Toilet seat and toilet device

Abstract

To provide a toilet seat and a toilet bowl device which are comfortable to sit on.SOLUTION: The toilet seat 1 includes a center hole 14, a first front curved part 11, a second front curved part 12, a front intermediate part 13, a first rear curved part 16, a second rear curved part 17, and a rear intermediate part 18. The radius of curvature of the convex surface 164 of the first rear curved portion 16 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex surface 114 of the first front curved portion 11. The radius of curvature of the second rear curved portion 174 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex surface 124 of the second front curved portion 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to toilet seats and toilet bowl systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Toilet devices with toilet seats have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of toilet seat typically includes an annular upper surface surrounding a central hole, an inner peripheral surface facing the central hole, and a convex curved surface connecting the upper surface and the inner peripheral surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-074252 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional technology had problems, particularly for women and other small users, in that their thighs were easily compressed when they placed themselves on the toilet seat, and their buttocks were easily pushed into the central hole when they placed themselves on the seat, leaving room for improvement in terms of comfort.

[0005] The problem that the present disclosure seeks to solve is to provide a toilet seat and toilet apparatus that is comfortable to sit on. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A toilet seat according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an annular toilet seat rotatably attached to a toilet bowl body, and includes a central hole, first and second front curved portions spaced apart on either side of a front portion of the central hole, a front intermediate portion connecting the first and second front curved portions, first and second rear curved portions spaced apart on either side of a rear portion of the central hole, and a rear intermediate portion connecting the first and second rear curved portions. Each of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, the front intermediate portion, the first rear curved portion, the second rear curved portion, and the rear intermediate portion has an upper surface, an inner surface facing the central hole, and a convex curved surface connecting the upper surface and the inner surface. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the first backward curved portion is smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the first forward curved portion located in front of it, and the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the second backward curved portion is smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the second forward curved portion located in front of it.

[0007] A toilet apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the toilet seat and the toilet body to which the toilet seat is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure has the effect of providing a toilet seat and toilet apparatus that are comfortable to sit on. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a toilet apparatus equipped with a toilet seat according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the toilet seat. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the toilet seat. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of a toilet apparatus equipped with a modified toilet seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. One embodiment (1) Overview FIG. 1 shows a toilet apparatus 9 equipped with a toilet seat 1 according to one embodiment.

[0011] The toilet apparatus 9 is installed on the floor of a toilet room, for example, and is used as a seat-type toilet bowl. In this disclosure, the up-down direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are defined based on the state in which the toilet apparatus 9 is installed on a horizontal floor. The up-down direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are directions that are perpendicular to each other.

[0012] The front-to-rear direction is defined based on a user seated on the toilet seat 1 of the toilet device 9. In the front-to-rear direction, the direction in which the toilet seat 1 in use is positioned relative to the cover 941 described below is the front, and the opposite is the rear.

[0013] The toilet device 9 includes a toilet body 92 and a toilet seat device 94 installed on the toilet body 92.

[0014] The toilet body 92 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is composed of multiple resin molded parts. The toilet body 92 has a bowl 920 that is open at the top. A drainage path 922 that leads to a drain pipe or the like is formed at the bottom of the bowl 920.

[0015] The toilet seat device 94 includes a toilet seat 1, a cover 941 to which the toilet seat 1 is rotatably connected, and a toilet lid 945. The detailed structure of the toilet seat 1 will be described later.

[0016] The cover 941 is provided at the rear of the toilet body 92 so as to protrude upward from the toilet body 92. The cover 941 houses a water supply device, a private parts cleansing device, a toilet lid drive device, a toilet seat drive device, a control unit, and the like, all of which are not shown.

[0017] The water supply device is a device that supplies cleansing water into bowl 920 to clean the inner surface of bowl 920. The private parts cleansing device is a device that sprays cleansing water toward the private parts of the user. The toilet lid drive device is a device that rotates toilet lid 945 relative to cover 941 to open and close toilet lid 945.

[0018] The toilet seat drive device is a device that rotates the toilet seat 1 relative to the cover 941, switching the toilet seat 1 between an in-use state and an in-use state. When the toilet seat 1 is in an in-use state, as shown in Figure 1, the main body of the toilet seat 1 is placed on the upper surface of the toilet body 92. In detail, the main body of the toilet seat 1 is placed on an annular area of ​​the upper surface of the toilet body 92 that surrounds the bowl 920. It is preferable that the area of ​​the upper surface of the toilet body 92 on which the toilet seat 1 is placed is horizontal.

[0019] The control unit has a processing device such as a CPU and a storage unit such as a memory, and is configured to control the water supply device, genital cleansing device, toilet lid drive device, toilet seat drive device, etc. according to the programs stored in the storage unit.

[0020] (2) Overall structure of the toilet seat The toilet seat 1 in one embodiment is rotatable relative to the cover 941 of the toilet seat device 94, that is, rotatable relative to the toilet body 92 on which the toilet seat device 94 is provided.

[0021] In the structure of the toilet seat 1 described below, the up-down direction, the front-back direction, and the left-right direction are defined based on when the toilet seat 1 is in use.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the toilet seat 1 has an annular outer shape with a central hole 14 that penetrates vertically. The central hole 14 has an oval outer shape that is long from front to back. The dimension of the central hole 14 in the front-to-back direction is greater than the dimension of the central hole 14 in the left-to-right direction. The radius of curvature of the front end portion of the central hole 14 is set to be smaller than the radius of curvature of the rear end portion of the central hole 14.

[0023] The toilet seat 1 is divided into a front portion 1A that constitutes the front portion of the toilet seat 1 and a rear portion 1B that constitutes the rear portion of the toilet seat 1. The front portion 1A has an arc-shaped outer shape that surrounds the front portion 140 of the central hole 14. The rear portion 1B has an arc-shaped outer shape that surrounds the rear portion 145 of the central hole 14.

[0024] The toilet seat 1 is made of resin and is hollow. The front portion 1A and the rear portion 1B of the toilet seat 1 are both hollow and communicate with each other.

[0025] (3) Front of the toilet seat The front portion 1A of the toilet seat 1 includes a first front curved portion 11, a second front curved portion 12, and a front intermediate portion 13. In Figure 2, these portions 11, 12, and 13 are shown with different hatching, but the boundaries here are merely an example and should not be interpreted as being limited to the range shown in the figure.

[0026] The first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12 are positioned at a distance to the left and right, sandwiching the front portion 140 of the central hole 14. The first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12 have shapes that are plane-symmetrical to each other with respect to an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0027] The first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12 are portions of the front portion 1A of the toilet seat 1 that have a smaller radius of curvature on the outer periphery and a larger radius of curvature on the inner periphery. The radius of curvature of the outer periphery of the first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the outer periphery of the front intermediate portion 13. The radius of curvature of the inner periphery of the first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12 is larger than the radius of curvature of the inner periphery of the front intermediate portion 13.

[0028] 2 and 3, the first front curved portion 11 has an upper surface 112, an inner surface 113 facing the central hole 14, a convex curved surface 114 connecting the upper surface 112 and the inner surface 113, an outer surface 115 facing away from the inner surface 113, and a bottom surface 116 facing away from the upper surface 112. The inner surface 113 is slightly inclined as a whole so that the upper portion is more distant from the center line extending vertically of the central hole 14.

[0029] 2 and 4, the second front curved portion 12 has an upper surface 122, an inner surface 123 facing the central hole 14, a convex curved surface 124 connecting the upper surface 122 and the inner surface 123, an outer surface 125 facing away from the inner surface 123, and a bottom surface 126 facing away from the upper surface 122. The inner surface 123 is slightly inclined as a whole so that the upper portion is more distant from the center line extending up and down of the central hole 14.

[0030] The front intermediate portion 13 has a shape that extends laterally so as to connect the first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the front intermediate portion 13 has an upper surface 132, an inner surface 133 facing the central hole 14, a convex curved surface 134 connecting the upper surface 132 and the inner surface 133, an outer surface 135 facing away from the inner surface 133, and a bottom surface 136 facing away from the upper surface 132. The upper surface 132 is inclined diagonally downward toward the front. The inner surface 133 is slightly inclined as a whole so that the upper portion is more distant from the center line extending up and down of the central hole 14.

[0031] (4) Rear of the toilet seat The rear portion 1B of the toilet seat 1 includes a first rear curved portion 16, a second rear curved portion 17, and a rear intermediate portion 18. In Figure 2, these portions 16, 17, and 18 are shown with different hatching, but the boundaries here are merely an example and should not be interpreted as being limited to the range shown in the figure.

[0032] The first and second backward curved portions 16 and 17 are positioned at a distance from each other on either side of the rear half of the central hole 14. The first and second backward curved portions 16 and 17 have shapes that are plane-symmetrical to each other with respect to an imaginary plane that is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0033] The first rear curved portion 16 and the second rear curved portion 17 are portions of the rear portion 1B of the toilet seat 1 that have a larger radius of curvature on the inner periphery than the other portions. The radius of curvature on the inner periphery of the first rear curved portion 16 and the second rear curved portion 17 is larger than the radius of curvature on the inner periphery of the rear intermediate portion 18.

[0034] 2 and 6, the first rear curved portion 16 has an upper surface 162, an inner surface 163 facing the central hole 14, a convex curved surface 164 connecting the upper surface 162 and the inner surface 163, an outer surface 165 facing away from the inner surface 163, and a bottom surface 166 facing away from the upper surface 162. The upper surface 162 is inclined so that the portion closer to the central hole 14 is positioned lower. The inner surface 163 is slightly inclined as a whole so that the upper portion is more distant from the center line extending up and down of the central hole 14.

[0035] 2 and 7, second rearward curved portion 17 has an upper surface 172, an inner surface 173 facing toward central hole 14, a convex curved surface 174 connecting upper surface 172 and inner surface 173, an outer surface 175 facing away from inner surface 173, and a bottom surface 176 facing away from upper surface 172. Upper surface 172 is inclined so that the portion closer to central hole 14 is positioned lower. Inner surface 173 is slightly inclined overall so that the upper portion is more distant from the center line extending vertically of central hole 14.

[0036] The rear intermediate portion 18 has a shape that extends left and right so as to connect the first rear curved portion 16 and the second rear curved portion 17. The rear intermediate portion 18 has an upper surface 182, an inner surface 183 facing the central hole 14, a convex curved surface 184 connecting the upper surface 182 and the inner surface 183, an outer surface 185 facing away from the inner surface 183, and a bottom surface 186 facing away from the upper surface 182. The upper surface 182 is inclined diagonally downward toward the front. The inner surface 183 is slightly inclined as a whole so that the upper portion is more distant from the center line extending up and down of the central hole 14.

[0037] A seating sensor (not shown) may be housed in the front portion 1A of the toilet seat 1. The seating sensor may be housed, for example, in both or one of the first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12. The seating sensor is, for example, a load sensor configured to be able to detect when a user sits down and leaves the seat.

[0038] It is also possible to define each portion 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18 of the toilet seat 1 at an angle based on the center point C1 of the central hole 14. Here, the center point C1 of the central hole 14 is a point located midway in the front-to-rear direction of an imaginary line segment that bisects the central hole 14 into left and right equal parts in a plan view. In this disclosure, a plan view refers to a view of the toilet seat 1 from above.

[0039] As an example, the boundary between the first forward curved portion 11 and the first backward curved portion 16 can be set at a position rotated clockwise by an angle ranging from 90 degrees to 115 degrees, with the part of the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 directly behind the center point C1 of the central hole 14 being set at 0 degrees.

[0040] The boundary between the first front curved portion 11 and the front intermediate portion 13 can be set at a position rotated clockwise by an angle within the range of 145 degrees to 155 degrees, with the part of the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 directly behind the center point C1 of the central hole 14 being set at 0 degrees.

[0041] The boundary between the second forward curved portion 12 and the second backward curved portion 17 can be set at a position rotated clockwise by an angle within the range of 245 degrees to 270 degrees, with the part of the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 directly behind the center point C1 of the central hole 14 being set at 0 degrees.

[0042] The boundary between the second front curved portion 12 and the front intermediate portion 13 can be set at a position rotated clockwise by an angle within the range of 205 degrees to 215 degrees, with the part of the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 directly behind the center point C1 of the central hole 14 being set at 0 degrees.

[0043] The boundary between the first rear curved portion 16 and the rear intermediate portion 18 can be set at a position rotated clockwise by an angle within the range of 35 to 50 degrees, with the part of the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 directly behind the center point C1 of the central hole 14 being set at 0 degrees.

[0044] The boundary between the second rear curved portion 17 and the rear intermediate portion 18 can be set at a position rotated clockwise by an angle within the range of 310 degrees to 325 degrees, with the part of the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 directly behind the center point C1 of the central hole 14 being set at 0 degrees.

[0045] (5)Top part The toilet seat 1 has an annular upper surface portion 2 that is positioned so as to completely surround the central hole 14. In other words, the upper surface portion 2 is the seating surface of the toilet seat 1 that is formed so as to surround the central hole 14.

[0046] The upper surface portion 2 includes the upper surface 112 of the first forward curved portion 11, the upper surface 122 of the second forward curved portion 12, the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13, the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16, the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17, and the upper surface 182 of the rear intermediate portion 18.

[0047] The entire upper surface portion 2 is smoothly continuous. That is, the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 is smoothly continuous with the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 located behind it. The upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 is smoothly continuous with the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 located behind it.

[0048] The upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13 is smoothly continuous with the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 and the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 located on either side thereof. The upper surface 182 of the rear intermediate portion 18 is smoothly continuous with the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 and the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 located on either side thereof.

[0049] The upper surface portion 2 preferably has a radius of curvature equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In other words, the upper surfaces 112, 122, 132, 162, 172, and 182 of the portions 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 18 included in the upper surface portion 2 preferably have a radius of curvature equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The radius of curvature here refers to the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 in a plan view; in other words, the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner surface portion 3, described below, in a plan view. The predetermined value can be set within a range of 125 mm to 600 mm, for example.

[0050] The upper surface portion 2 and the convexly curved surface portion 4 (described later) that is continuous with the upper surface portion 2 may be distinguished based on the radius of curvature. That is, the boundary between the continuous upper surface portion 2 and the convexly curved surface portion 4 may be, for example, a portion where the radius of curvature is a predetermined value. In this case, the upper surface portion 2 is a region where the radius of curvature is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the convexly curved surface portion 4 is a region where the radius of curvature is less than the predetermined value. The predetermined value may be set within a range of 30 mm to 125 mm, for example.

[0051] 2, in a plan view, the length L2 of the upper surface portion 2 in a direction perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 is greatest at the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 and the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12, at least in the front portion 1A of the toilet seat 1. It is also preferable that the length L2 of the upper surface portion 2 be greatest at the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 and the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12, throughout the entire toilet seat 1, including the front portion 1A and rear portion 1B.

[0052] (5-1) Height of top surface Of the upper surface portion 2, the height H16 (see Figure 6) of the end portion near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 is set lower than the height H11 (see Figure 3) of the end portion near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11.

[0053] The end of the upper surface 162 of the first backward curved portion 16 that is closest to the central hole 14 is the boundary portion with the convex curved surface 164 of the upper surface 162. The end of the upper surface 112 of the first forward curved portion 11 that is closest to the central hole 14 is the boundary portion with the convex curved surface 114 of the upper surface 112.

[0054] The difference between the height H16 and the height H11 is preferably within 10 mm, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0055] In addition, the height H16 of the end portion 2 near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 is set to be lower than the height H13 (see FIG. 5 ) of the end portion near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13. The end portion near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13 is the boundary portion with the convex curved surface 134 on the upper surface 132.

[0056] The difference between the height H16 and the height H13 is preferably within 10 mm, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0057] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the height of the end of the top surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 that is closer to the central hole 14 is set to be higher the further forward it is. The height of the end of the top surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 that is closer to the central hole 14 is set to be higher the further forward it is. In a predetermined continuous area from the first rear curved portion 16 to the first front curved portion 11, the height of the end of the top surface 2 that is closer to the central hole 14 changes continuously so that it is higher the further forward it is, but it may also change in steps so that it is higher the further forward it is.

[0058] The height of the end portion of the upper surface 112 of the first forward curved portion 11 near the central hole 14 may be set so that it is higher the further forward it is throughout the entire area, or it may be set so that it is higher the further forward it is up to a predetermined position and then lower the further forward it is after passing this predetermined position.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the first backward curved portion 16, the end of the top surface 162 of the first backward curved portion 16 that is closer to the central hole 14 is preferably located lower than the rest of the top surface 162. As shown in Figure 3, in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the first forward curved portion 11, the end of the top surface 112 of the first forward curved portion 11 that is closer to the central hole 14 is preferably located higher than the rest of the top surface 112.

[0060] Similarly, the height H17 (see Figure 7) of the end portion of the upper surface 2 near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 is set lower than the height H12 (see Figure 4) of the end portion of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 near the central hole 14.

[0061] The end of the upper surface 172 of the second back curved portion 17 that is closest to the central hole 14 is the boundary with the convex curved surface 174 of the upper surface 172. The end of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 that is closest to the central hole 14 is the boundary with the convex curved surface 124 of the upper surface 122.

[0062] The difference between the height H17 and the height H12 is preferably within 10 mm, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0063] In addition, the height H17 of the end portion 2 near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 is set lower than the height H13 of the end portion near the central hole 14 on the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13.

[0064] The difference between the height H17 and the height H13 is preferably within 10 mm, for example, but is not limited to this.

[0065] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the height of the end of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 that is closer to the central hole 14 is set to be higher the further forward it is. The height of the end of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 that is closer to the central hole 14 is set to be higher the further forward it is. In a predetermined continuous region from the second rear curved portion 17 to the second front curved portion 12, the height of the end of the upper surface 2 that is closer to the central hole 14 changes continuously so that it is higher the further forward it is, but it may also change in stages so that it is higher the further forward it is.

[0066] The height of the end portion of the upper surface 122 of the second forward curved portion 12 near the central hole 14 may be set so that it is higher the further forward it is throughout the entire area, or it may be set so that it is higher the further forward it is up to a predetermined position and then lower the further forward it is after passing this predetermined position.

[0067] As shown in Figure 7, in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the second backward curved portion 17, the end of the top surface 172 of the second backward curved portion 17 that is closer to the central hole 14 is located lower than the other parts of the top surface 172. As shown in Figure 4, in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the second forward curved portion 12, the end of the top surface 122 of the second forward curved portion 12 that is closer to the central hole 14 is located higher than the other parts of the top surface 122.

[0068] In one embodiment, the bottom surface portion 6 of the toilet seat 1, which will be described later, is placed directly on the horizontal upper surface of the toilet body 92, so that the height H16 of the first rear curved portion 16 matches the upper and lower thickness T16 at the end near the central hole 14 of the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16, and the height H11 of the first front curved portion 11 matches the upper and lower thickness T11 at the end near the central hole 14 of the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11.

[0069] In one embodiment, the vertical thickness T16 at the end of the upper surface 162 of the first backward curved portion 16 closest to the central hole 14 is set to be thinner than the vertical thickness T11 at the end of the upper surface 112 of the first forward curved portion 11 closest to the central hole 14. The difference between the thickness T16 and the thickness T11 is preferably, for example, within 10 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0070] In addition, the vertical thickness T16 of the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 at the end closest to the central hole 14 is set to be thinner than the vertical thickness T13 (see FIG. 5) of the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13 at the end closest to the central hole 14. The difference between the thickness T16 and the thickness T13 is preferably, for example, within 10 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0071] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the thickness of the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 at the end closer to the central hole 14 is set to be greater the further forward it is. The thickness of the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 at the end closer to the central hole 14 is set to be greater the further forward it is. In a predetermined continuous region from the first rear curved portion 16 to the first front curved portion 11, the thickness of the upper surface portion 2 at the end closer to the central hole 14 changes continuously so that it becomes thicker the further forward it is, but it may also change in stages so that it becomes thicker the further forward it is.

[0072] The thickness of the end of the upper surface 112 of the first forward curved portion 11 near the central hole 14 may be set to be thicker towards the front throughout the entire area, or may be set to be thicker towards the front up to a predetermined position and then thinner towards the front after passing this predetermined position.

[0073] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, it is preferable that the thickness of the upper surface portion 2 at the end closer to the central hole 14 be gradually increased in a continuous, predetermined range extending from the rear intermediate portion 18 through the first rear curved portion 16 and the first front curved portion 11 to the front intermediate portion 13. This change may be continuous or gradual. The thickness T18 at the end closer to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 182 of the rear intermediate portion 18 is thinner than the thickness T16 at the end closer to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16, and the thickness T16 at the end closer to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 is thinner than the thickness T11 at the end closer to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11.

[0074] In one embodiment, the bottom surface 6 of the toilet seat 1 (described later) is placed directly on the horizontal upper surface of the toilet body 92, so the height H17 of the second rear curved portion 17 matches the thickness T17 of the top and bottom of the end of the second rear curved portion 17 that is closest to the central hole 14. The height H12 of the second front curved portion 12 matches the thickness T12 of the top and bottom of the end of the second front curved portion 12 that is closest to the central hole 14.

[0075] In one embodiment, the thickness T17 of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 at the end closest to the central hole 14 is set to be thinner than the thickness T12 of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 at the end closest to the central hole 14. The difference between the thickness T17 and the thickness T12 is preferably, for example, within 10 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0076] In addition, the vertical thickness T17 at the end of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 near the central hole 14 is set to be thinner than the vertical thickness T13 at the end of the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13 near the central hole 14. The difference between the thickness T17 and the thickness T13 is preferably, for example, within 10 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0077] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the thickness of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 at the end closer to the central hole 14 is set to be thicker the further forward it is. The thickness of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 at the end closer to the central hole 14 is set to be thicker the further forward it is. In a predetermined continuous region from the second rear curved portion 17 to the second front curved portion 12, the thickness of the upper surface portion 2 at the end closer to the central hole 14 changes continuously so that it becomes thicker the further forward it is, but it may also change in stages so that it becomes thicker the further forward it is.

[0078] The thickness of the upper surface 122 of the second forward curved portion 12 at the end near the central hole 14 may be set to be thicker towards the front throughout the entire area, or may be set to be thicker towards the front up to a predetermined position and then thinner towards the front after passing this predetermined position.

[0079] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, it is preferable that the thickness of the upper surface portion 2 at the end closest to the central hole 14 be gradually increased in a continuous, predetermined range extending from the rear intermediate portion 18 through the second rear curved portion 17 and the second front curved portion 12 to the front intermediate portion 13. This change may be continuous or gradual. The thickness T18 at the end closest to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 182 of the rear intermediate portion 18 is thinner than the thickness T17 at the end closest to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17, and the thickness T17 at the end closest to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 is thinner than the thickness T12 at the end closest to the central hole 14 of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12.

[0080] The thicknesses T11, T12, T13, T16, T17, and T18 are based on the bottom surface 6 of the toilet seat 1. As will be described later with reference to Figure 12, if the toilet seat 1 includes legs 19, the bottom surfaces of the legs 19 will be the reference for the thickness.

[0081] (5-2) Slope of the top surface It is preferable that at least a portion of the front region 20 of the upper surface portion 2 includes an inclined surface 23 that slopes downward toward the outer peripheral edge 10 (see FIG. 2) of the toilet seat 1. Here, region 20 is an area that is made up of the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11, the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12, and the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13. It is preferable that the inclined surface 23 has an inclination of 6 degrees or less with respect to an imaginary horizontal plane.

[0082] 2 and 9, in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, the upper surface 112 of the first forward curved portion 11 includes an inclined surface 23 that slopes downward toward the outer peripheral edge 10. The inclined surface 23 here is inclined so that the further away from the central hole 14 in the front-rear direction the lower it is located.

[0083] 2 and 10, in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 includes an inclined surface 23 that slopes downward toward the outer peripheral edge 10. The inclined surface 23 here is inclined so that the further away from the central hole 14 in the front-rear direction it is located, the lower it becomes.

[0084] 2 and 3, in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the first front curved portion 11, the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 includes an inclined surface 23 that slopes downward toward the outer peripheral edge 10. This inclined surface 23 is inclined so that the further away from the central hole 14 the portion, the lower the position.

[0085] 2 and 4, in a longitudinal cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the second front curved portion 12, the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 includes an inclined surface 23 that slopes downward toward the outer peripheral edge 10. This inclined surface 23 is inclined so that the further away from the central hole 14 the portion, the lower the position.

[0086] 2 and 5, even in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the front intermediate portion 13, the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13 includes an inclined surface 23 that slopes downward toward the outer peripheral edge 10. This inclined surface 23 is inclined so that the further away from the central hole 14 the portion, the lower the position.

[0087] (6)Inner surface part The toilet seat 1 has an inner surface portion 3 facing the central hole 14. The inner surface portion 3 is positioned so as to surround the central hole 14 over the entire periphery.

[0088] The inner surface portion 3 includes the inner surface 113 of the first forward curved portion 11, the inner surface 123 of the second forward curved portion 12, the inner surface 133 of the front intermediate portion 13, the inner surface 163 of the first rear curved portion 16, the inner surface 173 of the second rear curved portion 17, and the inner surface 183 of the rear intermediate portion 18.

[0089] The entire inner surface portion 3 is smoothly continuous. That is, the inner surface 113 of the first front curved portion 11 is smoothly continuous with the inner surface 163 of the first backward curved portion 16 located behind it. The inner surface 123 of the second front curved portion 12 is smoothly continuous with the inner surface 173 of the second backward curved portion 17 located behind it.

[0090] The inner surface 133 of the front intermediate portion 13 is smoothly continuous with the inner surfaces 113 of the first front curved portion 11 and the inner surfaces 123 of the second front curved portion 12 located on both the left and right sides thereof. The inner surface 183 of the rear intermediate portion 18 is smoothly continuous with the inner surfaces 163 of the first rear curved portion 16 and the inner surfaces 173 of the second rear curved portion 17 located on both the left and right sides thereof.

[0091] (7) Convex curved part The toilet seat 1 has a convex curved surface portion 4 located inside the annular upper surface portion 2. The convex curved surface portion 4 is located so as to surround the entire periphery of the central hole 14.

[0092] The convex curved surface portion 4 includes the convex curved surface 114 of the first forward curved portion 11, the convex curved surface 124 of the second forward curved portion 12, the convex curved surface 134 of the front intermediate portion 13, the convex curved surface 164 of the first rear curved portion 16, the convex curved surface 174 of the second rear curved portion 17, and the convex curved surface 184 of the rear intermediate portion 18.

[0093] The entire convex curved surface portion 4 is smoothly continuous. That is, the convex curved surface 114 of the first front curved portion 11 is smoothly continuous with the convex curved surface 164 of the first rear curved portion 16 located behind it. The convex curved surface 124 of the second front curved portion 12 is smoothly continuous with the convex curved surface 174 of the second rear curved portion 17 located behind it.

[0094] The convex curved surface 134 of the front intermediate portion 13 is smoothly continuous with the convex curved surface 114 of the first front curved portion 11 and the convex curved surface 124 of the second front curved portion 12 located on both sides thereof. The convex curved surface 184 of the rear intermediate portion 18 is smoothly continuous with the convex curved surface 164 of the first rear curved portion 16 and the convex curved surface 174 of the second rear curved portion 17 located on both sides thereof.

[0095] (7-1) Radius of curvature of convex curved surface The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 is not uniform around the entire circumference. In the present disclosure, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 is the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the toilet seat 1 in a plan view, in other words, the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner surface portion 3 of the toilet seat 1 in a plan view.

[0096] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the radii of curvature of the convex curved surfaces 164, 174 of the first rear curved portion 16 and the second rear curved portion 17 are set to be smaller than the radii of curvature of the convex curved surfaces 114, 124 of the first front curved portion 11 and the second front curved portion 12.

[0097] That is, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 164 of the first backward curved portion 16 is set smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 114 of the first front curved portion 11 located in front of it. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 174 of the second backward curved portion 17 is set smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 124 of the second front curved portion 12 located in front of it.

[0098] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 is set so that the radius of curvature gradually increases toward the front of the first rear curved portion 16, and the radius of curvature of the first front curved portion 11 is also set so that the radius of curvature gradually increases toward the front of the first front curved portion 11. The radius of curvature of the first front curved portion 11 is larger than the radius of curvature of the first rear curved portion 16. In this disclosure, the term "gradually increasing" includes the meanings of increasing continuously and increasing stepwise. In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 changes continuously over a predetermined range extending from the first rear curved portion 16 to the first front curved portion 11, increasing toward the front of the first front curved portion. Alternatively, the radius of curvature may change stepwise, increasing toward the front of the first front curved portion.

[0099] Similarly, in one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 is set so that the radius of curvature gradually increases toward the front in the second rear curved portion 17, and the radius of curvature of the second front curved portion 12 is also set so that the radius of curvature gradually increases toward the front. The radius of curvature of the second front curved portion 12 is larger than the radius of curvature of the second rear curved portion 17. In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 changes continuously over a predetermined continuous range from the second rear curved portion 17 to the second front curved portion 12, so that it increases toward the front, but it may also change stepwise so that it increases toward the front.

[0100] In one embodiment of the toilet seat 1, it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 changes so that it becomes larger toward the front in a continuous predetermined range from the rear intermediate portion 18 through the first rear curved portion 16 and the first front curved portion 11 to the front intermediate portion 13. This change may be continuous or may be a step-by-step change.

[0101] It is also preferable that the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 change so that it becomes larger toward the front in a predetermined continuous range from the rear intermediate portion 18 through the second rear curved portion 17 and the second front curved portion 12 to the front intermediate portion 13. The change here may be continuous or may be stepwise.

[0102] (8) External surface part The toilet seat 1 has an outer surface portion 5 facing away from the inner surface portion 3.

[0103] The outer surface portion 5 includes the outer surface 115 of the first forward curved portion 11, the outer surface 125 of the second forward curved portion 12, the outer surface 135 of the front intermediate portion 13, the outer surface 165 of the first rear curved portion 16, the outer surface 175 of the second rear curved portion 17, and the outer surface 185 of the rear intermediate portion 18.

[0104] The outer surface portion 5 is smoothly continuous throughout. That is, the outer surface 115 of the first front curved portion 11 is smoothly continuous with the outer surface 165 of the first backward curved portion 16 located behind it. The outer surface 125 of the second front curved portion 12 is smoothly continuous with the outer surface 175 of the second backward curved portion 17 located behind it. The outer surface 135 of the front intermediate portion 13 is smoothly continuous with the outer surfaces 115 of the first front curved portion 11 and the outer surfaces 125 of the second front curved portion 12 located on both the left and right sides thereof.

[0105] (9) Bottom part The toilet seat 1 comprises a bottom surface 6 facing away from the top surface 2 (see FIG. 11).

[0106] The bottom surface portion 6 includes the bottom surface 116 of the first forward curved portion 11, the bottom surface 126 of the second forward curved portion 12, the bottom surface 136 of the front intermediate portion 13, the bottom surface 166 of the first rear curved portion 16, the bottom surface 176 of the second rear curved portion 17, and the bottom surface 186 of the rear intermediate portion 18.

[0107] The entire bottom surface portion 6 is smoothly continuous. That is, the bottom surface 116 of the first front curved portion 11 is smoothly continuous with the bottom surface 166 of the first backward curved portion 16 located behind it. The bottom surface 126 of the second front curved portion 12 is smoothly continuous with the bottom surface 176 of the second backward curved portion 17 located behind it.

[0108] The bottom surface 136 of the front intermediate section 13 is smoothly continuous with the bottom surface 116 of the first front curved section 11 and the bottom surface 126 of the second front curved section 12 located on either side of it. The bottom surface 186 of the rear intermediate section 18 is smoothly continuous with the bottom surface 166 of the first rear curved section 16 and the bottom surface 176 of the second rear curved section 17 located on either side of it.

[0109] The front region 60 of the bottom surface portion 6 is formed of a flat surface. Here, region 60 is a region formed by the bottom surface 116 of the first front curved portion 11, the bottom surface 126 of the second front curved portion 12, and the bottom surface 136 of the front intermediate portion 13. It is preferable that the flat surface of region 60 is horizontal in use. That is, it is preferable that the bottom surface 136 of the front intermediate portion 13 is horizontal in use, the bottom surface 116 of the first front curved portion 11 is horizontal in use, and the bottom surface 126 of the second front curved portion 12 is horizontal in use. Region 60 of the bottom surface portion 6 may also include a slightly curved surface.

[0110] 2. Variations The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure, and various modifications can be made to the above embodiment.

[0111] Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. In the description of the modifications, the same components as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. The various modifications listed below can be applied in appropriate combination.

[0112] Figure 12 shows a modified example of the toilet apparatus 9 of one embodiment. In this modified example, the toilet seat 1 further includes legs 19. The legs 19 protrude downward from the bottom surface 6 of the toilet seat 1. The toilet seat 1 is provided with a plurality of legs 19 spaced apart in the circumferential direction surrounding the central hole 14. When the toilet seat 1 is in use, each of the plurality of legs 19 rests on the upper surface of the toilet body 92, and the bottom surface 6 of the toilet seat 1 is positioned at a distance from the upper surface of the toilet body 92.

[0113] In this modification, the vertical thickness of each point on the upper surface 2 of the toilet seat 1 is defined based on the bottom surface of the legs 19. The height of each point on the upper surface 2 of the toilet seat 1 is defined as the height when the toilet seat 1 with multiple legs 19 is placed on the toilet body 92 in use.

[0114] Even in this modified example, it is preferable that the thickness of each part of the upper surface 2 of the toilet seat 1, the height of each part of the upper surface 2 of the toilet seat 1, and the inclination of the upper surface 2 of the toilet seat 1 satisfy the conditions described above in one embodiment.

[0115] In other words, even if the toilet seat 1 includes the legs 19, it is preferable that when the toilet seat 1 is in use, at least a portion of the front region 20 of the upper surface 2 includes an inclined surface 23 that slopes downward toward the outer periphery 10 of the toilet seat 1. It is preferable that the inclined surface 23 has an inclination of 6 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0116] Even when the toilet seat 1 includes the legs 19, it is preferable that the thickness T16 of the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 be thinner than the thickness T11 of the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 when the toilet seat 1 is in use, and that the difference between the thicknesses T16 and T11 be within 10 cm. Also, even when the toilet seat 1 includes the legs 19, it is preferable that the height H16 of the upper surface 162 of the first rear curved portion 16 be lower than the height H11 of the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 when the toilet seat 1 is in use, and that the difference between the heights H16 and H11 be within 10 cm.

[0117] Even when the toilet seat 1 includes the legs 19, it is preferable that the thickness T17 of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 be lower than the thickness T12 of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 when the toilet seat 1 is in use, and that the difference between the thicknesses T17 and T12 be within 10 cm. Also, even when the toilet seat 1 includes the legs 19, it is preferable that the height H17 of the upper surface 172 of the second rear curved portion 17 be lower than the height H12 of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 when the toilet seat 1 is in use, and that the difference between the heights H17 and H12 be within 10 cm.

[0118] In one embodiment, the toilet body 92 and cover 941 are made of synthetic resin, but there are no particular restrictions on the materials used, and the toilet body 92 and cover 941 may be made of ceramic, for example.

[0119] At least a part of the region 20 of the upper surface portion 2 may be horizontal. That is, it is preferable that at least a part of the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11 is horizontal, that at least a part of the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 is horizontal, or that at least a part of the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13 is horizontal.

[0120] When the upper surface 112 of the first front curved portion 11, the upper surface 122 of the second front curved portion 12 and the upper surface 132 of the front intermediate portion 13 all include horizontal surfaces, these horizontal surfaces may be continuous with each other or may be located apart from each other.

[0121] The term "horizontal" in this disclosure is not limited to horizontal in the strict sense, but includes what is considered horizontal in the art, in other words, includes the case of being approximately horizontal. The horizontal portion of region 20 of upper surface portion 2 does not have to be strictly flat, and may include a slightly curved surface.

[0122] In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion 4 is set to gradually increase toward the front in both a predetermined range of regions continuing from the first rear curved portion 16 to the first front curved portion 11 and a predetermined range of regions continuing from the second rear curved portion 17 to the second front curved portion 12, but is not limited to this and, for example, the radius of curvature may be set to a constant value in these regions.

[0123] In one embodiment, the inclined surface 23 included in the upper surface portion 2 is set to have an inclination of 6 degrees or less, but this is not limited to this, and in some cases the inclined surface 23 may be set to have an inclination of 4 degrees or less, or the inclined surface 23 may be set to have an inclination of 8 degrees or less.

[0124] 3. Summary As explained based on the above embodiment and modified examples, the toilet seat (1) of the first aspect is an annular toilet seat (1) rotatably attached to the toilet body (92), and includes a central hole (14), a first front curved portion (11), a second front curved portion (12), a front intermediate portion (13), a first rear curved portion (16), a second rear curved portion (17), and a rear intermediate portion (18). The first front curved portion (11) and the second front curved portion (12) are located at a distance on the left and right sides of the front portion (140) of the central hole (14). The front intermediate portion (13) connects the first front curved portion (11) and the second front curved portion (12). The first rear curved portion (16) and the second rear curved portion (17) are located at a distance on the left and right sides of the rear portion (145) of the central hole (14). A rear intermediate section (18) connects the first rear curved section (16) and the second rear curved section (17).

[0125] Each of the first forward curved portion (11), the second forward curved portion (12), the forward intermediate portion (13), the first rear curved portion (16), the second rear curved portion (17) and the rear intermediate portion (18) has an upper surface (112, 122, 132, 162, 172, 182), an inner surface (113, 123, 133, 163, 173, 183) facing the central hole (14), and a convex curved surface (114, 124, 134, 164, 174, 184) connecting the upper surface (112, 122, 132, 162, 172, 182) and the inner surface (113, 123, 133, 163, 173, 183).

[0126] The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 164 of the first backward curved portion 16 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 114 of the first forward curved portion 11 located in front of it. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 174 of the second backward curved portion 17 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 124 of the second forward curved portion 12 located in front of it.

[0127] As described in the embodiment, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 164 of the first rear curved portion 16 is the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the first rear curved portion 16 in a plan view. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 114 of the first front curved portion 11 is the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the first front curved portion 11 in a plan view. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 174 of the second rear curved portion 17 is the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the second rear curved portion 17 in a plan view. The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 124 of the second front curved portion 12 is the radius of curvature in a cross section perpendicular to the inner peripheral edge of the second front curved portion 12 in a plan view.

[0128] According to this aspect, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surfaces (164, 174) of the first rear curved portion (16) and the second rear curved portion (17), on which the user's buttocks rest, is relatively small, thereby preventing the user's buttocks from falling into the central hole (14). In addition, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surfaces (114, 124) of the first front curved portion (11) and the second front curved portion (12), on which the user's thighs rest, is relatively large and the curve is gentle, thereby preventing the user's thighs from being compressed. Therefore, according to this aspect, a toilet seat (1) that is comfortable for users to sit on can be provided, and a toilet seat (1) that is particularly comfortable for users with small bodies, such as women, can be provided.

[0129] In the toilet seat (1) of the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the toilet seat (1) comprises an upper surface portion (2) and a convex curved surface portion (4). The upper surface portion (2) includes upper surfaces (112, 122, 132, 162, 172, 182) of the first front curved portion (11), the second front curved portion (12), the front intermediate portion (13), the first rear curved portion (16), the second rear curved portion (17), and the rear intermediate portion (18), respectively. The convex curved surface portion (4) includes convex curved surfaces (114, 124, 134, 164, 174, 184) of the first front curved portion (11), the second front curved portion (12), the front intermediate portion (13), the first rear curved portion (16), the second rear curved portion (17), and the rear intermediate portion (18), respectively.

[0130] The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion (4) gradually increases from the first rear curved portion (16) to the first front curved portion (11) located in front of it, and gradually increases from the second rear curved portion (17) to the second front curved portion (12) located in front of it. At least a portion of the region (20) of the upper surface portion (2) formed by the upper surfaces (112, 122, 132) of the first front curved portion (11), the second front curved portion (12), and the front intermediate portion (13) includes an inclined surface (23) that slopes downward toward the outer circumferential edge (10) of the toilet seat (1).

[0131] According to this embodiment, the toilet seat (1) is provided with a downwardly sloping inclined surface (23), which prevents the user's buttocks from falling into the central hole (14) and also prevents the user's thighs from being pressed.

[0132] In the toilet seat (1) of the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, the inclined surface (23) has an inclination of 6 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0133] According to this embodiment, the inclined surface (23) is set to a moderate inclination, thereby appropriately preventing the user's buttocks from falling into the central hole (14) and preventing the user's thighs from being compressed.

[0134] In the toilet seat (1) of the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the height (H16) of the end portion of the upper surface (162) of the first rear curved portion (16) that is close to the central hole (14) is lower than the height (H13) of the end portion of the upper surface (132) of the front intermediate portion (13) that is close to the central hole (14). The height (H17) of the end portion of the upper surface (172) of the second rear curved portion (17) that is close to the central hole (14) is lower than the height (H13) of the end portion of the upper surface (132) of the front intermediate portion (13) that is close to the central hole (14).

[0135] According to this embodiment, the user can stably place his or her buttocks on the rear part of the toilet seat (1).

[0136] In the toilet seat (1) of the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the difference between the height (H16) of the end portion of the upper surface (162) of the first rear curved portion (16) closest to the central hole (14) and the height (H13) of the end portion of the front intermediate portion (13) closest to the central hole (14) is within 10 mm. The difference between the height (H17) of the end portion of the upper surface (172) of the second rear curved portion (17) closest to the central hole (14) and the height (H13) of the end portion of the front intermediate portion (13) closest to the central hole (14) is within 10 mm.

[0137] According to this embodiment, the user can rest his or her buttocks on the rear part of the toilet seat (1) with a moderate degree of stability.

[0138] In the toilet seat (1) of the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the vertical thickness (T16) of the upper surface (162) of the first rear curved portion (16) at an end portion close to the central hole (14) is thinner than the vertical thickness (T13) of the upper surface (132) of the front intermediate portion (13) at an end portion close to the central hole (14). The vertical thickness (T17) of the upper surface (172) of the second rear curved portion (17) at an end portion close to the central hole (14) is thinner than the vertical thickness (T13) of the upper surface (132) of the front intermediate portion (13) at an end portion close to the central hole (14).

[0139] According to this embodiment, the user can stably place his or her buttocks on the rear part of the toilet seat (1).

[0140] In the toilet seat (1) of the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the difference between the vertical thickness (T16) of the upper surface (162) of the first rear curved portion (16) at the end closest to the central hole (14) and the vertical thickness (T13) of the upper surface (132) of the front intermediate portion (13) at the end closest to the central hole (14) is within 10 mm. The difference between the vertical thickness (T17) of the upper surface (172) of the second rear curved portion (17) at the end closest to the central hole (14) and the vertical thickness (T13) of the upper surface (132) of the front intermediate portion (13) at the end closest to the central hole (14) is within 10 mm.

[0141] According to this embodiment, the user can rest his or her buttocks on the rear part of the toilet seat (1) with a moderate degree of stability.

[0142] In the toilet seat (1) of the eighth aspect, in the first aspect, the toilet seat (1) has a convex curved surface portion (4). The convex curved surface portion (4) includes convex curved surfaces (114, 124, 134, 164, 174, 184) of the first front curved portion (11), the second front curved portion (12), the front intermediate portion (13), the first rear curved portion (16), the second rear curved portion (17), and the rear intermediate portion (18).

[0143] The radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion (4) gradually increases from the first rear curved portion (16) to the first front curved portion (11) located in front of it, and gradually increases from the second rear curved portion (17) to the second front curved portion (12) located in front of it. At least a portion of the region (20) formed by the upper surfaces (112, 122, 132) of the first front curved portion (11), the second front curved portion (12), and the front intermediate portion (13) is horizontal.

[0144] According to this embodiment, the user's buttocks are prevented from dropping into the central hole (14), and pressure on the user's thighs is also prevented.

[0145] In the toilet seat (1) of the ninth aspect, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the toilet seat (1) comprises an upper surface portion (2) and an inner surface portion (3). The upper surface portion (2) includes upper surfaces (112, 122, 132, 162, 172, 182) of the first front curved portion (11), the second front curved portion (12), the front intermediate portion (13), the first rear curved portion (16), the second rear curved portion (17), and the rear intermediate portion (18). The inner surface portion (3) includes inner surfaces (113, 123, 133, 163, 173, 183) of the first front curved portion (11), the second front curved portion (12), the front intermediate portion (13), the first rear curved portion (16), the second rear curved portion (17), and the rear intermediate portion (18). In a plan view, the length of the upper surface portion (2) in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface portion (3) is at its maximum length (L2) on the upper surface (112) of the first front curved portion (11) and the upper surface (122) of the second front curved portion (12).

[0146] According to this embodiment, the user can stably place his / her thighs on the front part of the toilet seat (1).

[0147] The toilet apparatus (9) of the tenth aspect includes the toilet seat (1) of any one of the first to ninth aspects, and a toilet body (92) to which the toilet seat (1) is attached.

[0148] According to this aspect, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surfaces (164, 174) of the first rear curved portion (16) and the second rear curved portion (17) of the toilet seat (1) is relatively small, which prevents the user's buttocks from falling into the central hole (14). In addition, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surfaces (114, 124) of the first front curved portion (11) and the second front curved portion (12) is relatively large, which prevents the user's thighs from being pressed. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to provide a toilet apparatus (9) equipped with a toilet seat (1) that is comfortable for users to sit on, and in particular, a toilet apparatus (9) equipped with a toilet seat (1) that is comfortable for users with small bodies, such as women. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1 toilet seat 10 outer edge 11 First forward curved section 112 Top surface 113 Inner surface 114 Convex curved surface 12 Second forward curved section 122 Top 123 Inner surface 124 Convex curved surface 13 Front middle section 132 Top surface 133 Inner surface 134 Convex curved surface 14 Central hole 140 front 145 rear 16 First rear curve 162 Top surface 163 Inner surface 164 Convex curved surface 17 Second rear curve 172 Top surface 173 Inner surface 174 Convex curved surface 18 Posterior middle part 182 Top surface 183 Inner surface 184 Convex curved surface 2 Top part 20 areas 23 Slope 3 Inner side 4 Convex curved part 9 Toilet equipment 92 Toilet bowl H13 height H16 height H17 Height T13 Thickness T16 thickness T17 Thickness L2 length

Claims

1. An annular toilet seat that is rotatably attached to a toilet body, A central hole; a first forward curved portion and a second forward curved portion positioned at a distance from each other on either side of the front portion of the central hole; a front intermediate portion connecting the first front curved portion and the second front curved portion; a first rearward curved portion and a second rearward curved portion positioned at a distance from each other on either side of the rear portion of the central hole; a rear intermediate portion connecting the first rear curved portion and the second rear curved portion, each of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, the front intermediate portion, the first rear curved portion, the second rear curved portion, and the rear intermediate portion has an upper surface, an inner surface facing the central hole, and a convex curved surface connecting the upper surface and the inner surface; a radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the first backward curved portion is smaller than a radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the first forward curved portion located in front of the first backward curved portion; a radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the second backward curved portion is smaller than a radius of curvature of the convex curved surface of the second forward curved portion located in front of the second backward curved portion; toilet seat.

2. The toilet seat is an upper surface portion including the upper surfaces of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, the front intermediate portion, the first rear curved portion, the second rear curved portion, and the rear intermediate portion; a convex curved surface portion including the convex curved surface of each of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, the front intermediate portion, the first rear curved portion, the second rear curved portion, and the rear intermediate portion, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion gradually changes from the first backward curved portion to the first forward curved portion located in front of it so as to become larger toward the front portion, and from the second backward curved portion to the second forward curved portion located in front of it so as to become larger toward the front portion, At least a part of the region of the upper surface portion formed by the upper surfaces of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, and the front intermediate portion includes an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the outer periphery of the toilet seat. The toilet seat of claim 1.

3. The inclined surface has an inclination of 6 degrees or less with respect to a horizontal plane. The toilet seat of claim 2.

4. a height of an end portion of the upper surface of the first rear curved portion that is closer to the central hole is lower than a height of an end portion of the upper surface of the front intermediate portion that is closer to the central hole; a height of an end portion of the upper surface of the second rear curved portion that is closer to the central hole is lower than a height of an end portion of the upper surface of the front intermediate portion that is closer to the central hole; The toilet seat of claim 1.

5. a difference in height between the end of the upper surface of the first rear curved portion that is close to the central hole and the end of the front intermediate portion that is close to the central hole is within 10 mm; a difference in height between the end of the upper surface of the second rear curved portion that is close to the central hole and the end of the front intermediate portion that is close to the central hole is within 10 mm; The toilet seat of claim 4.

6. a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the first rear curved portion at an end portion close to the central hole is thinner than a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the front intermediate portion at an end portion close to the central hole; a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the second rearward curved portion at an end portion close to the central hole is thinner than a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the front intermediate portion at an end portion close to the central hole; The toilet seat of claim 1.

7. a difference between a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the first rear curved portion at the end portion close to the central hole and a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the front intermediate portion at the end portion close to the central hole is within 10 mm; a difference between a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the second rearward curved portion at the end portion close to the central hole and a vertical thickness of the upper surface of the front intermediate portion at the end portion close to the central hole is within 10 mm; The toilet seat of claim 6.

8. The toilet seat is a convex curved surface portion including the convex curved surface of each of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, the front intermediate portion, the first rear curved portion, the second rear curved portion, and the rear intermediate portion, the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface portion gradually changes from the first backward curved portion to the first forward curved portion located in front of it so as to become larger toward the front portion, and gradually changes from the second backward curved portion to the second forward curved portion located in front of it so as to become larger toward the front portion, At least a portion of the area defined by the upper surfaces of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, and the front intermediate portion is horizontal. The toilet seat of claim 1.

9. The toilet seat is an upper surface portion including the upper surfaces of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, the front intermediate portion, the first rear curved portion, the second rear curved portion, and the rear intermediate portion; an inner surface portion including the inner surface of each of the first front curved portion, the second front curved portion, the front intermediate portion, the first rear curved portion, the second rear curved portion, and the rear intermediate portion, In a plan view, the length of the upper surface portion in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface portion is maximum on the upper surface of the first forward curved portion and the upper surface of the second forward curved portion. The toilet seat of claim 1.

10. A toilet seat according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The toilet body to which the toilet seat is attached. Toilet equipment.

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