Children's toilet seat assembly

Abstract

A child toilet seat assembly is provided, comprising: a base member configured to be coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly having an adult toilet seat and a cover; and a child toilet seat coupled to the base member via a hinge joint. The hinge joint comprises a protrusion formed on one of the base member and the child toilet seat, wherein the hinge joint further comprises a recess formed in the other of the base member and the child toilet seat, and wherein the protrusion is received in the recess so that the child toilet seat can pivot about a pivot axis and move along a translation axis, wherein one of the protrusion and the recess comprises a tab, wherein the other of the protrusion and the recess comprises a notch, wherein the tab is received in the notch when the child toilet seat is in a locked state, and wherein the tab is spaced apart from the notch when the child toilet seat is in an unlocked state.

Description

[0001] Divisional Application Instructions

[0002] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese invention patent application with an application date of December 24, 2018, a priority date of December 22, 2017, an application number of 201811581025.X and an invention name of “Children’s Toilet Seat Assembly”.

[0003] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0004] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 609,673, filed on December 22, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to toilet seat assemblies, and more particularly, to a children's toilet seat assembly coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly. Background Art

[0006] A toilet seat assembly comprising an adult toilet seat and a children's toilet seat is known. However, it is difficult to control the state of the children's toilet seat in the existing toilet seat assembly, and it is difficult to move the children's toilet seat into a storage position together with the lid of the toilet seat assembly in a simple manner.

[0007] Thus, there is room for improvement in the prior art toilet seat assemblies. Summary of the invention

[0008] In one aspect, a child toilet seat assembly includes a base member configured to be coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly having an adult toilet seat and a cover that is pivotally coupled to a hinge post. The child toilet seat assembly also includes a child toilet seat coupled to the base member via a hinge joint. The hinge joint enables the child toilet seat to pivot about a pivot axis between an operating position and a storage position. The hinge joint also enables the child toilet seat to move along the translation axis between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locked state inhibits the child toilet seat from moving relative to the base member, and the unlocked state allows the child toilet seat to move relative to the base member, wherein the child toilet seat is configured to automatically move into the storage position together with the lid by lifting the lid, wherein the pivot axis is a child seat pivot axis, wherein the child toilet seat is configured to pivot about the child seat pivot axis when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state, and wherein the child toilet seat is configured to pivot about an adult seat pivot axis that is not colinear with the child seat pivot axis when the child toilet seat is in the locked state.

[0009] In another aspect, the base member is configured to be coupled to a cover of an adult toilet seat assembly.

[0010] In another aspect, the base member is configured to be selectively coupled to the cover.

[0011] On the other hand, the hinge joint includes a protrusion formed on one of the base member and the child toilet seat, and the hinge joint also includes a recess formed in the other of the base member and the child toilet seat, and the protrusion is received in the recess so that the child toilet seat can pivot about the pivot axis and move along the translation axis.

[0012] In another aspect, one of the protrusion and the recess includes a tab, and the other of the protrusion and the recess includes a notch, the tab being received in the notch when the child toilet seat is in the locked state, and the tab being spaced apart from the notch when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state.

[0013] In another aspect, the base member includes a step and the child toilet seat includes a lip that is engageable with the step when the child toilet seat is in the locked state and that is spaced apart from the step when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state.

[0014] On the other hand, a child toilet seat assembly includes: a base member configured to be coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly having an adult toilet seat and a cover; and a cover that is pivotally coupled to a hinge post. The child toilet seat assembly also includes: a child toilet seat having a support surface configured to support a person; a protrusion coupled to one of the base member and the child toilet seat; and a recess formed in the other of the base member and the child toilet seat. The protrusion is received in the recess so that the child toilet seat can pivot relative to the base member between an operating position and a storage position about a pivot axis. The protrusion is capable of sliding within the recess between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the locked state inhibits the child toilet seat from moving relative to the base member, and the unlocked state allows the child toilet seat to move relative to the base member, wherein the pivot axis is a child seat pivot axis, wherein the child toilet seat is configured to pivot about the child seat pivot axis when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state, and wherein the child toilet seat is configured to pivot about the adult seat pivot axis when the child toilet seat is in the locked state.

[0015] In another aspect, a toilet seat system includes an adult toilet seat that is pivotable about a first pivot axis, a lid that is pivotable about the first pivot axis, and a child toilet seat that is pivotable about a second pivot axis that is different from the first axis between an operating position and a storage position. The child toilet seat is also movable along a translation axis between a locked state that inhibits pivotable movement of the child toilet seat relative to the lid and an unlocked state that allows pivotable movement of the child toilet seat relative to the lid. The toilet seat system also includes a base member that is coupled to the lid and the child toilet seat, wherein the base member and the child toilet seat define a hinge joint that enables the child toilet seat to move about the adult seat pivot axis, the child seat pivot axis, and along the translation axis.

[0016] Any of the above-mentioned aspects of the invention can be combined with any one or more of the above-mentioned referenced aspects of the invention.

[0017] In addition, other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat system including a children's toilet seat assembly toilet seat coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly in an operating position.

[0019] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the child toilet seat assembly.

[0020] Figure 3 An exploded view of a portion of a child's toilet seat assembly.

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a base member of a children's toilet seat assembly coupled to a cover of an adult toilet seat assembly.

[0022] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a children's toilet seat assembly coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly in a storage position.

[0023] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 6-6, showing an unlocked state of the children's toilet seat assembly when the children's toilet seat assembly is in the operating position.

[0024] Figure 7 It is along Figure 57-7 of FIG. 1 , which is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the toilet seat system taken along section line 7-7, illustrating a locked state of the children's toilet seat assembly when the children's toilet seat assembly is in the storage position.

[0025] Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 7-7 of FIG. 1 , which is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the toilet seat system taken along section line 7-7, illustrating a locked state of the children's toilet seat assembly when the children's toilet seat assembly is in the storage position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Before explaining any embodiment of the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the application of the present invention is not limited to the details of the structure and the arrangement of parts proposed in the following description or shown in the following drawings. The present invention can have other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in various ways. In addition, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be considered as restrictive. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that degree terms, such as "substantially", "about", "approximately", etc. refer to a reasonable range outside a given value, for example, the general tolerance associated with the manufacture, assembly and use of the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 1 An adult toilet seat assembly 10 is shown, which includes an adult seat 15 and a lid 20 that can be pivotally coupled to two hinge posts 25 about a first pivot axis or adult pivot axis 30. The hinge posts 25 are fixed to a toilet bowl 32 so that the adult seat 15 and the lid 20 can move independently about the adult pivot axis 30 relative to the toilet bowl 32. In other embodiments, the adult toilet seat assembly 10 can include one hinge post to which the adult seat 15 and the lid 20 can be pivotally coupled. The illustrated adult seat 15 includes an adult support surface 35 that is adapted to form an adult seat opening 40 ( Figure 5 ) to support an adult on the toilet bowl 32. The illustrated lid 20 includes: a bottom surface 45, a top surface 50, and an edge 55 positioned between the bottom surface 45 and the top surface 50. The bottom surface 45 and the edge 55 define a recess 60 of the lid 20. The lid 20 also includes an arm 65 ( Figure 4 ), the arms 65 allowing the lid 20 to be attached to the hinge posts 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge posts 25 are positioned between the arms 65 along the adult pivot axis 30. In other embodiments, one or two arms 65 can be positioned between the hinge posts 25. In another embodiment, the lid 20 can include an arm 65 allowing the lid 20 to be attached to the hinge posts 25.

[0028] Continue to refer Figure 1, the child toilet seat assembly 70 is selectively coupled to the adult toilet seat assembly 10. The adult toilet seat assembly 10 and the child toilet seat assembly 70 can be collectively referred to as a toilet seat system. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the child seat assembly 70 includes a child seat 75 coupled to two base members 80 at a hinge joint 85. The illustrated hinge joint 85 at least partially defines a second pivot axis or child pivot axis 86 and a translation axis 88 ( Figure 1 ), the translation axis 88 being generally perpendicular to the child pivot axis 86, discussed in greater detail below. The illustrated child seat 75 includes a child support surface 90 adapted to support a child over the toilet bowl 32 with the child support surface 90 forming a child seat opening 95 having an area that is smaller than the area of ​​the adult seat opening 40. A pair of arms 100 extend from the child support surface 90 in a rearward direction away from the child seat opening 95, with each arm 100 having a first portion 105 and a second portion 110. Referring to FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the first portion 105 is wider than the second portion 110 in a direction along the child pivot axis 86. Each second portion 110 includes a generally cylindrical protrusion 115 having an outer circumferential surface 120 extending parallel to the child pivot axis 86 such that the protrusions 115 extend toward each other. In other embodiments, the protrusions 115 can be positioned on opposite sides of the second portion 110 to extend away from each other. Each illustrated protrusion 115 includes a notch 130 that opens in a direction generally opposite to the child support surface 90 and the corresponding arm 100. In addition, each arm 100 includes a retaining member 135 (e.g., a lip or edge) that is provided on each arm 100 ( Figure 3 ) and is positioned at an end of the first portion 105 opposite the child support surface 90. In the illustrated embodiment, each retaining member 135 extends toward the opposing arm 100 a distance greater than the protrusion 115 positioned adjacent to the respective retaining member 135 extends toward the opposing arm 100 (e.g., at least a portion of the retaining member 135 is positioned between the protrusions 115 in a direction parallel to the child pivot axis 86; Figure 3 ). In other embodiments, the protrusion 115 can be positioned between two retaining members 135 in a direction parallel to the child pivot axis 86 .

[0029] Continue to refer Figure 2 and Figure 3, each base member 80 includes: a top wall 140, a bottom wall 145 opposite the top wall 140, a front wall 150, a side wall 155, and an open side 160 opposite the side wall 155, wherein the open side 160 allows access to the inner cavity 165 of each base member 80. In other embodiments, the two base members 80 can be combined into one base member. The illustrated side wall 155 includes a rectangular oval protrusion 170, which defines a protrusion cavity or recess 175, and a tab 180 protrudes into the protrusion cavity 175. In particular, the tab 180 is located in the bottom 185 of the protrusion cavity 175 and extends toward the top 190 of the protrusion cavity 175 ( Figure 3 In other embodiments, the protrusion 170 can have different shapes (eg, circular, triangular, rectangular, etc.). In further embodiments, a portion of the sidewall 155 within the elliptical protrusion 170 can be omitted so that the protrusion cavity 175 is in communication with the inner cavity 165.

[0030] The illustrated top wall 140 includes a step 195 positioned between the support surface 200 of the top wall 140 and the front wall 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 150 at least partially defines a curved surface. In other embodiments, the front wall 150 can include a plurality of planar surfaces angled relative to each other to define a generally curved front wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the lip 205 ( Figure 3 and 4 ) is coupled to the top wall 140 and extends away from the support surface 200 toward the bottom wall 145. In other embodiments, the top wall 140, the bottom wall 145 and / or the front wall 150 can include a lip 205. Each illustrated base member 80 also includes a finger 210 coupled to the bottom wall 145, the finger 210 extending away from the front wall 150 so that the oval protrusion 170 is positioned between the front wall 150 and the finger 210. In one embodiment, the finger 210 is configured to bend or move elastically relative to the support surface 200 to open or close a gap 215 positioned between the finger 210 and the support surface 200. In other embodiments, the finger 210 can be fixed relative to the support surface 200. In other embodiments, the base member 80 can include the protrusion 115, and the arm 100 can include: the protrusion 170, the protrusion cavity 175, and the tab 180.

[0031] To couple the child seat assembly 70 to the adult seat assembly 10, the base member 80 is selectively coupled to the cover 20 ( Figure 4), so that the base member 80 moves with the lid 20 about the adult pivot axis 30. In one embodiment, the base member 80 moves generally parallel to the adult pivot axis 30 to couple to the arms 65. In particular, the edge 55 of the lid 20 is positioned within each gap 215 so that each finger 210 is adjacent to the top surface 50 of the lid 20 and the end 220 of each top wall 140 is adjacent to the bottom surface 45 of the lid 20. By sliding the base member 80 relative to the arms 65, the open side 160 of each base member 80 receives the arm 65 so that the arm 65 is located within the inner cavity 165 of each base member 80. When each arm 65 is received by one base member 80, the open side 160 flexes open to provide sufficient clearance between the lip 205 and the bottom wall 145 so that each arm 65 slides between the lip 205 and the bottom wall 145. Once each arm 65 is fully received within the inner cavity 165, the open side 160 resiliently moves back to the original state, so that the lip 205 retains the base member 80 to the corresponding arm 65 (e.g., inhibiting the base member 80 from moving relative to the arm 65 in a direction generally parallel to the adult pivot axis 30). In some embodiments, the finger 210 can contact the top surface 50, and the end 220 can contact the bottom surface 45. As a result, the finger 210 and the end 220 also retain the base member 80 to the lid 20 by the clamping force provided by each finger 210, which acts on the lid 20 against the end 220 of the top wall 140 (e.g., inhibiting the base member 80 from moving relative to the arm 65 in a direction generally perpendicular to the adult pivot axis 30). In another embodiment, the base member 80 can slide onto the arm 65 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the adult pivot axis 30, rather than sliding onto the arm 65 in a direction generally parallel to the adult pivot axis 30.

[0032] In other embodiments, the base member 80 can be integrally formed with the lid 20 (e.g., each base member 80 is integrally formed with one arm 65). In further embodiments, the base member 80 can be coupled to the lid 20 but spaced apart from the arm 65 (e.g., the base member 80 can be coupled to the bottom surface 45, the top surface 50, and / or the edge 55 of the lid 20). In still further embodiments, the base member 80 can be coupled to at least one of the hinge post 25 and the adult seat 15. In still further embodiments, the base member 80 can be formed in different shapes to couple to different types / styles of adult toilet seat assemblies 10.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6, the child seat 75 is selectively coupled to the base member 80, and ultimately to the lid 20, by positioning each protrusion 115 within a corresponding protrusion cavity 175. In particular, the arms (e.g., second portion 110) of the child seat 75 are configured to bend away from each other to provide sufficient clearance for the protrusion 115 to move over the oval convex portion 170 and into the protrusion cavity 175. Without the tab 180 of the base member 80 being received within the notch 130 of the child seat 75, the child seat 75 is in an unlocked or movable state relative to the lid 20, allowing the child seat 75 to be rotated about the child pivot axis 86 in the operating position ( Figure 1 and Figure 6 ) and storage location ( Figure 5 , 7 In other embodiments, the child seat 75 can be connected to the base member 80 before the base member 80 is connected to the cover 20.

[0034] In the operating position ( Figure 1 and 6 ), when the adult seat 15 is pressed against the toilet bowl 32, the lid 20 is in the open position, and the child seat 75 is pressed against the adult support surface 35. Figure 6 , the tab 180 of the base member 80 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 120 of the protrusion 115 (e.g., the tab 180 is not received in the notch 130 when the child seat 75 is in the operating position) to position the protrusion 115 in the top 190 of the protrusion cavity 175. When the child seat 75 is in the operating position, the child pivot axis 86 and the adult pivot axis 30 are non-colinear ( Figure 6 ). In other words, the child pivot axis 86 and the adult pivot axis 30 are spaced apart from each other.

[0035] When the child seat 75 is moved from the operating position to the storage position (by manually lifting the child seat 75 or the adult seat 15 toward the lid 20), the sliding engagement between the outer circumferential surface 120 and the tab 180 allows the child seat 75 to rotate about the child pivot axis 86. Once the notch 130 is aligned with the tab 180, the child seat 75 is allowed to move downwardly along the translation axis 88 into the bottom 185 of the protrusion cavity 175 so that the notch 130 receives the tab 180. In addition, the retaining member 135 abuts against the step 195 and the support surface 200 ( Figure 7). As a result, the child seat 75 is in a locked or fixed state relative to the cover 20 because the engagement between the tab 180 and the notch 130 and the engagement between the retaining member 135 and the step 195 inhibits pivotable movement of the child seat 75 relative to the cover 20. In other embodiments, the tab 180 can be coupled to the protrusion 115 of the child seat 75, and the notch 130 can be formed in the base member 80. In further embodiments, one of the retaining member 135 / step 195 and the tab 180 / notch 130 can be omitted so that the other of the retaining member 135 / step 195 and the tab 180 / notch 130 functions to retain the child seat 75 in the locked state. In yet further embodiments, the top wall 140 of the base member 80 can include a recess that receives a portion (e.g., an edge) of the arm 100 so as to retain the child seat 75 in the locked state.

[0036] Furthermore, when the child seat 75 is moved into the locked state, the child pivot axis 86 moves to be substantially in line with the adult pivot axis 30 ( Figure 7 ). Thus, the lid 20, base member 80 and child seat 75 can move together about the adult pivot axis 30. For example, by lifting the lid 20 from a closed position (not shown) to an open position, the child toilet seat 75 automatically moves into position with the lid 20. Figure 5 in the storage location shown in .

[0037] In order to remove the child seat 75 from the locked state ( Figure 7 ) moves to the unlocked state ( Figure 8 ) in order to move the child seat 75 into the operating position again ( Figure 1 ), the child seat 75 is lifted away from the base member 80 in a direction along the translation axis 88 to move the child pivot axis 86 away from the adult pivot axis 30. In addition, the protrusions 115 slide within the corresponding protrusion cavities 175, allowing the tabs 180 to disengage from the notches 130 and allowing the retaining member 135 to not contact the step 195 ( Figure 8 ). Afterwards, the child seat 75 can be turned back to the operating position ( Figure 1 ). The hinge joint 85 shown enables the child seat 75 to move about a child pivot axis 86 , about an adult pivot axis 30 , and along a translation axis 88 .

[0038] In summary, the child toilet seat 75 can be rotated relative to the adult seat 15 and the lid 20 about the child pivot axis 86 in the operating position ( Figure 1 and Figure 6 ) and storage location ( Figure 5 and Figure 7 ). The child toilet seat 75 is also capable of pivoting along the translation axis 88 relative to the adult seat 15 and the lid 20 in the locked state ( Figure 7 ) and unlocked state ( Figure 8 ) between the locked states ( Figure 7 ) inhibits the child toilet seat 75 from pivoting relative to the lid 20, the unlocked state ( Figure 8 ) allows the child toilet seat 75 to move between pivotal movements relative to the lid 20. When in the locked state ( Figure 7 ), the children's toilet seat 75 can also pivot together with the lid 20 about the adult pivot axis 30.

[0039] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described. Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A children's toilet seat assembly, comprising: a base member configured to be coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly having an adult toilet seat and a cover pivotably coupled to a hinge post; as well as a child toilet seat, the child toilet seat being coupled to the base member via a hinge joint, the hinge joint enabling the child toilet seat to pivot about a pivot axis between an operating position and a storage position, the hinge joint also enabling the child toilet seat to move along a translation axis between a locked state and an unlocked state, the locked state inhibiting movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member, and the unlocked state allowing movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member, wherein the hinge joint includes a protrusion formed on one of the base member and the child toilet seat, wherein the hinge joint further includes a recess formed in the other of the base member and the child toilet seat, and wherein the protrusion is received within the recess so that the child toilet seat can pivot about the pivot axis and move along the translation axis, One of the protrusion and the recess includes a tab, wherein the other of the protrusion and the recess includes a notch, wherein when the child toilet seat is in the locked state, the tab is received in the notch, and wherein when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state, the tab is spaced apart from the notch.

2. A children's toilet seat assembly, comprising: a base member configured to be coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly having an adult toilet seat and a cover pivotably coupled to a hinge post; as well as a child toilet seat, the child toilet seat being coupled to the base member via a hinge joint, the hinge joint enabling the child toilet seat to pivot about a pivot axis between an operating position and a storage position, the hinge joint also enabling the child toilet seat to move along a translation axis between a locked state and an unlocked state, the locked state inhibiting movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member, and the unlocked state allowing movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member, wherein the hinge joint includes a protrusion formed on one of the base member and the child toilet seat, wherein the hinge joint further includes a recess formed in the other of the base member and the child toilet seat, and wherein the protrusion is received within the recess so that the child toilet seat can pivot about the pivot axis and move along the translation axis, wherein the base member includes a step and the child toilet seat includes a lip, wherein the lip is engageable with the step when the child toilet seat is in the locked state, and wherein the lip is spaced apart from the step when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state.

3. A children's toilet seat assembly, comprising: a base member configured to be coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly having an adult toilet seat and a cover pivotably coupled to a hinge post; a child toilet seat comprising a support surface configured to support a person; a protrusion coupled to one of the base member and the child toilet seat; as well as a recess formed in the other of the base member and the child toilet seat; wherein the projection is received within the recess so that the child toilet seat can pivot relative to the base member about a pivot axis between an operating position and a storage position, and wherein the projection can slide within the recess between a locked state that inhibits movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member and an unlocked state that allows movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member, One of the protrusion and the recess includes a tab, wherein the other of the protrusion and the recess includes a notch, wherein when the child toilet seat is in the locked state, the tab is received in the notch, and wherein when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state, the tab is spaced apart from the notch.

4. A children's toilet seat assembly, comprising: a base member configured to be coupled to an adult toilet seat assembly having an adult toilet seat and a cover pivotably coupled to a hinge post; a child toilet seat comprising a support surface configured to support a person; a protrusion coupled to one of the base member and the child toilet seat; as well as a recess formed in the other of the base member and the child toilet seat; wherein the projection is received within the recess so that the child toilet seat can pivot relative to the base member about a pivot axis between an operating position and a storage position, and wherein the projection can slide within the recess between a locked state that inhibits movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member and an unlocked state that allows movement of the child toilet seat relative to the base member, wherein the base member includes a step and the child toilet seat includes a lip, wherein the lip is engageable with the step when the child toilet seat is in the locked state, and wherein the lip is spaced apart from the step when the child toilet seat is in the unlocked state.

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