BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a plumbing fixture seat of the present invention in the form of a toilet seat;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional and partial side view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but of a second embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is another view similar to FIG. 1, but of a third embodiment, and with a portion broken away;
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit of a fourth embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit of a fifth embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit of a sixth embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit of a seventh embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit of an eighth embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a partial sectional and partial side view similar to FIG. 1, albeit of a ninth embodiment; and
FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 3, albeit of another embodiment with different zonal regions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a toilet seat 10 has an upper cushion 12 connected to a supporting lower base 14. The rear of the cushion 12 can be formed with cylindrical bores 13 to accept conventional hinge posts. Alternatively, the base could be formed with the bores to accept the hinge post (not shown).
The cushion 12 is a molded synthetic material that can compress somewhat when sat upon and thereby provide a cushiony feel. It is preferably formed with an upper generally flat seating surface 16 and an opposing underside 18. In one form the underside 18 includes a series of downwardly protruding feet 20 spaced apart from each other but substantially surrounding the central hole 11. The feet 20 thereby define individual cavities/air pockets 22.
The cushion 12 also comprises a outward radial edge 24 that extends downwardly from the upper surface 16 of the cushion 12 and includes an essentially hook-like flexible flange 26. The cushion may also have a radially inwardly edge 28 that also has another hook-like flexible flange 30.
The base 14 is preferably in the form of a substantially rigid slab with an upper surface 32, an underside 34, and opposing radially inward and radially outward undercuts 38 and 40. The flanges 26 and 30 can snap into the undercuts to connect the cushion 12 with base 14.
Once assembled, the downwardly protruding feet 20 of the cushion 12 rest directly on upper surface 32 to provide support. The channels 22 defined between the protruding feet 20 lighten the weight of the fixture seat 10, while also allowing some flexing of the feet if the pressure becomes too great.
The dotted lines in FIG. 2 (and also those in FIGS. 4 and 6-12) illustrate potential further bumper members that may be integral with, or linked to, the base. However, those structures are not critical to practicing the invention.
Referring next to FIGS. 3-4, a second embodiment of the plumbing fixture 10 of the present invention is shown. Similar parts are similarly numbered with respect to this embodiment, and with respect to the other embodiments. Note that here there is only one undercut 40, on the radially inward side.
The cushion 12 in FIG. 3 is comprised of various zones 42 along the circumference. Preferably, the rear zone 43 is made of a more flexible material than the zones 45. In any event, these zones can be selected from materials such as ethyl vinyl acetate, polypropylene, or polythiourethane. Other plastic and synthetic materials may also be selected which have a cushiony feel plus the other desired characteristics for the environment.
Referring next to FIGS. 5 and 6, the form of snap fit connection is slightly different because of the less slab-like nature of the base. Groove 44 shows that some weight can be reduced in this configuration.
As seen in FIG. 7 the air pockets can be removed, and if desired a convex/concave contact relationship can be between the contacting surfaces of the base and cushion. Here, the base bulges into the cushion. In contrast, as seen in FIG. 8, the cushion can instead bulge into the base.
In FIG. 9, there is a base 14A having a substantially concave upper surface 32A and an underside 34A, and an insert 14B, having a upper surface 32B and a convex underside 34B. The underside 34A of the base 14A includes an edge 36A having an undercut 40A that matingly engages with the flange 26 of the cushion 12. There is also an undercut 38A that engages flange 30 of the cushion 12. Hence, instead of relying on an air pocket to alter cushion feel, a customizable insert element 14B can be provided, and changed over time, without the need to alter the base or cushion.
In FIG. 10, the concept is similar except that there is no insert and only an air pocket 46 to provide interim support.
In FIG. 11, the base has an undulating upper surface which provides limits to the degree of deformation of the cushion, than in FIG. 10.
In FIG. 12, a slightly different base structure is shown, and the complementary cushioning has a corresponding shape.
In FIG. 13 we show another embodiment 50 where the zonal regions 51 and 52 extend along the thigh area and part of the buttocks area, rather than simply being defined by radial severing lines.
It should be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above and depicted in the enclosed drawings. However, many modifications and variations to the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, which will be within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the invention has been depicted in the context of a toilet seat, it could also be used for a seat for other plumbing fixtures. The invention could be in the form of a bidet seat, a seat associated with a bath tub, or serve another seating purpose associated with plumbing fixtures.
Therefore, the invention should not be limited to just the described embodiments. To ascertain the full scope of the invention, the following claims should be referenced.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The invention provides plumbing fixture seats, such as toilet seats, which can be customized.
Patent Application
20070294810
