Kit And Method For Stabilization of a Toilet Seat

Abstract

Disclosed is a toilet seat stabilizing kit for preventing horizontal sliding or slippage of a toilet seat relative to the rim of the toilet bowl on which it rests. The kit includes at least two symmetrically-placed L-brackets. The longer length of each bracket is attached to the undersurface of the sides of the toilet seat, such that the inner surface of the shorter length of each L-bracket abuttingly engages the outer rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is rotated into position atop the toilet bowl. The kit may further include a plurality of support spacers for attachment to the undersurface of the toilet seat in order to evenly distribute the weight of a user. The kit may comprise one or more apertures in each L-bracket for receiving a threaded or other type of fastener to secure the L-brackets to the undersurface of the toilet seat.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

This inventive concept relates to the comfort and safety of toilet seats and particularly the comfort and safety of the means of attachment of the seat to a toilet bowl. Both commercial and residential toilet seats bear thousands of pounds of weight, cumulatively, on a daily basis. Whenever a person uses a toilet seat, the toilet seat imperceptibly shifts and slides relative to the toilet seat bowl. Conventional toilet seats, however, are not designed or equipped to handle the horizontal movement caused by such sliding and shifting. The horizontal movement causes the fasteners securing the toilet seat hinge to the toilet bowl to become loosened and/or damaged over time, thereby requiring replacement.

Eventually, the toilet seat can become completely detached and/or broken through excessive use. When a toilet seat is loose, it can slide completely off a toilet bowl, exposing an individual thereon to the unsanitary surface of a toilet bowl rim, and potential injury. Therefore, there is a need for a toilet seat stabilizing system which prevents the toilet seat from sliding horizontally relative to the toilet bowl, thereby creating a more secure commode seating seat and reducing the need to replace the seat except for wear and tear.

(2) Description of the Related Art, Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

US #2013/0019389 A1 (Jan. 24, 2013: A toilet seat securing device comprising: an elongated body, where the elongated body curves beneath a lateral portion of an underside of a toilet seat and where the elongated body is available as a pair, a single elongated body beneath each lateral portion of the toilet seat; a lip extending perpendicularly from a periphery of the elongated body, where the lip extends in an opposite direction from the toilet seat and where the lip is wider than the toilet seat to fit around an outer rim of a toilet bowl when the toilet seat is positioned atop the toilet bowl; and a plurality of fastening means attached to the elongated body, where the plurality of fastening means secure the toilet seat securing device to the underside of the toilet seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,316,472 BI (Nov. 27, 2012): A swiveling toilet seat device for attaching to a rim of a toilet bowl comprising a toilet seat-shaped first base pivotally attached to the back of the rim of the toilet bowl; a toilet seat-shaped second base disposed above the first base, wherein a plurality of wheels extend from the bottom surface of the second base and fit into a track disposed in the top surface of the first base; wherein the second base can rotate in a first direction and second direction atop the first base.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,838 (Apr. 25, 2000): A toilet seat aid consisting of a toilet seat aid body having a first sitting area and a second sitting area opposing each other. An operational opening is disposed substantially centrally within the seat body. The operational opening passes through the body, so as to interconnect the first and second sitting areas.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,840 (May 25, 1993): A device for stabilizing a toilet seat in its desired position atop a toilet bowl, comprising at least one restraint connectable to the bottom of the toilet seat for preventing lateral movement of the toilet seat relative to the toilet bowl, wherein the restraint extends downward into the toilet bowl so as to rest immediately adjacent to an upper inside rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is in its lowered position. In a preferred embodiment the device includes a tapered configuration on the restraint to guide the toilet seat onto the toilet bowl, and an edge portion which is substantially parallel to the inside edge of the toilet bowl when the seat is in the lowered position, which serves to stabilize the toilet seat by preventing lateral movement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,731 (Aug. 11, 1992) A toilet seat adaptor for the use of infants and children having two side panels in a U-shaped configuration joined together by a common hinge and separated from a toilet bowl upper rim surface by a plurality of U-shaped elevated contact members having disposable covers over outer portions of the contact members which contact the toilet bowl when the adaptor is positioned on the rim. The adaptor is foldable and minimizes surface contact thereby protecting the user from bacterial and/or viral infestation. Several embodiments of the contact members are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,167 (May 31, 1988): Impact absorbing bumpers are contoured to be seated on the supporting surfaces of toilet bowl rims in cross-sectional alignment therewith at angularly spaced locations before attachment to the underside of a toilet seat. The toilet seat when hingedly mounted on the toilet bowl is displaced to its lowered position for attachment to the seated bumpers by adjustable attaching means.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concept herein discloses a toilet seat stabilizing system and kit for eliminating or minimizing horizontal sliding or slippage of the toilet seat relative to the rim of the toilet bowl of a commode. The system includes at least two symmetrically-placed L-brackets, the longer length of each bracket of which is attached to the undersurface of the elongated sides of the toilet seat. The shorter length of each L-bracket is positioned so as to abuttingly engage the outer rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is rotated downward into its position atop the toilet bowl.

The toilet seat stabilizing kit further includes at least one support spacer adapted to attach to the front undersurface of a toilet seat in order to better distribute the weight of a user. Additional support spacers may be used for attachment to the inner base of each L-bracket, thereby providing the toilet seat an evenly supported planar orientation atop the rim of the toilet bowl. The seat stabilizing kit further comprises one or more apertures in each L-bracket for receiving a threaded or other type of fastener to secure the L-brackets to the undersurface of the toilet seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the basic toilet seat stabilizing system 1 as attached to the undersurface of a toilet seat according to the basic embodiment of the present inventive concept.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a toilet seat stabilizing system 1 in the process of being attached to the undersurface of a toilet seat having built-in spacers.

FIG. 3 depicts a view looking at a toilet seat from the right side upper surface, further showing the right L-bracket 25.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the right L-bracket 25 as attached to the toilet seat shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 presents a view of the left side of a toilet seat 3 having a left L-bracket 20 attached to the undersurface of the seat3.

FIG. 6 is a view of a left L-bracket 20, and the aperture 31 to accommodate various types of fasteners.

FIG. 7 is a view of the typical locking screw 42 used to fasten the L-brackets to the undersurface of a toilet seat.

FIG. 8 depicts a commode, further having an air freshener 40 attached to the left L-bracket.

FIG. 9 shows a side spacer which may be fastened to the interior surface of an L-bracket, as necessary.

FIG. 10 shows a close-up view of the air freshener 40 shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling ten figures, show the basic components and functions of embodiments and/or methods of use. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.

The discussion of the present inventive concept will be initiated with FIG. 1, which illustrates the basic embodiment of the toilet seat kit 2. The view of FIG. 1 depicts the toilet seat kit 2 components as they are attached to the undersurface 4 of the toilet seat 3. These components comprise a left L-bracket 20, a right L-bracket 25, and a front spacer 30. The two L-brackets 20, 25 may be attached by a variety of fasteners, including threaded screws, or by means of a long-lasting adhesive. Components of the toilet seat 3 shown include the left elongated side 8, the right elongated side 9, the seat front 4, seat rear 11, and the hinge attachments 12.

The basic embodiment of the toilet seat stabilizing system 1 demonstrates that the two opposing L-brackets 20, 25 are designed so as to attach to the opposing elongated sides 8, 9, of the undersurface 4 of the toilet seat 3. From FIG. 1, it can be appreciated that the present inventive concept provides a toilet seat stabilizing system 1 and kit 2 that are designed to ensure that the toilet seat 3 will not slide from side to side, relative to a toilet bowl 6 to which it is attached.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a toilet seat 3 having manufacturer's built-in seat support spacers 37 to provide an even distribution of the weight of a user upon the toilet seat 3. The symmetrical spacing of the support spacers 37 also helps provide added weight support points between the left and right L-brackets 20, 25 and the front 10 and rear 11 of the toilet seat 3.

The L-brackets can be described in more detail by reference to FIG. 6. By way of example, and for ease of explanation, a left L-bracket 20 will be the primary descriptive reference in this disclosure. The left L-bracket is also shown in the immediately preceding FIG. 5. The left L-bracket 20 comprises a leg 21, corresponding to the longer length of the left L-bracket 20 and a base 22 member which corresponds to the shorter length of the left L-bracket 20. The leg 21 and base 22 are integrally joined in perpendicular orientation relative to each other.

The interior of the leg 21 is adapted to engage the outer rim 7 of a toilet bowl 6, thereby securing the seat, horizontally, to the toilet bowl 6, as is seen in FIG. 5. The base 22 comprises an interior surface 23 and an exterior surface 24 (out of view in FIG. 6), wherein the exterior surface 24 is layered with an adhesive 32. The adhesive 32 may be utilized to receive and adhere to the undersurface 4 of a toilet seat 3, as necessary.

The interior surface 23 of each L-bracket is also adapted to receive a side support spacer 33, if necessary to maintain the toilet seat 3 in a supported and level orientation from the rear 10 to the front 11 of the toilet seat 3. The base 22 of the left L-bracket 20 further comprises at least one aperture 31 for receiving fasteners, such as screws, nails, or bolts, and provide more secure fastening of the left L-bracket 20 to the undersurface of a toilet seat 3. The right L-bracket 25 (not shown in FIG. 5) is constructed in the same manner as the left L-bracket 20 and functions in an identical manner.

As stated above, the toilet seat stabilizing system 1 may further comprise a plurality of side support spacers 33. FIG. 9 presents a view of a side support spacer 33. The side support spacer 33 is constructed of width and length dimensions corresponding to the width and length of the interior surface 23 of the base 22 of the left L-bracket 20. A side support spacer 33 may be attached to the interior surface 23 of the left L-bracket, and likewise to the right L-bracket 25. This may be necessary to maintain the toilet seat 3 parallel to the plane of the toilet bowl rim 7 when the toilet seat 3 is placed down. The combination of the L-bracket 20 and the side support spacer 33 also serves to better distribute the weight bearing load of the toilet seat 3.

FIG. 9 shows that the side support spacer 33 comprises parallel planar members defining a first side 34 and a second side 35 (not shown). The first side 34 may comprise a permanently-attached adhesive which will readily adhere to the interior surface 23 of the left L-bracket 20 of FIG. 6. The side support spacer 33 also contains an aperture 31 in a location corresponding to the identical aperture 31 constructed in the interior surface of the L-bracket of FIG. 6. The second side 35 of the side support spacer 33 is adapted to rest atop the rim 7 of a toilet bowl 6 when the toilet seat 3 is placed in the horizontal, down position.

FIG. 2 illustrates the manner and sequence of installation of the toilet seat stabilizing system 1 and seat kit 2. Upon opening of a packet containing the seat kit 2 components, a user first attaches the exterior surfaces of the bases 22, 27 of the opposing right and left L-brackets 25, 20 to the undersurface 4 of the right and left elongated sides 9, 8 of the toilet seat 3. The two L-brackets should be symmetrically aligned, and then attached by means of inserting at least one fastener, such as a locking screw 42, through the one or more apertures 31 in the bases of the legs 22, 27 and into the undersurface 4 of the toilet seat 3 to secure the L-brackets 25, 22 thereto. FIG. 7 is a view of a typical locking screw 42 which may be used to fasten the L-brackets 25, 20 to the undersurface of a toilet seat 3.

In a different embodiment, the L-brackets 25, 22 may contain adhesive on the exterior of their bases 22, 27, the adhesive may serve to give additional fastening security of the L-brackets 25, 22 to the undersurface 4 of the toilet seat 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the user then attaches one front spacer 30 to the undersurface 4 of the front 10 of the toilet seat 3 to assist in distributing the weight of a person sitting upon the toilet seat 3. If necessary, the previously-disclosed side spacers 33 may be attached to the interior surfaces of the bases 22, 27 of the L-brackets 25, 20.

FIG. 3 depicts a typical toilet seat 3 oriented as it would be if positioned atop a toilet bowl. The upper surface 5 of the toilet seat 3 is visible, along with the seat hinges 12, the left elongated side 8, right elongated side 9, the front 10 of the toilet seat 3, and the rear 11 of the toilet seat 3. Also shown in FIG. 3, in the isolated view A, is a right L-bracket 25, one of the components of the toilet seat kit 2. FIG. 4 presents a close-up view of the right L-bracket 25 as shown attached to the undersurface of the toilet seat 3. Further shown is the leg 26 and part of the base 27 of the right L-bracket 25.

With the seat kit 2 installed as shown, the leg 21 of the opposite left L-bracket 20 will be similarly oriented. This is illustrated in FIG. 5, which depicts the left L-bracket 20 having been installed on the opposite side of the toilet seat 3. Also shown in FIG. 5 is the base 22 of the left L-bracket 20 and the leg 21, which is shown to engage the outer edge of the rim 7 of the toilet seat 6. The lid 13 of the toilet seat3 is shown in the up position.

As stated previously, the legs 21, 26 of the opposing L-brackets 20, 25 are in perpendicular orientation relative to the toilet seat 3, such that they protrude downwardly from the toilet seat 3. When the toilet seat 3 is closed and positioned atop the toilet bowl 6, the legs 21, 26 engage the outer rim 7 of toilet bowl 6, as shown in FIG. 5. The legs 21, 26 effectively clamp the toilet bowl 6, thereby securing the toilet seat 3 to the toilet bowl 6 and preventing the toilet seat 3 from moving side-to-side atop the toilet bowl 6.

In referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a perspective view of an air freshener 40 that is attached to the leg of the left L-bracket 20 in a different embodiment of the toilet seat kit 2. In this version, the toilet seat kit 2 is modified to mount a detachable air freshener 40 device for deodorizing and creating a sanitary and comfortable bathroom environment. FIG. 10 shows that one surface of the air freshener 40 comprises an adhesive 43 that is protected by a peel-back sheet 44 and adapted to adhere to the exterior surface of the legs 21, 26 of the L-brackets 20, 25. The air fresheners 40 are adapted to be replaced and replenished as desired by the user.

While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and by no means limited by the scope of the claims presented herein.

Claims

1. A multi-piece toilet seat kit for maintaining a fixed and stable position of a hinged toilet seat when said toilet seat is rotated onto the rim of a toilet bowl, said kit comprising: at least two L-brackets, each L-bracket having a leg defined by the shorter length of said L-bracket and a base defined by the longer length of the L-bracket; at least one aperture in the base of each L-bracket; a plurality of spacers of an identical material as the L-brackets and further, each spacer having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the base of said L-brackets; and at least one means of fastening each L-bracket to the undersurface of said toilet seat.

2. The toilet seat kit of claim 1, wherein the means of fastening the outer surface of the base of each L-bracket to the undersurface of said toilet seat comprises at least one threaded lockscrew placed through the aperture(s) of said L-bracket and threadingly rotated into the undersurface of said toilet seat.

3. The toilet seat kit of claim 1, wherein the means of fastening the outer surface of the base of each L-bracket to the undersurface of said toilet seat comprises an adhesive applied to the L-bracket and/or the location of attachment of said L-bracket onto the undersurface of said toilet seat.

4. The toilet seat kit of claim 1, further comprising a planar air freshener, having one surface coated with adhesive material, which air freshener may be attached to the outer surface of the leg of at least one L-bracket by pressing the adhesive surface directly against the outer surface of the leg.

5. The toilet seat kit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of spacers, each consisting of an identical material as the L-brackets and further, each spacer having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the base of said L-brackets.

6. A method for the prevention of horizontal slippage and sliding of a hinged toilet seat when the seat is rotated to a position atop the rim of a toilet bowl, the method comprising the steps of: providing two L-brackets, each L-bracket consisting of a planar leg defined by the shorter length and a planar base defined by the longer length of the L-bracket, and further constructing at least one aperture in the base of each L-bracket;providing at least one means of fastening the outer surface of the base of each L-bracket to the undersurface of said toilet seat;providing a plurality of spacers of an identical material as the L-brackets and further, each spacer having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the base of said L-brackets;attaching the outer surface of the base of a first L-bracket to the undersurface of one side of the toilet seat, oriented such that the inner surface of the leg of said L-bracket will extend downward and abuttingly engage the outer rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is rotated into a position atop the toilet bowl;attaching the outer surface of the base of a second L-bracket to the undersurface of the opposite side of the toilet seat, oriented such that the inner surface of the leg of said L-bracket will extend downward and abuttingly engage the outer rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is rotated into a position atop the toilet bowl; andattaching a spacer having a thickness dimension corresponding to the base of each of said L-brackets onto the undersurface of the front of the toilet seat.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the means of fastening the outer surface of the base of each L-bracket to the undersurface of said toilet seat comprises at least one threaded lockscrew placed through the aperture(s) of said L-bracket and threadingly rotated into the undersurface of said toilet seat.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the means of fastening the outer surface of the base of each L-bracket to the undersurface of said toilet seat comprises an adhesive applied to the L-bracket and/or the location of attachment of said L-bracket onto the undersurface of said toilet seat.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein a planar air freshener, having one surface coated with adhesive material, is attached to the outer surface of the leg of at least one L-bracket.

10. The method of claim 6, further providing a plurality of spacers, each spacer consisting of an identical material as the L-brackets and further, each spacer having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the base of said L-brackets, wherein at least one of said spacers may be attached to the inner surface of the base of at least one of said L-brackets.

11. An improved method for stabilizing a hinged toilet seat in a horizontal position atop a toilet bowl, the improvement comprising: providing a first and a second L-bracket, each L-bracket comprising a shorter planar leg section with an inner and outer surface, and a longer planar base section having an inner and outer surface;attaching the outer surface of the base of both L-brackets to opposite sides of the undersurface of the toilet seat, oriented such that the inner surface of the leg of each L-bracket will extend downward to abuttingly engage the outer rim of the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is rotated into a horizontal position atop the toilet bowl;attaching a planar spacer, having thickness dimension corresponding to the thickness of the base of said L-brackets, onto the undersurface of the front of the toilet seat; andproviding a spacer having length, width, and thickness dimensions approximately corresponding to the dimensions of the base of said L-brackets, for attachment to the inner base of each of said L-brackets as necessary.