

as the center. The movable valve

57

, as shown in FIG.

9

and

FIG. 10

, includes an oil impingement part

91

with a triangular cross section, and two arms

93

having two hooks

92

at their respective tips that stop the exit of the movable valve

57

from the damping protrusion

82

due to the motion in the circumferential direction of the movable valve

57

. The arms

93

are equipped with cut-out recesses

94

in which the latching protrusion

86

(see

FIG. 7

) of the rotor

55

is inserted.

The oil impingement part

91

serves as a pressure part that is acted upon by the pressure of the viscous oil

56

which is a liquid. The front surface of the oil impingement part

91

constitutes the pressure surface

91

a

, and when the viscous oil

56

impinges thereupon, the movable valve

57

becomes an inwardly-slanting surface so that compression force is produced on the side of the casing

52

. The pressure surface

91

a

in this embodiment is the surface that faces the center O of the rotor

55

, and is a surface that has an aperture of 17 degrees from the center line L

1

of the movable valve

57

. Moreover, the upper surface

57

a

of the movable valve

57

constitutes a curved surface having a radius of curvature of 9.5 mm, and is identical to the shape of the curved surfaces of the large hole diameter regions

68

of the casing

52

.

The movable valve

57

may move slightly back and forth in the circumferential direction with respect to the damping protrusion

82

. This shifting occurs due to the relative movement of the latching protrusion

86

in the cut-out recess

94

. When the rotor

55

moves in the direction indicated by the arrow C in

FIG. 4

(the closing direction), the pressure surface

91

a

of the oil impingement part

91

of the movable valve

57

impinges upon the viscous oil

56

, and the back surface

91

b

of the oil damping part

91

impinges upon the damping protrusion

82

, so that movement towards the casing

52

occurs due to the upwards component force F

1

(FIG.

9

(B)) of the resistance force F of the viscous oil

58

. When this happens, the viscous oil

56

present in the direction of frontward rotation of the oil impingement part

91

does not have any space to retreat, and thus a force is generated that stops rotation of the rotor

55

. This constitutes a part of the damping force (buffering force, or controlling force).

On the one hand, when the rotor

55

rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D in

FIG. 4

, in other words, when the toilet seat

11

is moved in the open direction, the back surface

91

b

of the oil impingement part

91

of the movable valve

57

is acted upon by a resistance force from the viscous oil

56

, and by this means, the reverse surface

91

b

of the oil impingement part

91

is separated from the damping protrusion

82

. As a result, the viscous oil

56

present in front of the rotational direction of the oil impingement part

91

passes through the gap formed between the reverse surface

91

b

of the oil impingement part

91

and the damping protrusion

82

, so that it moves in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation. As a result, little or no damping force is generated, and the toilet seat

11

may be moved towards the open direction with light force.

The damping device

22

is left-right symmetrical in terms of its external shape, with a line perpendicular to the center axis as the line of symmetry, excluding the positioning protrusion

42

. For this reason, by changing the position of the positioning flat surface

35

, the part may be used as the damping device

22

that has the reverse damping direction.

Support shafts

19

and

20

are made from the same member, and as shown in

FIG. 22

, have a long and thin shape. The cross-sectional shape of the support shafts

19

and

20

is elongated, with the four corners being circular curves. A beveled part

95

that is beveled around its entire circumference is provided at both ends of each of the support shafts

19

and

20

, and each of the ends has an elongated form with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the elongated cross-section. Both ends

96

of both support shafts

19

and

20

provide supports for the respective toilet seat hinge

13

and toilet lid hinge

15

, and in addition, provide supports for the toilet seat hinge

14

and toilet lid hinge

16

.

Specifically, as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, support shafts

19

and

20

are inserted into the insertion holes

83

through which the rotors

55

pass in the axial direction. One end of the support shaft

19

is connected with the hole

26

of the toilet seat hinge

13

so that it may rotate as a unit therewith, and the other end is linked to a hole with a circular cross section of the toilet lid hinge

15

so that the support shaft may rotate along with the rotor

55

. On the other hand, one end of the support shaft

20

is linked with the hole

29

of the toilet lid hinge

16

so that it may rotate as a unit therewith, and the other end is linked to a hole

27

with a circular cross section in the toilet seat hinge

14

so that the support shaft may rotate along with the rotor

55

. By this arrangement, movement of the toilet seat

11

in the closing direction is damped by the first damping device

22

, and movement of the toilet lid

12

in the closing direction is damped by the second damping device

24

.

As described above, insertion holes through which the support shafts pass are provided, and the same toilet damping device may be used for the right and left sides. Insertion of the support shafts is thus possible, in spite of the fact that the direction in which the support shafts are inserted is different on the right and left sides. As a result, right and left toilet damping devices having the same shape may be used, even if there are requirements in terms of shape for the toilet. Because toilet seat damping devices that have the same shape may be used, error-free installation will be made easier. Moreover, the cost of the toilet damping device is reduced.

Various methods may be used to assemble the first and second dampers

17

and

18

. A preferred method is described here. First, as shown in

FIG. 1

, the two damping devices

22

,

24

are assembled in the two attachment casings

21

,

23

. Next, dampers

17

and

18

are inserted between the respective toilet seat hinge

13

and toilet lid hinge

15

, and the toilet seat hinge

14

and toilet lid hinge

16

, and the support shaft

19

is inserted in the direction of the arrow A in FIG.

2

. The support shaft

20

is then inserted in the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG.

2

. Assembly of the toilet seat/toilet lid unit

1

is thereby completed. Screws are then fed into the attachment holes

32

for dampers

17

and

18

, and the toilet seat/toilet lid unit

1

is attached to the toilet body by fastening with screws.

The operation of the toilet with attached toilet seat/toilet lid unit

1

and the rotational action of the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

is described below with reference to the operation of the first and second damping devices

22

,

24

.

The toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

are initially closed. When a user starts to rotate the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

towards the tank, the rotors

55

of the two damping devices

22

,

24

rotate in the direction of the arrow D in FIG.

11

(A). Specifically, the rotors

55

rotate from the position shown in FIG.

11

(A) towards the position indicated in FIGS.

11

(B) and

11

(C).

In addition, the gap G

2

between the inner circumferential surface of the casing

52

and the movable valve

57

gradually increases from zero. A gap G

3

is produced between the movable valve

57

and the base

62

c

of the damping protrusion

82

. For this reason, the viscous oil

56

that is present in the spaces H and J passes through the small protrusions

82

b

,

82

b

, and escapes into spaces I and K from the gap G

1

. In addition, some of the liquid also passes through the gaps G

2

, G

3

. As a result, the viscous oil

56

in the spaces H and J is not under substantial pressure, and the resistance force is small. In other words, the viscous oil

56

is not blocked by the movable valve

57

, and almost no resistance force is applied. The toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

may thus be opened with a light force.

In addition, the core

81

of the rotor

55

and the protrusions

65

are initially in a compressed state as shown in FIG.

11

(A). Subsequently, as shown in FIG.

11

(B), they assume a condition of simple contact. Finally, a large gap G

4

is generated between them as shown in FIG.

11

(C). For this reason, rotation of the rotor

55

is initially slightly controlled, but a condition is soon produced wherein there is no regulation, and as described above, the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

continue to be opened with light force. Subsequently, after rotating over about 100 degrees, the toilet lid and seat strike the tank and the rotation is stopped. Both of the damping devices

22

and

24

are constituted in such a manner that they may rotate over a range of about 120 degrees. This is because the angle in the circumferential direction of the protrusion

65

is 20 degrees, and the range in the circumferential direction of the movable valve

57

is about 40 degrees.

After using the toilet, when the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

are rotated in the closing direction, both rotors

55

rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FIG.

12

(A). Initially, the movable valve

57

experiences resistance of the viscous oil

56

in the spaces I and K, and as shown in FIG.

12

(A), moves in the opposite direction as that indicated by the arrow C, thus eliminating the gap G

1

. However, at this time, the movable valves

57

are opposite the large hole diameter regions

68

of the casing

52

, and a gap G

2

is formed with the movable valve

57

. In addition, the protrusions

65

and the small-diameter regions

87

are opposite each other, and gaps G

4

are produced between the two. As a result, the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

move easily together. Due to the rotation of the regions in the C direction, the movable valve

56

experiences a component force F

1

in the direction of the casing

52

, and thus a gap G

3

is generated between the damping protrusion

82

and the base

82

c

as before.

Subsequently, the movable valves

57

that have been provided for each of the rotors

55

begin to move opposite the small hole diameter region

69

of the casing

52

, and the gap G

2

between the two narrows, so that viscous oil

56

in the spaces I and K is compressed, and the resistance force of the viscous oil

56

increases. A damping force (buffering force) thus begins to act on the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

. Specifically, if the toilet seat

11

or toilet lid

12

is released from the user's hand at this stage, they will not free-fall to the closed position. At this time, the medium-diameter regions

88

of the rotors

55

contact the protrusions

65

as shown in FIG.

12

(B), and the gap G

4

is eliminated.

Subsequently, as the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

are further rotated, and each of the rotors

55

move farther in the direction indicated by the arrow C, the movable valve

57

contacts the small hole diameter region

69

of the casing

52

, and the gap G

2

is completely eliminated, and the gap G

3

also goes to zero due to the compressive force. For this reason, the viscous oil

56

in the spaces I and K is strongly compressed, and the resistance force further increases.

Due to this rotation, the large-diameter regions

89

of the rotors

55

begin to engage the protrusions

65

, and a damping force is applied by the viscous oil

56

, a breaking force thereby begins to act in this region. By this means, a strong damping force is exerted, and the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

fall slowly even when released from the user's hand so that they do not strike strongly against the toilet body

1

. For this reason, when the toilet seat

11

and toilet seat

12

are released from the hand while being closed, an impact sound will not be generated as with the conventional devices.

In transition from the position shown FIG.

12

(B) to that shown in FIG.

12

(C), when there are no escape locations, the viscous oil

56

in the spaces I and K moves in small amounts into the spaces H and J between small gaps such as the small gap between the movable valve

57

and the damping protrusion

82

of the rotor

55

, the small gaps at various locations between the rotor

55

and casing

52

and the small gap between the protrusion

65

and the core

81

. The resistance force at this time is large, and thus the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

close slowly. They then close more rapidly as the resistance decreases.

The condition of the damping force in each region is shown in FIGS.

13

(A)-(C). The change in damping force is described with reference to FIGS.

13

(A)-(C) and FIGS.

12

(A)-(C).

The change in damping force due to the non-circular shape of the inner circumferential surface of the casing

52

is described first. As shown in

FIG. 12A

, in the open position (100 degrees), the movable valve

57

is opposite the large hole diameter region

68

, and a condition is produced in which a gap G

2

is present. For this reason, the damping force is zero, as shown in FIG.

13

(A). Subsequently, the rotor

55

is rotated in the direction of the arrow C in FIG.

12

(A), and the movable valve

57

begins to oppose the connecting region

70

. When the toilet seat

11

and lid

12

reach the position where they are 75 degrees open, the front end of the movable valve

57

begins to contact the connecting region

70

, and the damping force begins to act. When the rotor

55

rotates and additional 5 degrees, it begins to contact the small hole diameter region

69

.

When the opening angle of the outer circumference of the movable valve

57

reaches about 40 degrees, it begins to contact the small hole diameter region

69

, and from this point on, the surface contact area continues to increase gradually, and the damping force increases with a constant slope in conjunction therewith. Thus, when the opening angle of the toilet seat

11

and lid

12

reaches 30 degrees, the entire surface of the movable valve

57

contacts the small hole diameter region

69

, and consequently, a constant torque results. Because the inner circumferential surface of the casing

52

is non-circular, it is possible to obtain a torque curve whereby the damping force gradually increases. This torque curve resembles the curve for the angular moment during closing of the toilet seat

11

or toilet lid

12

when there are no damping members. Thus, when a damping force is applied by means of using a non-circular surface for the inner circumference of the casing

52

, the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

close gradually at a nearly constant rate regardless of the angle, and no sound of impact is produced.

The damping force produced due to the non-circular shape of the core

81

of the rotor

55

is described next. The torque curve at this time is shown in FIG.

13

(B). The position when the toilet seat

11

or toilet lid

12

are open at an angle of 100 degrees is taken as the open position. This condition corresponds to the condition shown in FIG.

12

(A). When the toilet seat

11

and lid

12

are rotated and the rotor

55

rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow C, after a rotation of 10 degrees, the protrusion

65

begins to contact the medium-diameter region

88

of the rotor

55

. At this time, the gap between the medium-diameter region

88

of diameter φ

4

(

FIG. 8

) and the two protrusions

65

is constant, and thus almost no damping force is applied. However, as the surface area of abutment increases, the damping force continually increases in small amounts, and when the toilet seat

11

and lid

12

reach 70 degrees, the entire inner surface of the protrusion

65

is against the middle diameter region

88

, so that the frictional force is constant over the subsequent range of about 35 degrees, thus producing a constant damping force.

The protrusion

65

then contacts the straight connecting region

81

b

, and the core

81

transitions to a compressed condition. As a result, the damping force continues to increase precipitously. The rotor

55

then rotates an additional 15 degrees, and when the opening angle of the toilet seat

11

and lid

12

become 30 degrees, the protrusion

65

begins to contact the large-diameter region

89

. The surface area of contact with the large-diameter region

89

then increases gradually, and thus the frictional force increases at a constant ratio. The curved surface of the protrusion

65

then entirely contacts the large-diameter region

89

, and the torque (the damping force) becomes constant. Because the core

81

of the rotor

55

is non-circular, a torque curve may be obtained wherein the damping force gradually increases. Thus, by making the core

81

of the rotor

5

non-circular, it is possible to obtain an opening torque curve that corresponds to the angular moment of the toilet seat

11

or toilet lid

12

for the damping force.

Next, the damping force torque curve due to the cavity

75

provided at the end surface of the cover

54

will be described with reference to FIG.

13

(C). When the toilet seat

1

is in the open position, the surface opposite the cavity

75

of the damping protrusion

82

, as shown by the dotted lines in

FIG. 14

, is oriented so that it extends over the deep cavity

75

a

and the medium cavity

75

b

. For this reason, the viscous oil

56

in the spaces I and K passes through the cavities

75

and is transferred smoothly into the spaces H and J. As a result, as the opening angle of the toilet seat

11

and lid

12

move from 100 degrees to 90 degrees, the damping force is small, and the increase of the damping force is very slight. As the opening angle moves to 90 degrees, the damping protrusion

82

begins to move opposite the medium cavity

75

, and the damping force increases slightly; but since the viscous oil

56

still moves smoothly, the damping force is fairly small.

Subsequently, when the open angle reaches 80 degrees, the damping protrusion

82

begins to move opposite the shallow cavity

75

c

, and the rate of increase in the damping force further increases. When the opening angle reaches 60 degrees, the damping protrusion

82

is completely opposite the shallow cavity

75

c

, and the movement of the viscous oil

56

is fairly restricted, so that the rate of increase in damping force is further increased. When the opening angle is near 30 degrees, the resistance approaches infinity based on the action of this cavity

75

alone; but since the viscous oil

56

in the regions I and K flows into the cavity

75

from the other gaps, the torque does not become infinite.

At an opening angle of 30 degrees, the damping protrusion

82

begins to move away from the cavity

75

as shown by the dotted lines in FIG.

14

. At this time, the damping protrusion

82

and the end surface of the cover

54

are not completely in tight contact, and the viscous oil

56

in the spaces I and K may flow from the cavity

75

through the small gaps. This influx decreases as the damping protrusion

82

is further rotated. The damping force gradually increases. When the opening angle reaches 10 degrees, the damping protrusion

82

lies completely outside the cavity

75

, and subsequently, the torque becomes fairly constant. By means of this cavity

75

, a closing torque curve may be obtained that is in accordance with the angular moment of the toilet seat

11

or toilet lid

12

.

From the individual torque curves produced by combining the three damping forces described above, a closing torque curve may be obtained that corresponds to the angular moment of the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

. By changing the non-circular shape of the casing

52

, the non-circular shape of the rotor

55

, the circular shape of the cavity

75

in the cover

54

, or the viscosity of the viscous oil

56

, it is easy to obtain closing torque curves that correspond to the rotational moments for various types of toilet seats

11

and toilet lids

12

. Moreover, the damping force for each of the torque curves shown in FIGS.

13

(A)-(C) are not shown in absolute values, in that each curve is a schematic curve used for purposes of illustrating torque trends.

When an user attempts to close only the toilet seat

11

after opening the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

, the seat hinges

13

and

14

rotate, but the toilet seat hinge

14

may move freely with respect to the support shaft

20

. As a result, the second damping device

24

does not operate to damp the motion of the toilet seat

11

. On the other hand, the toilet seat hinge

13

is linked so that it may rotate as a unit with the support shaft

19

, so only the first damping device

22

generates damping force with respect to rotation towards the closed position of the toilet seat

11

. At this time, the action of the first damping device

22

is similar to the action of the first damping device

22

described above when the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

are closed simultaneously.

When the toilet lid

12

is to be closed while the toilet seat

11

in a closed state, the toilet lid hinge

15

may now move freely with respect to the support shaft

19

, so the first damping device

22

does not generate a damping force for the toilet lid hinge

15

. The other toilet lid hinge

16

is linked so that it rotates as a unit with the support shaft

20

, so only the second damping device

24

generates a damping force with respect to rotation of the toilet lid

12

in the closing direction. The action of the second damping device

24

at this time is the same as the action of the second damping device

24

when the toilet seat

11

and toilet lid

12

are closed simultaneously.

The cross-sectional shape of the cavity

75

provided in the end surface of the cover

54

, as shown in

FIG. 15

, has a deepest region

75

e

and a sloped region

75

f

with decreasing depth. Thus, a device is produced that has even better rotation-stopping feel with respect to the angular moment of the toilet seat

11

and lid

12

. Moreover, as shown in FIGS.

16

(A) and (B), the cavity

75

may be such that the width in the radial direction narrows step-wise, while the depth of the cavity

75

is gradually reduced. As shown by the single dotted line of FIG.

16

(A), the width may be held constant while the depth is as shown in FIG.

16

(B); or the depth may be held constant while either the width is narrowed in steps as shown in FIG.

16

(A), or the width is gradually narrowed as shown in FIG.

6

. The structures shown in

FIGS. 14-16

or the structure described above may be employed in a damping device according to other embodiments of the present invention.

The embodiment described above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the invention is not restricted to this embodiment. Various changes may be implemented that are within the scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiment described above, the toilet seat hinges

13

and

14

are integrated with the toilet seat

11

, and the toilet lid hinges

15

,

16

are integrated with the toilet lid

12

. However, as shown in

FIGS. 17-19

, a structure may be produced wherein the toilet seat

11

and the toilet seat hinges

163

and

164

are separate bodies, and the toilet lid

12

and the toilet lid hinges

165

and

166

are separate bodies, with the respective bodies being fastened with screws. In the FIGS.,

163

A,

164

A,

165

A and

166

A designate screw holes.

In

FIGS. 17-19

, the toilet seat/toilet lid unit

161

is attached to a toilet body

2

which includes a main body

5

and a tank

6

. Thus, the first damper

17

is installed between the toilet seat hinge

163

and the toilet lid hinge

165

, and the second damper

18

is installed between the toilet seat hinge

164

and the toilet lid hinge

166

.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, a structure may be produced wherein the attachment casing

21

and the casing

52

of the first damping device

22

are integrated, and the attachment casing

23

and the casing

52

of the second damping device

24

are integrated.

Moreover, the damping devices

22

and

24

need not be provided between the two hinges, as they may be provided on the insides of the two hinges (FIG.

20

), or on the outside of the two hinges. With the toilet seat/toilet lid unit

171

of

FIG. 20

, the hinges

13

and

14

of the toilet seat

11

are disposed such that they are respectively sandwiched between the hinges

15

and

16

of the toilet lid

12

and both of the dampers

17

and

18

. In addition, respective gaps g are provided between the hinges

13

and

15

and hinges

14

and

16

so that when the toilet seat

11

is moved in the closing direction, the action does not affect the toilet lid

12

. In

FIG. 20

, a structure is shown wherein damping devices

22

and

24

are used. In order to facilitate understanding, horizontal lines are drawn to the parts whereby the rotor

55

of the support shafts

19

and

20

and the toilet seat hinge

13

and the toilet lid hinge

16

are linked so that they may rotate as a unit. This joining means that allows for integrated rotation may be an assembly having the type of elongated cross-sectional shape, or an assembly of a fitting hole and a support shaft that has a non-circular cross section, such as a serration joint.

In addition, as shown in FIG.

21

(A), the shape of the movable valves

57

and

116

need not include a cut-out recess

94

, and the rotors

55

and

115

need not have a latching protrusion

86

. Moreover, a structure may be formed wherein an arm

97

that connects with the arms

93

is provided, as shown in FIG.

21

(B), or wherein a horizontal arm

99

is provided and extends sideways from the arm

98

, as shown in FIG.

21

(C). A cut-out recess may also be provided in the arm of the movable valve of FIGS.

21

(B) and (C).

In addition, by providing only the first damper

17

, damping force may be applied only to the toilet seat

11

; and by providing only the second damper

18

, damping force may be provided only to the toilet lid

12

. Moreover, a toilet lid

12

need not be provided. When a toilet lid

12

is not provided, three types of configurations may be employed: a structure where a damper is provided only on one of the toilet seat hinges of the toilet seat

11

; a structure where dampers are provided on the toilet seat hinges of both sides in a symmetrical configuration; and a structure where the gap between the two toilet seat hinges is narrowed, and one toilet damping device is provided within the gap, with both ends or one end of the support shaft effecting the damping action.

In addition, screw holes through which screws

63

are inserted may also be provided in the protrusions

65

. The surface of the cover

54

may be provided with a small circular depression for thickness reduction in order to increase strength and reduce weight. Moreover, the constitution of the oil impingement part

91

of the movable valve

57

is not limited to the embodiment described above. In particular, the slant angle of the pressure-receiving surface

91

a

may be increased or decreased.

In addition, as shown in FIGS.

23

(A) and (B), the support shaft may have a square cross-sectional shape, and a support shaft

141

may be produced where the four comers

142

are highly beveled into curves. Alternately, as shown in FIGS.

24

(A)-(C), a support shaft

145

may be produced that includes a round cylinder

146

with a circular cross section, and a flat part

147

with an elliptical cross-section.

When the support shaft

141

is used, the hole

26

of the toilet seat hinge

13

, the hole

42

of the toilet lid hinge

16

, and the insertion holes

83

of the first and second damping devices

17

and

18

for the toilet may each have the same cross-sectional shape as the support shaft

141

, so that the support shaft

141

may be inserted and joined with each of them. On the other hand, the hole

36

of the collar

37

and the hole

29

of the collar

30

may have a circular cross-section so that the toilet seat hinge

14

and the toilet lid hinge

15

may rotate freely with respect to the support shaft

141

.

When the support shaft

145

is used, the hole

26

of the toilet seat hinge

13

, the hole

42

of the toilet lid hinge

16

, and the insertion holes

83

of the first and second toilet damping devices

17

and

18

may all have the special hole shape

148

shown in FIG.

25

(A) whereby the cylindrical part

146

and the flat part

147

are both inserted. On the other hand, the hole

29

of the collar

30

, and the hole

36

of the collar

37

may both have the circular cross-sectional shape

149

shown in

FIG. 25B

so that the toilet seat hinge

14

and the toilet lid hinge

15

may freely rotate with respect to the cylindrical part

146

of the support shaft

145

.

In addition, the above embodiments describe a damping device having two members that rotate relative to each other, where the outer member (the casing) is mounted to the toilet and stationary, while the inner member (the rotor) is linked to the rotating part of the toilet (the seat or the lid). Alternatively, the damping device may be constructed so that the inner member is mounted on the toilet and stationary, while the outer member is linked to the rotating part of the toilet (the seat or the lid).

Moreover, the damping devices

22

and

24

may be used for controlling the movement of other rotating members beside toilet seats and lids, such as for opening and closing lid members on electronic devices or the like.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in a method of fabricating a thin film transistor of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
10-330183	Nov 1998	JP
11-232082	Aug 1999	JP

Number	Name	Date	Kind
1970008	Larson	Aug 1934	A
5255396	Miyahara et al.	Oct 1993	A
5664286	Sorimachi	Sep 1997	A
5697122	Okabe et al.	Dec 1997	A
5720370	Takahashi	Feb 1998	A
5724683	Sorimachi et al.	Mar 1998	A

Damping device for a toilet seat and lid unit in western-style toilet

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

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Agents

CPC

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US

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Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (2)

US Referenced Citations (6)

Foreign Referenced Citations (1)