Toilet seat hinge assembly

Abstract

This application provides a toilet seat hinge assembly. A hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including an extension arm and a hinge plate, the hinge plate being coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a recess in the toilet seat. The hinge plate extends between a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge having a reduced thickness relative to the rearward edge. The hinge plate includes an opening and a resiliently deformable tab extending within the opening and configured to engage a surface of a defined recess in the toilet seat assembly to retain the hinge plate within the recess.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 778,206, filed March 26, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a toilet seat hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat and a toilet seat cover, each of which is connected to the toilet seat hinge assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, this disclosure provides a hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising: an extension arm; and a hinge plate coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a recess of the toilet seat, the hinge plate extending between a forward edge and a rearward edge having a reduced thickness relative to the rearward edge, the hinge plate including an opening and a resiliently deformable tab extending within the opening and configured to engage a surface of the toilet seat assembly defining the recess to retain the hinge plate within the recess.

[0005] In another aspect, this disclosure provides a hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising: an extension arm; and a hinge plate coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a recess in the toilet seat, the hinge plate including a first edge and a second edge and a capture recess, the second edge being adjacent to the extension arm and opposite to the first edge, wherein the first edge is generally curved and tapered, the capture recess being formed at a location where the first edge and the second edge meet, the capture recess being configured to receive adhesive that displaces within the recess of the toilet seat during insertion of the hinge plate.

[0006] In another aspect, this disclosure provides a method for assembling a hinge assembly into a recess formed in a toilet seat cover or toilet seat, the hinge assembly including a hinge plate having an opening and a tab extending within the opening, the method comprising: applying an adhesive to at least one of the hinge plate and the recess; inserting the hinge plate into the recess such that the tab resiliently deforms against a surface of the recess; retaining the hinge plate within the recess via the tab; and displacing the adhesive around a forward edge of the hinge plate and into the opening. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of the toilet seat assembly.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Rear perspective view of the toilet seat assembly.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a pair of hinge components of a toilet seat assembly.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the hinge assembly.

[0012] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of a portion of the hinge assembly.

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the attachment arm of the hinge assembly.

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Top view of the attachment arm.

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional side view of the attachment arm.

[0016] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 Rear view of the toilet seat assembly.

[0017] Figure 10 It is located inside the toilet seat assembly. Figure 6 A top view of the cross-section of the attachment arm.

[0018] Figure 11 It is located inside the toilet seat assembly. Figure 6 A cross-sectional side view of the attachment arm.

[0019] Figure 12 It is used with Figure 1 A perspective view of another hinge component used in conjunction with the toilet seat assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Before explaining any embodiments of this disclosure in detail, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or shown in the following drawings. This disclosure can have other embodiments and can be practiced or performed in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting. Terms of degree such as “approximately,” “about,” and “approximately” are understood by those skilled in the art to refer to a reasonable range outside a given value, for example, general tolerances associated with the manufacture, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 A toilet seat assembly 10 is shown, having a toilet seat cover 200 and a toilet seat 300. The toilet seat cover 200 and the toilet seat 300 are connected to each other via at least one (e.g., two as shown) hinge assembly 100 and selectively coupled to a toilet bowl (e.g., an extendable toilet bowl, a round toilet bowl) via the hinge assembly 100 and fasteners (not shown). Figures 2-3 As shown, the toilet seat assembly 10 includes two hinge assemblies 100 that rotatably connect the toilet seat cover 200 and the toilet seat 300 to the toilet bowl via attachment arms 112 and 116, respectively. The attachment arms 112 and 116 each rotate about a pivot axis 128 (e.g., a common axis). Thus, the toilet seat assembly 10 includes a toilet seat cover 200, a toilet seat 300, and hinge assemblies 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the toilet seat assembly 10 includes two hinge assemblies 100; however, in other embodiments, the toilet seat assembly 10 may include only one hinge assembly. In other embodiments, the toilet seat assembly 10 may not include the toilet seat cover 200.

[0022] like Figures 9-11 As shown in more detail, each attachment arm 112, 116 extends into an opening or recess 204, 304 formed in the rear edges 208, 308 of the toilet seat 200 and toilet seat 300 (e.g., between the upper and lower sides). The illustrated toilet seat 200 includes two recesses 204 for receiving the two attachment arms 112, and the illustrated toilet seat 300 includes two recesses 304 for receiving the two attachment arms 116. In other embodiments, each of the toilet seat 200 and toilet seat 300 may include only a single recess 204, 304 (e.g., if the toilet seat assembly 10 includes only a hinge assembly 100).

[0023] like Figures 3-5As shown in more detail, each hinge assembly 100 includes a cover 104, a base 108, a cover attachment arm 112, and a seat attachment arm 116. The base 108 includes a foot 108A that rests on the toilet bowl and a hinge joint 108B extending upward and away from the foot 108A. The hinge joint 108B includes an opening defining a rotation axis 128 about which the cover 200 and seat 300 are rotatable relative to the toilet bowl. The rotation axis 128 (and thus the central axis of the opening of the hinge joint 108B) extends generally parallel to the rear edges 208, 308 of the cover 200 and seat 300. The foot 108A of the base 108 includes an opening (not shown) through which fasteners extend to engage the hinge assembly 100 to the toilet bowl. A cover 104 extends over at least a portion of a base 108 and includes a sleeve 104A configured to cover the fastener that attaches the hinge assembly 100 to the toilet bowl. The cover 104 further includes hinge joints 104B coaxial with the hinge joints 108B of the base 108 and the axis of rotation 128, such that the cover 104 is rotatable relative to the base 108 about the axis of rotation 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover includes two hinge joints 104B on either side of the hinge joints 108B, but in other embodiments, more or fewer hinge joints 104B may be used.

[0024] like Figure 5 As shown, with the cover 104 and base 108 removed, a hinge pin 130 is positioned within hinge joints 104B, 108B. The hinge pin 130 is generally cylindrical and centered on a rotation axis 128. In some embodiments, the hinge pin 130 may include one or more features such as friction or slow-closing hinge modules to control the rotational speed of the toilet seat 200 and / or seat 300 relative to the toilet bowl. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge pin 130 includes a key 132 (e.g., a bonding surface) that engages a bonding chamber 136 of one of the attachment arms 112, 116 (as shown, the cover attachment arm 112), such that rotation of the attachment arms 112, 116 causes rotation of at least the key 132 of the hinge pin 130. In some embodiments, both the cover attachment arm 112 and the seat attachment arm 116 include a bonding chamber 136 for receiving the mating key 132 of the hinge pin 130.

[0025] The cover attachment arm 112 and the seat attachment arm 116 are connected at opposite ends to the hinge pin 130 to rotate together with and / or relative to the hinge pin 130 about the axis of rotation 128. Hinge joints 104B, 108B are sandwiched between the two attachment arms 112, 116 and, in some embodiments, are held in place relative to the hinge pin 130 by the attachment arms 112, 116.

[0026] A cover attachment arm 112 extends from hinge pin 130 to cover 200. A seat attachment arm 116 extends from hinge pin 130 to seat 300. Each of the cover attachment arm 112 and seat attachment arm 116 includes an extension 118 and a hinge plate 120. The extension 118 includes a bonding chamber 136 and is an arm that extends from the rotation axis 128 and hinge pin 130 to the rearward edge of the respective cover 200 or seat 300. When the cover 200 is positioned on top of the seat 300, the extension 118 of the cover attachment arm 112 extends to the height above the extension 118 of the seat attachment arm 116. The hinge plate 120 is coupled to the distal end of the extension 118 (e.g., integrally formed with the distal end of the extension 118) and configured to be positioned within an opening or recess 204, 304 formed on the rear edges 208, 308 of the cover 200 or seat 300. In the illustrated embodiment, when installed, the entire hinge plate 120 is completely enclosed within the recesses 204, 304. The hinge assembly 100 is coupled (e.g., secured) to the hinge plate 120 of the attachment arms 112, 116.

[0027] Figure 5-8 Only a single attachment arm (i.e., cover attachment arm 112) is shown, and a description of the hinge plate 120 is provided with respect to the shown cover attachment arm 112. The hinge plate 120 of the seat attachment arm 116 is the same as that of the cover attachment arm 112, and the description of the hinge plate 120 applies to both. In some embodiments, the cover attachment arm 112 and the seat attachment arm 116 are identical, providing separate attachments to the cover 200 and the seat 300, respectively, only utilizing their mounting orientation. In other embodiments, the extensions 118 of the attachment arms 112, 116 (e.g., shape, design, attachment to the hinge pin 130) may differ from each other.

[0028] The hinge plate 120 is held within the recess 204 of the cover 200 by an adhesive such as glue. During assembly, the adhesive is applied to one or both of the recess 204 and the hinge plate 120. The hinge plate 120 is then positioned within the recess 204 and held in place until the adhesive dries. The hinge plate 120 includes several features that facilitate the displacement of the adhesive around the hinge plate 120 within the recess 204 during assembly and facilitate holding the hinge plate 120 in its proper position within the recess 204 as the adhesive cures.

[0029] The hinge plate 120 shown is generally D-shaped, having a curved forward edge 140 opposite to the rearward edge 142 connected to the extension 118. The shape of the rearward edge 142 corresponds to the shape of the rear edge 208 of the cover 200 at the recess 204. The thickness of the hinge plate 120 is less than the thickness of the toilet seat cover 200 so as to fit within the recess 204. The thickness of the hinge plate 120 is also variable, wherein the forward edge 140 of the hinge plate 120 has a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the hinge plate 120. Inserting the hinge plate 120 into the recess 204 causes most of the adhesive to shift against the inner wall of the recess 204 (i.e., into the recess, away from the rear edge 208). The reduced thickness at the forward edge 140 provides space for the adhesive to flow above and below the hinge plate 120 and away from the inner wall of the recess 204. Figure 8 and Figure 11 As shown, the forward edge 140 is also rounded, narrowing and tapering to a minimum thickness at the tip (the foremost edge) so that the adhesive turns around the hinge plate 120. The adhesive turns backward toward the opening 144.

[0030] Openings 144 (two openings as shown) are formed within the hinge plate 120, forming through openings that extend completely through the hinge plate 120 perpendicular to the D-shaped profile. In other embodiments, more or fewer openings 144 may be used (e.g., at least two). The openings 144 are positioned rearward of the forward edge 140 such that the reduced thickness of the forward edge 140 transitions directly to the openings 144. Thus, the adhesive flowing through the forward edge 140 within the recess 204 passes through the openings 144. As the adhesive hardens within the openings 144, adhesive bridges are formed through each opening 144, facilitating the securing of the hinge plate 120 within the recess 204. The rear side of the opening 144 (opposite to the forward edge 140) has a greater height than the forward edge, approximately the same as the height of the recess 204, to substantially inhibit the adhesive from extending rearward through the openings 144.

[0031] Fork feet 148A, 148B, or tabs, extend within opening 144, curving upward and downward respectively from a decreasing thickness at the front edge 140. In the illustrated embodiment, fork feet 148A, 148B are cantilever elements extending generally from the front edge 140 of hinge plate 120 toward the rear edge of hinge plate 120. Fork feet 148A, 148B may also be referred to as arms or fingers. As shown, the upwardly extending fork foot 148A extends upward from the front edge 140 within one opening of opening 144, terminating at a tip extending generally parallel to the through direction of opening 144. The downwardly extending fork foot 148B extends downward from the front edge 140 within the other opening 144, terminating at a tip extending generally parallel to the through direction of opening 144 but in the opposite direction to the tip of the upwardly extending fork foot 148A. The tips of fork feet 148A, 148B are relatively sharp. Figure 8 and Figure 11 As shown, the upward-extending fork 148A extends upward to define the highest height of the hinge plate 120 (i.e., perpendicular to the D-shaped profile and the direction of insertion into the recess 204). Similarly, the downward-extending fork 148B extends downward to define the lowest height of the hinge plate 120. Each of the forks 148A and 148B engages the surface of the cover 200 defining the recess 204 upon insertion to maintain a firm engagement between the hinge plate 120 and the recess 204 during assembly, thereby eliminating the need for an external clamp to hold the hinge plate 120 in place while the adhesive cures. In particular, the tips of the forks 148A and 148B can “bite” or pierce into the surface of the cover 200 defining the recess 204. The total height of the hinge plate 120 established by the forks 148A and 148B is greater than the height of the recess 204. Therefore, the fork feet 148A and 148B can elastically deform to fit into the recess 204 and maintain a firm engagement with the opposite wall of the recess 204.

[0032] An adhesive-capturing recess 152 is formed within the hinge plate 120, adjacent to the corner of the D-shaped profile (i.e., the location where the forward edge 140 meets the rearward edge). In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive-capturing recess 152 is formed within the curved forward edge 140, but on the rearward side of the reduced thickness portion. The adhesive-capturing recess 152 is formed as a recessed area along the forward edge 140, configured to receive adhesive displaced within the recess 204. The adhesive-capturing recess 152 introduces an additional surface area to which the adhesive can be secured. Additionally, the adhesive-capturing recess 152 captures adhesive that would otherwise be squeezed out of the recess 204 through the hinge plate 120. Therefore, post-assembly cleaning of extruded adhesive is limited by including the adhesive-capturing recess near the corner of the hinge plate 120.

[0033] Protrusions 156A, 156B, and 156C extend outward from the upper and lower surfaces of the hinge plate 120. A first outer protrusion 156A is located between an opening 144 and an adjacent adhesive-capturing recess 152. A second outer protrusion 156B, opposite to the first outer protrusion 156A, is located between another opening 144 and an adjacent adhesive-capturing recess 152. A central protrusion 156C is located between the two openings 144. Protrusions 156A, 156B, and 156C extend outward from the upper and lower surfaces along the entire height of the hinge plate 120 (i.e., not the portion where the height of the forward edge 140 decreases). Unlike the fork feet 148A and 148B, protrusions 156A, 156B, and 156C are not capable of significant plastic deformation. Thus, the height of the hinge plate 120 at the protrusions 156A, 156B, 156C (e.g., measured between the central protrusion 156C on the upper surface and the central protrusion 156C on the lower surface) is approximately the same as the height of the recess 204 to engage the top and bottom surfaces of the recess 204. In some embodiments, the height of the protrusions 156A, 156B, 156C may be slightly greater than the height of the recess 204 to create an interference fit. Therefore, the protrusions 156A, 156B, 156C help retain the hinge plate 120 within the recess 204 and further help ensure that the hinge plate 120 is inserted into the recess 204 at an appropriate angle (e.g., the D-shaped profile is approximately parallel to the upper surface of the cover 200).

[0034] like Figures 10-11 As shown in more detail, when the hinge plate 120 is positioned within the recess 204 of the cover 200, a gap 220 is formed between the forward edge 140 of the hinge plate 120 and the forward edge of the recess 204. The gap 220 is an adhesive gap in which some of the adhesive used to hold the hinge plate 120 within the recess 204 is retained. Therefore, inserting the hinge plate 120 into the recess 204 does not require displacing all the adhesive into the recess 204, which would otherwise be the case if the hinge plate 120 were sized and shaped to fill the recess 204. Instead, the gap 220 has a distance 216 (e.g., at least 10% of the depth of the recess 204 and at least 10% of the length of the hinge plate 120) providing space for adhesive filling. The gap 220 also provides a path to the adhesive-capturing recess 152, such as... Figure 10 As shown. The hinge plate 120 is positioned just behind the adhesive-capturing recess 152 of the cover 200 to prevent the adhesive from being squeezed out of the recess 204 of the cover 200.

[0035] In assembly, hinge assembly 100 is typically pre-assembled, but can be assembled using other methods by placing hinge joints 104B, 108B on hinge pin 130 and attaching cover attachment arm 112 and seat attachment arm 116 to opposite ends of hinge pin 130. In some embodiments, the assembly of attachment arms 112, 116 to the remainder of hinge assembly 100 may follow the assembly of attachment arms 112, 116 to cover 200 and seat 300. Adhesive is applied within the recess 204 of cover 200 and / or the hinge plate 120 of cover attachment arm 112. The hinge plate 120 of cover attachment arm 112 is positioned within the recess 204, thereby deforming the fork legs 148A, 148B inward upon insertion. During this insertion, the adhesive within the recess 204 extends across the forward edge 140 and into opening 144, and the adhesive captures the recess 152. The protrusions 156A, 156B, 156C and the forks 148A, 148B press against the opposite sides of the recess 152 to hold the hinge plate 120 within the recess 204 without the aid of external clamping pressure. This process is repeated to insert the hinge plate 120 of the seat attachment arm 116 into the corresponding recess 304 in the seat 300.

[0036] Figures 1-11 The focus is primarily on hinge plate 120, which has a generally D-shaped profile. In other embodiments, other hinge plates (such as...) Figure 12 The hinge plate 1120 shown has other profiles, such as a rectangular profile, a wavy profile, and a profile with a serrated geometry. Elements for facilitating the insertion and retention of the hinge plate 120 within the cover 200 and the seat 300, as well as for collecting excess adhesive, can be used in other hinge plates with other profiles. Figure 12 An example is shown where the hinge plate 1120 has a generally rectangular outline. The same elements are identified using the same reference numerals plus 1000.

[0037] like Figure 12As shown, each hinge plate 1120 is coupled to a corresponding one of the cover attachment arm 1112 and the seat attachment arm 1116 to connect the hinge plate 1120 to the base 1108 and the cover 1104. Similar to hinge plate 120, hinge plate 1120 extends between a rearward edge 1140 and a forward edge 1142, although the forward edge 1142 is generally parallel to the rearward edge 1140. An adhesive-catching recess 1152 is formed on a sidewall that connects the forward edge 1142 to the rearward edge 1140. The adhesive-catching recess 1152 is an inwardly extending cutout that deviates from the generally rectangular outline of hinge plate 120. An opening 1144 provides additional adhesive catching, and fork feet 1148A, 1148B, or tabs are positioned within the opening 1144, which also has a generally rectangular outline. Similar to hinge plate 120, hinge plate 1120 includes an upwardly extending fork 1148A and a downwardly extending fork 1148B to engage opposite sides of openings 204, 304. Lateral protrusions 1156A, 1156B extend upward and outward away from the body of hinge plate 1120 to further engage openings 204, 304.

[0038] The forward edge 1142 of the hinge plate 1120 includes a wavy pattern that increases in thickness relative to the rearward portion of the wavy pattern. Additionally, the protrusion 1164 extends outward away from the rest of the hinge plate 1120 (e.g., rearward of the wavy pattern, within the space defined by the wavy pattern). Thus, the overall forward edge defines a meandering channel within which the adhesive can flow and provide a strong attachment to the inner walls of the openings 204, 304.

[0039] Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising: Extended arm; as well as A hinge plate, connected to the extension arm and configured to extend into a recess in the toilet seat, the hinge plate extending between a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge having a reduced thickness relative to the rearward edge, the hinge plate comprising: Opening; as well as A resiliently deformable tab extends within the opening and is configured to engage the surface of the toilet seat assembly defining the recess to retain the hinge plate within the recess.

2. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The hinge plate has a generally D-shaped profile.

3. The hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The opening extends through the hinge plate perpendicular to the generally D-shaped profile.

4. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The hinge plate is configured to extend entirely within the recess of the toilet seat assembly.

5. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The opening is a first opening, and the resiliently deformable tab is a first resiliently deformable tab. The hinge plate further includes a second opening and a second resiliently deformable tab extending within the second opening, wherein the first resiliently deformable tab extends in a first direction, and the second resiliently deformable tab extends in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

6. The hinge assembly of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion formed on the hinge plate between the forward edge and the rearward edge, and configured to engage the surface of the recess of the toilet seat assembly.

7. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The forward edge of the hinge plate tapers to a minimum thickness.

8. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The elastically deformable tab has a sharp tip.

9. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The hinge plate further includes: a rearward edge adjacent to the extension arm; a forward edge opposite to the rearward edge; and a capture recess formed at the junction of the forward edge and the rearward edge, wherein the capture recess is configured to receive adhesive that shifts as the hinge plate is inserted into the recess of the toilet seat.

10. A hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising: Extended arm; as well as A hinge plate, the hinge plate being coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a recess in the toilet seat, the hinge plate comprising: A first edge and a second edge, the second edge being adjacent to the extended arm and opposite to the first edge, wherein the first edge is generally curved and tapered; as well as A capture recess is formed at the junction of the first edge and the second edge, and the capture recess is configured to receive adhesive that shifts within the recess of the toilet seat during insertion of the hinge plate.

11. The hinge assembly of claim 10, wherein, A gap is formed between the first edge of the hinge plate and the inner edge of the recess, and wherein an adhesive is received within the gap to secure the hinge plate within the recess.

12. The hinge assembly of claim 10, further comprising a protrusion formed on the hinge plate between the first edge and the second edge, and configured to engage the surface of the recess of the toilet seat.

13. The hinge assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The capture recess is a first capture recess, wherein the hinge plate includes a second capture recess formed on the opposite side of the hinge plate at the location where the first edge and the second edge meet, and wherein the second capture recess is also configured to receive adhesive that shifts within the recess of the toilet seat during insertion of the hinge plate.

14. The hinge assembly of claim 10, wherein, The capture recess includes a recessed area formed along the first edge of the hinge plate.

15. The hinge assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The capture recess is formed adjacent to the corner between the first edge and the second edge of the hinge plate.

16. A method of assembling a hinge assembly into a recess formed in a toilet seat cover or toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge plate having an opening and a tab extending within the opening, the method comprising: Apply adhesive to at least one of the hinge plate and the recess; The hinge plate is inserted into the recess, causing the protrusion to abut against the surface of the recess and deform elastically. The hinge plate is held within the recess via the tab; as well as The adhesive is displaced around the forward edge of the hinge plate and into the opening.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The hinge plate is held within the recess without external clamping.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, Displacement of the adhesive includes displacing the adhesive into the opening.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein, Inserting the hinge plate further includes forming a gap between the front edge of the hinge plate and the inner edge of the recess.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The adhesive can be received within the gap to secure the hinge plate within the recess.

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