Patent Application
20180199773
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of toilet seat devices and more specifically relates to an improved toilet seat structured and arranged to freely swivel in both left and right directions, a full 360 degrees to provide a user especially a handicapped user a toilet seat that increases comfort and facilitates freedom of movement while utilizing a bathroom facility.
One of the most useful and practical rooms in any household is the bathroom. The bathroom is the one room in the home where people shower or bathe, brush their teeth, shave, apply make-up, and undergo other personal grooming tasks. Perhaps most importantly, the bathroom houses that most necessary of items: the toilet. Although difficult to discuss, the need to use the toilet is something every human being shares in common. Since 1596, when the first flushing toilet was invented by author Sir John Harrington for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, the “water closet” has evolved into the efficient, closed tank and bowl system common today. While an accessible toilet is something that is found in every home and business, this most utilitarian of items can still possess limitations.
One such drawback that can be found in modern toilet designs is the seat. Securely mounted to the bowl to serve as a buffer between the user and the water in the bowl, the seat can prove quite uncomfortable and unyielding at times. For instance, users who may have limited physical abilities due to illness or age often have trouble easily positioning themselves on the immovable seat when needing to sit, get up, or attend to the person while on the toilet. For healthy individuals as well as the disabled, the stationary seat can pose a problem should one need to access an item that is slightly out of reach, such as a ringing cellphone or a new roll of toilet tissue.
Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in toilet seat device art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 8,316,472 to Robert C. Martin; U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,328 to Alfred Potvin; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,662 to Sharon Carper-White. This prior art is representative of toilet seats comprising swivel means.
Ideally, a swivel flow seat should be user-friendly and safe in-use and, yet should operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for an improved toilet seat structured and arranged to freely swivel in both left and right directions, a full 360 degrees to provide a user especially a handicapped user a toilet seat that increases comfort and facilitates freedom of movement while utilizing a bathroom facility and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known toilet seat device art, the present invention provides a Swivel Flow Seat. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide an improved toilet seat structured and arranged to freely swivel in both left and right directions, a full 360 degrees to provide a user especially a handicapped user a toilet seat that increases comfort and facilitates freedom of movement while utilizing a bathroom facility.
In a toilet seat having a top surface and an aperture therethrough forming an inner rim, the improvement comprising: a swivel seat member and a swivel assembly. The swivel seat member comprises a top portion; a bottom portion; and an aperture. Wherein the top portion has an outer edge portion. Wherein the bottom portion has an outer edge portion. Wherein the aperture is formed through the top portion and bottom portion and forms an inner rim.
The swivel assembly includes a base plate; a master ring; a circular bearing. The base plate includes an inner edge portion. The base plate is removably secured to the top portion of the toilet seat. Wherein the master ring is attached to the bottom portion. Wherein the circular bearing is attached between the base plate and the master ring and is adapted to allow rotary movement therebetween. Wherein the swivel seat member is adapted to allow a user to swivel upon the toilet seat when in use.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a Swivel Flow Seat. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, an improved toilet seat having top surface and aperture therethrough forming an inner rim entitled Swivel Flow Seat, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a toilet seat device and more specifically relates to an improved toilet seat structured and arranged to freely swivel in both left and right directions, a full 360 degrees to provide a user especially a handicapped user a toilet seat that increases comfort and facilitates freedom of movement while utilizing a bathroom facility.
Generally speaking, the Swivel Flow Seat would resemble a standard toilet seat, and may be produced in a variety of materials including plastic, wood, or rubber padding, to name just a few examples. Additionally, the unit would be made in all shapes and existing sizes, as well as in a variety of colors and designs, to accommodate both rounded and oval, elongated toilet bowls, as well as match existing bathroom décor.
Unique to the Swivel Flow Seat and what sets it apart from common varieties is its rotation assembly. The underside of the seat preferably comprises a three-tiered configuration: a unit stabilizer (base plate), core circle (circular bearing), and master ring. In addition to securing and stabilizing the seat onto any standard mount, these components will preferably feature an integrated pivoting axle or circular bearing, which will provide the unit's swiveling capabilities. Thus constructed, the Swivel Flow Seat, when installed onto a toilet bowl and put into operation, would allow for complete, unimpeded movement from left to right and back again; essentially, 360 degrees of rotation.
Allowing for complete side-to-side rotation, the Swivel Flow Seat will preferably permit a user to sit as per usual, and if needed, simply rotate in the direction he or she needs to go, whether to reach for something or for any reason, without repositioning the body in an awkward position or having to get up from the seat to do so. With the free range and accessibility offered here, users can attend to any needed task that presents itself at this delicate time with expedience and simplicity. For example, one may choose to read, talk business, or chat on the phone; paint their toe nails or apply make-up, or even just have a smoke, all easily done with the freedom of movement this product allows.
The Swivel Flow Seat would be especially beneficial to those with mobility limitations, by helping these users better position themselves without stress or strain. With the unit's rotating assembly rotating a full 360 degrees, this invention would work to facilitate free movement, without worry of damaging toilet seat parts should the need to move around arise. Indeed, the Swivel Flow Seat will preferably foster a renewed sense of independence and self-sufficiency in those who need it. Not just for home use, the Swivel Flow Seat will preferably be very beneficial to hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. Businesses and other venues might also find the Swivel Flow Seat an attractive and useful addition.
Referring now to
In improved toilet seat 100 having top surface 110 and aperture 150 therethrough forming an inner rim 124 comprising: swivel seat member 120 and swivel assembly 160. As shown in
Swivel assembly 160 includes base plate 200; master ring 220; and circular bearing 240. Base plate 200 includes inner edge portion 204. Base plate 200 is removably secured to bottom portion 140 of toilet seat 100. Wherein base plate 200 of swivel assembly 160 is formed having aperture 210 therethrough; master ring 220 of swivel assembly 160 is formed having aperture 230 therethrough; and circular bearing 240 of swivel assembly 160 is formed having aperture 250 therethrough; wherein when base plate 200, swivel assembly 220, and circular bearing 240 are connected together aperture 210 of base plate, aperture 230 of master ring 220, and aperture 250 of circular bearing 240 concentrically align and are substantially similar in shape and size; and when in use aperture 210 of base plate, aperture 230 of master ring 220, and aperture 250 of circular bearing 240 concentrically align with aperture 150 of toilet seat 100. Wherein base plate member 200 removably secured to bottom portion 140 of toilet seat 100 via fastener 206 chosen from a group of fasteners 206 consisting of double-sided tape, hook and loop material, glue, and suction cups. Wherein aperture 150 of swivel seat member 160, base plate 210, master ring 230, and circular bearing 230 have a circular cross section.
Wherein master ring 220 is attached to bottom portion 140. Wherein circular bearing 240 is attached between base plate 200 and master ring 220 and is adapted to allow rotary movement therebetween. Wherein circular bearing 240 includes inner races 242 and outer races 244 and set of balls 246 therebetween.
Wherein swivel seat member 120 is adapted to allow user 510 to swivel upon toilet seat 100 when in use as shown in in-use condition 500 of
Improved toilet seat 100 further comprising inner splash guard member 400 attached to and extending along the length of inner edge portion 204 of base plate 200, extends upwardly therefrom and is adapted to cover and protect master ring 220 and circular bearing 240 of swivel assembly 160 from water and waste splashing thereon. Improved toilet seat 100 further comprising spring suspension assembly 420 connected between bottom portion 140 and master ring 220 of swivel assembly 160. Wherein spring suspension assembly 420 includes plurality of spaced helical spring members 430.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/499,087, filed Jan. 18, 2017 which application is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62499087 | Jan 2017 | US |
