The present invention relates to hinge assemblies for mounting toilet seats and/or lids to toilet bowls.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge assembly includes a hinge post, a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, and an adaptor having a first segment coupled to the head of the bolt, a second segment, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The first and second segments are both configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded shaft of the bolt. The head of the bolt is fit into the adaptor such that the first segment of the adaptor surrounds the head.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge assembly includes a hinge post and a fastener for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl. The fastener includes a threaded portion configured to extend into a bore of the toilet bowl, a first segment coupled to an end portion of the threaded portion, a second segment configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded portion of the fastener. The threaded portion, the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the fastener are composed of a plastic material and are unitary.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge assembly includes a hinge post defining an opening and including an upper surface that surrounds the opening, a threaded fastener extending through the opening of the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl, and a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener. The bushing includes a flange and an expandable lower section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The flange is supported by the upper surface of the hinge post over the opening. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded fastener. The nut expands the expandable lower section of the bushing as the threaded fastener is rotated relative to the hinge post to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.
In still another embodiment, the invention provides a hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge assembly includes a hinge post defining an opening and including an upper surface that surrounds the opening, a threaded fastener extending through the opening of the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl, and a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener. The bushing includes a flange and a lower section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The flange is supported by the upper surface of the hinge post over the opening. The lower section has an outer diameter that is smaller than the opening in the hinge post such that the hinge post is movable relative to the threaded fastener and the bushing to adjust a position of the hinge post on the toilet bowl. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded fastener.
In yet still another embodiment, the invention provides a method of installing a hinge post on a toilet bowl. The hinge post defines an opening and includes an upper surface that surrounds the opening. The method includes assembling a bushing on a threaded fastener. The bushing includes a flange. The method also includes inserting the assembled threaded fastener and bushing through the opening of the hinge post and into a bore of the toilet bowl such that the flange of the bushing is supported by the upper surface of the hinge post, adjusting a position of the hinge post on the toilet bowl, and rotating the threaded fastener to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge assembly includes a hinge post defining an opening and including an upper surface that surrounds the opening, and a threaded fastener extending through the opening of the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl. The threaded fastener has a first end portion and a second end portion. The hinge assembly also includes an adaptor having a first segment coupled to the first end portion of the threaded fastener, a second segment, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The first and second segments are both configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The hinge assembly further includes a nut threadably coupled to the second end portion of the threaded fastener and a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener between the adaptor and the nut. The bushing includes a flange and an expandable lower section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The flange is supported by the upper surface of the hinge post over the opening. The expandable lower section has an outer diameter that is smaller than the opening in the hinge post such that the hinge post is movable relative to the threaded fastener and the bushing to adjust a position of the hinge post on the toilet bowl. The nut expands the expandable lower section of the bushing as the threaded fastener is rotated relative to the hinge post to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge assembly includes a first member configured to be supported on the toilet bowl for movement along the toilet bowl. The first member defines a first opening. The hinge assembly also includes a second member supported on the first member for movement along the first member. The second member defines a second opening. The hinge assembly further includes a threaded fastener extending through the first opening in the first member and the second opening in the second member. The threaded fastener is configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl to secure the first and second members to the toilet bowl. The hinge assembly also includes a hinge post coupled to at least one of the first member and the second member. Dimensions of the first opening and the second opening are larger than an outer diameter of the threaded fastener such that the first and second members are movable relative to the threaded fastener to adjust a position of the hinge post relative to the toilet bowl in both a front-to-back direction and a side-to-side direction.
In still another embodiment, the invention provides a hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl. The hinge assembly includes a member configured to be supported on the toilet bowl, a threaded fastener extending through the member and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl to secure the member to the toilet bowl, and a hinge post defining a cavity. The hinge post is slidable along the toilet bowl onto the member such that the cavity receives the member. The hinge assembly also includes a tab coupled to one of the member and the hinge post to releasably secure the hinge post to the member. The tab is manually operable to allow removal of the hinge post from the member.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
The hinge post 18 includes a base portion 42, a post portion 46, and a cover or cap 50. The base portion 42 is configured to sit on the toilet bowl 14 and defines a recessed area 54. The recessed area 54 is bound by an upwardly-extending sidewall 58 of the base portion 42. The recessed area 54 is shaped and sized to receive portions of the threaded fastener 26 and the bushing 34 when the hinge post 18 is positioned on the toilet bowl 14. An opening 62 is formed through the base portion 42 in communication with the recessed area 54. The illustrated opening 62 is an elongated opening that receives the threaded fastener 26 to align the fastener 26 with a bore 66 (
The post portion 46 includes two legs 74 extending perpendicularly from the base portion 42. Each leg 74 defines a bore 78 for receiving a pin. The pin pivotally mounts one or more hinge leaves to the hinge post 18 to pivotally couple the toilet seat and/or lid to the hinge assembly 10.
The cover 50 is coupled to the base portion 42 by a living hinge 82. The cover 50 is movable between an open position (
The threaded fastener 26 extends through the opening 62 in the hinge post 18 and the bore 66 in the toilet bowl 14 to secure the hinge post 18 to the bowl 14. As shown in
As shown in
The illustrated adaptor 30 includes a first or lower segment 118 coupled to the upper end portion 98 of the threaded fastener 26, a second or upper segment 122, and a middle shear segment 126 connecting the first and second segments 118, 122. The segments 118, 122, 126 are coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis 94. The first and second segments 118, 122 both include hex-shaped outer surfaces 130, 134 that are configured to be engaged by a tool (e.g., a wrench, a pliers, etc.) to rotate the adaptor 30 and the fastener 26 about the longitudinal axis 94. The shear segment 126 is relatively thinner than the first and second segments 118, 122 such that the shear segment 126 has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments 118, 122. Referring to
As shown in
As shown in
The nut 38 is threadably coupled to the lower end portion 102 of the threaded fastener 26. The nut 38 is configured to expand the expandable bushing 34 as the fastener 26 is rotated about the axis 94 to secure the hinge post 18 to the toilet bowl 14. The illustrated nut 38 is generally cylindrical and includes a tapered or frustoconical upper surface 158 that engages a corresponding inner surface 166 on the segments 141 of the bushing 34. The nut 38 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the opening 62 in the hinge post 18 and the bore 66 in the toilet bowl 14 such that the nut 38 can be dropped through the opening 62 and the bore 66 with the fastener 26 and the bushing 34. The nut 38 also has four ribs 162 (
As the fastener 26 is rotated relative to the hinge post 18, the ribs 162 inhibit the nut 38 from rotating relative to the bushing 34 with the fastener 26. Rather, as shown in
The illustrated fastener assembly 22 facilitates rapid installation of the toilet seat hinge assembly 10 on a toilet bowl. The threaded fastener 26, the adaptor 30, the bushing 34, and the nut 38 can be preassembled as a single unit and then inserted through the elongated opening 62 of the hinge post 18 and into a bore of a toilet bowl to secure the hinge post 18 to the bowl. In addition, the nut 38 is keyed to the bushing 34 such that a user does not need to grasp and hold the nut 38 when rotating the adaptor 30 and the fastener 26. Instead, the user only needs to rotate the adaptor 30 until the shear segment 126 breaks to secure the hinge assembly 10 in place. This arrangement allows the fastener assembly 22 to be top-installed and top-tightened in restricted areas, such as on toilet bowls with blind bores. Furthermore, the fastener 26 is sized (e.g., between approximately 3/16 inch and ⅜ inch in diameter) to work with the normal variation of toilet bowl bore sizes.
In the illustrated embodiment, a substantial portion of the expandable lower section 140 of the bushing 34 extends out of the bore 186 past the bottom surface 182 of the toilet bowl flange 176. As the fastener 26 is rotated to tighten the nut 38, the lower section 140 not only grips an inner surface 190 of the bore 186, but also expands into the radius below the bore 186 to provide some degree of axial clamping. This axial clamping increases the security of the hinge assembly 10 on the bowl 174. The nut 38 is also moved axially further toward the hinge post 18 such that the second end portion 102 of the fastener 26 extends out of and beyond the nut 38.
The illustrated bushing 208 includes a rectangular flange 252 and a lower section 256. The lower section 256 extends through the opening 240 of the hinge post 204 and into a bore 260 (
The flange 252 is supported on the upper surface 244 of the hinge post 204 over the opening 240. As shown in
As shown in
In other embodiments, the flange 252 of the bushing 208 could be integrally formed (e.g., by injection molding) with the fastener 212 such that the flange 252 would essentially also be part of the head portion 288 of the fastener 212. In such embodiments, either an ordinary nut or a shear nut (similar to the shear nuts disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2009/0276944 (‘the 944 Publication), the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein) could be used to secure the fastener 212 to the toilet bowl 248. The teeth 276 on the flange 252 and the teeth 280 on the hinge post 204 could still help fix the hinge post 204 relative to the toilet bowl 248 when the fastener 212 is tightened and allow for adjustment of the hinge post 204 on the toilet bowl 248 when the fastener 212 is loosened.
The illustrated threaded fastener 312 also includes two slots 344, 348 formed in an upward-facing surface 352 of the first segment 324. The slots 344, 348 are formed within a periphery defined by the outer surface 340 of the first segment 324. The illustrated slots 344, 348 are arranged perpendicularly for engagement by a Phillips head screwdriver to rotate the fastener 312. In other embodiments, the fastener 312 may include a single slot for engagement by a flat head screwdriver.
As shown in
The mounting plate 408 also includes a tab 484 extending from the front wall 436 away from the plate cavity 452. The tab 484 is deflectable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is biased to the locked position. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 416 is a conventional bolt including a head 536 and a threaded shaft 540. The head 536 engages and is supported by an upper surface of the horizontal plate 512 of the clip 412. The illustrated head 536 is a Phillips head, but may alternatively be a flat head, a hex head, or any other type of head suitable for engagement and rotation by a tool. The shaft 540 extends through the clip opening 532 and the plate opening 456 into a bore 544 (
As shown in
Referring back to
As shown in
The hinge post 420 is then secured to the mounting plate 408 by sliding the post 420 along the toilet bowl 404 and onto the plate 408 in a forward horizontal direction F (
As the hinge post 420 is slid on the mounting plate 408, the tab 484 is automatically depressed to the unlocked position by the hinge post 420. In particular, the angled surface 492 of the projection 488 engages and rides under an edge of the hinge post 420 to deflect the tab 484 toward the toilet bowl 404. This allows the projection 488 to pass through the front opening 572 of the hinge post 420 and into the base cavity 568. Once the mounting plate 408 is sufficiently within the cavity 568, the tab 484 automatically snaps into the locked position (
To remove the hinge post 420 from the mounting plate 408, a user manually depresses the tab 484 toward the toilet bowl 404 to the unlocked position. In this position, the projection 488 on the tab 484 disengages the lip 588 such that the hinge post 420 can be slid off of the mounting plate 408 in the rearward horizontal direction R.
The directions used to describe the hinge assemblies (e.g., front, back, side, forward, rearward, upper, lower, etc.) correspond to the directions of a hinge assembly when secured to a toilet bowl in one orientation. The directional language should not be regarded as limiting as the hinge assemblies could be oriented in other directions and ways on a toilet bowl and still function as described above. For example, the term “front” as used above could refer to a position to the left, right, or rear of a toilet bowl.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/424,111, filed Dec. 17, 2010, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/451,708, filed Mar. 11, 2011, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/550,155, filed Oct. 21, 2011, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
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PCT/US2011/065315 | 12/16/2011 | WO | 00 | 6/17/2013 |
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WO2012/083096 | 6/21/2012 | WO | A |
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