Toilet seat hinge assembly

Abstract

A hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly having a toilet seat includes an extension arm, and a hinge plate coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a pocket of the toilet seat. The hinge plate extends between a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge having a decreased thickness relative to the rearward edge. The hinge plate includes an opening, and an elastically deformable tab extending within the opening and configured to engage a surface of the toilet seat assembly that defines the pocket to retain the hinge plate within the pocket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 778,206, filed on Mar. 26, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a toilet seat hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat and a toilet seat lid, each of which is coupled to the toilet seat hinge assembly.SUMMARY

[0003] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat, including an extension arm, and a hinge plate coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a pocket of the toilet seat, the hinge plate extending between a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge having a decreased thickness relative to the rearward edge, the hinge plate including an opening, and an elastically deformable tab extending within the opening and configured to engage a surface of the toilet seat assembly that defines the pocket to retain the hinge plate within the pocket.

[0004] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat, including an extension arm, and a hinge plate coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a pocket of the toilet seat, the hinge plate including a first edge and a second edge adjacent the extension arm and opposite the first edge, wherein the first edge is substantially curved and tapered, and a catch pocket formed where the first edge meets the second edge, the catch pocket configured to receive adhesive displaced within the pocket of the toilet seat during insertion of the hinge plate.

[0005] In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of assembling a hinge assembly to a pocket formed in a toilet seat lid or a toilet seat, the hinge assembly including a hinge plate having an opening and a tab extending within the opening, including applying an adhesive to at least one of the hinge plate and the pocket, inserting the hinge plate into the pocket such that the tab is elastically deformed against a surface of the pocket, retaining the hinge plate within the pocket via the tab, and displacing the adhesive around a forward edge of the hinge plate and into the opening.

[0006] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a forward perspective view of a toilet seat assembly.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the toilet seat assembly of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of hinge assemblies of the toilet seat assembly of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hinge assembly.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the hinge assembly of FIG. 4.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an attachment arm of the hinge assembly of FIG. 4.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a top view of the attachment arm of FIG. 6.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the attachment arm of FIG. 6.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the toilet seat assembly of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional top view of the attachment arm of FIG. 6 located within a toilet lid of the toilet seat assembly.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the attachment arm of FIG. 6 located within a toilet lid of the toilet seat assembly.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another hinge assembly for use with the toilet seat assembly of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Terms of degree, such as “substantially,”“about,”“approximately,” etc. are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet seat assembly 10 having a toilet seat lid 200 and a toilet seat 300 connected to one another via at least one (e.g., two, as shown) hinge assembly 100 and selectively coupled to a toilet bowl (e.g., an elongated toilet bowl, a round toilet bowl) via the hinge assemblies 100 and fasteners (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the illustrated toilet seat assembly 10 includes two hinge assemblies 100 that rotatably couple the toilet seat lid 200 and the toilet seat 300 to the toilet bowl via attachment arms 112, 116, respectively, that each rotate about a pivot axis 128 (e.g., a shared axis). As such, the toilet seat assembly 10 includes the toilet seat lid 200, the toilet seat 300, and the hinge assemblies 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the toilet seat assembly 10 includes two hinge assemblies 100, but in other embodiments, the toilet seat assembly 10 can include one hinge assembly. In still other embodiments, the toilet seat assembly 10 may not include the toilet seat lid 200.

[0021] As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9-11, each attachment arm 112, 116 extends into an opening or pocket 204, 304 formed in a rear edge 208, 308 (e.g., between an upper side and a lower side) of the toilet seat lid 200 and toilet seat 300, respectively. The illustrated toilet seat lid 200 includes two pockets 204 for receiving two attachment arms 112, and the illustrated toilet seat 300 includes two pockets 304 for receiving two attachment arms 116. In other embodiments, each of the toilet seat lid 200 and the toilet seat 300 may only include a single pocket 204, 304 (e.g., if the toilet seat assembly 10 only includes one hinge assembly 100).

[0022] As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3-5, each hinge assembly 100 includes a cover 104, a base 108, a lid attachment arm 112 and a seat attachment arm 116. The base 108 includes a foot 108A that rests upon a toilet bowl and a hinge knuckle 108B extending upward and away from the foot 108A. The hinge knuckle 108B includes an opening defining the rotational axis 128 about which the lid 200 and seat 300 are rotatable relative to the toilet bowl. The rotational axis 128 (and therefore the central axis of the opening of the hinge knuckle 108B) extends substantially parallel to the rear edges 208, 308 of the lid 200 and seat 300. The foot 108A of the base 108 includes an opening (not shown) through which a fastener extends to couple the hinge assembly 100 to the toilet bowl. The cover 104 extends over at least a portion of the 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 a hinge knuckle 104B coaxial with the hinge knuckle 108B of the base 108 and the rotational axis 128 such that the cover 104 is rotatable about the rotational axis 128 relative to the base 108. In the embodiment shown, the cover includes two hinge knuckles 104B on either side of the hinge knuckle 108B, though in other embodiments, more or fewer hinge knuckles 104B may be utilized.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, in which the cover 104 and base 108 are removed, a hinge pin 130 is positioned within the hinge knuckles 104B, 108B. The hinge pin 130 is generally cylindrical and centered on the rotational axis 128. In some embodiments, the hinge pin 130 may include one or more features such as a friction or slow close hinge module to control a rotational speed of the toilet lid 200 and / or seat 300 relative to the toilet bowl. In the embodiment shown, the hinge pin 130 includes a key 132 (e.g., keyed surface) that engages a keyed chamber 136 of one of the attachment arms 112, 116 (as shown, the lid attachment arm 112) such that rotation of the attachment arm 112, 116 results in rotation of at least the key 132 of the hinge pin 130. In some embodiments, both of the lid and seat attachment arms 112, 116 include a keyed chamber 136 for receiving mating keys 132 of the hinge pin 130.

[0024] The lid and seat attachment arms 112, 116 are connected at opposite ends to the hinge pin 130 for rotation with and / or relative to the hinge pin 130 about the rotational axis 128. The hinge knuckles 104B, 108B are sandwiched between the two attachment arms 112, 116 and, in some embodiments, are held in position relative to the hinge pin 130 by the attachment arms 112, 116.

[0025] The lid attachment arm 112 extends from the hinge pin 130 to the lid 200. The seat attachment arm 116 extends from the hinge pin 130 to the seat 300. Each of the lid and seat attachment arms 112, 116 includes an extension portion 118 and a hinge plate 120. The extension portion 118 includes the keyed chamber 136 and is an arm that extends from the rotational axis 128 and hinge pin 130 to the rearward edge of the respective lid 200 or seat 300. As the lid 200 is positioned atop the seat 300, the extension portion 118 of the lid attachment arm 112 extends to a height above the extension portion 118 of the seat attachment arm 116. The hinge plate 120 is coupled to (e.g., integrally formed with) a distal end of the extension portion 118 and is configured to be positioned within the opening or pocket 204, 304 formed on the rear edge 208, 308 of the lid 200 or seat 300. In the embodiment shown, the entirety of the hinge plate 120 is wholly enclosed within the pocket 204, 304 when installed. The hinge assembly 100 is coupled (e.g., secured) to the hinge plates 120 of the attachment arms 112, 116.

[0026] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate only a single attachment arm (i.e., the lid attachment arm 112) and the description of the hinge plate 120 is provided with respect to the illustrated lid attachment arm 112. The hinge plate 120 of the seat attachment arm 116 is identical to the hinge plate 120 of the lid attachment arm 112 and the description of the hinge plate 120 is applicable to both. In some embodiments, the lid attachment arm 112 and seat attachment arm 116 are identical, with only their mounting orientation providing for separate attachment to the lid 200 and seat 300, respectively. In other embodiments, the extension portions 118 (e.g., shape, design, attachment to hinge pin 130) of the attachment arms 112, 116 may differ from one another.

[0027] The hinge plate 120 is held within the pocket 204 of the lid 200 via an adhesive, such as glue. In assembly, the adhesive is applied to one or both of the pocket 204 and the hinge plate 120. The hinge plate 120 is then positioned within the pocket 204 and held in place until the adhesive has dried. The hinge plate 120 includes a number of features that assist in displacing the adhesive about the hinge plate 120 within the pocket 204 upon assembly and assist in retaining the hinge plate 120 in an appropriate position within the pocket 204 as the adhesive solidifies.

[0028] The illustrated hinge plate 120 is substantially D-shaped, having a curved forward edge 140 opposite a rearward edge 142 coupled to the extension portion 118. The shape of the rearward edge 142 corresponds to the shape of the rear edge 208 of the lid 200 at the pocket 204. The thickness of the hinge plate 120 is less than the thickness of the toilet seat lid 200 so as to fit within the pocket 204. The thickness of the hinge plate 120 is also variable, with the forward edge 140 of the hinge plate 120 having a decreased thickness relative to the remainder of the hinge plate 120. Insertion of the hinge plate 120 into the pocket 204 displaces a majority of the adhesive against an inner wall of the pocket 204 (i.e., into the pocket, away from the rear edge 208). The decreased thickness at the forward edge 140 provides space for the adhesive to flow above and below hinge plate 120 and away from the inner wall of the pocket 204. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the forward edge 140 is also rounded, narrowing and tapering to a minimum thickness at a tip (at the forwardmost edge) to divert the adhesive around the hinge plate 120. The adhesive is diverted rearward towards the openings 144.

[0029] Openings 144 (as shown, two openings) are formed within the hinge plate 120 and form through openings that extend fully through the hinge plate 120 perpendicular to the D-shaped-profile. In other embodiments, more or fewer openings 144 (e.g., at least two) may be utilized. The openings 144 are positioned rearward of the forward edge 140 such that the decreased thickness of the forward edge 140 transitions directly to the openings 144. As such, adhesive within the pocket 204 flowing over the forward edge 140, passes within the openings 144. When the adhesive hardens within the openings 144, an adhesive bridge is formed through each of the openings 144, assisting in the securement of the hinge plate 120 within the pocket 204. Rear sides of the openings 144 (opposite the forward edge 140) have a greater height than the forward edge, substantially the same height as that of the pocket 204, to substantially inhibit the adhesive from extending rearward past the openings 144.

[0030] Prongs 148A, 148B, or tabs, extend within the openings 144, curving upward and downward, respectively, from the decreased thickness of the forward edge 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the prongs 148A, 148B are cantilevered elements extending from the forward edge 140 of the hinge plate 120 generally toward the rearward edge 142 of the hinge plate 120. The prongs 148A, 148B may also be referred to as arms or fingers. As shown, an upward extending prong 148A extends from the forward edge 140 within one of the openings 144 and upward, terminating at a tip that extends substantially parallel to the through-direction of the opening 144. A downward extending prong 148B extends from the forward edge 140 within the other of the openings 144 and downward, terminating at a tip that extends substantially parallel to the through-direction of the opening 144, but opposite the direction of the tip of the upward-extending prong 148A. The tips of the prongs 148A, 148B are relatively sharp. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the upward extending prong 148A extends upward to define an uppermost height (i.e., perpendicular to the D-shaped profile and the insertion direction into the pocket 204) of the hinge plate 120. Similarly, the downward extending prong 148B extends downward to define a lowermost height of the hinge plate 120. Each of the prongs 148A, 148B engages a surface of the lid 200 that defines the pocket 204 upon insertion to maintain strong engagement between the hinge plate 120 and the pocket 204 during assembly, thereby eliminating the need for an external clamp to hold the hinge plate 120 in position as the adhesive cures. In particular, the tips of the prongs 148A, 148B may “bite” or dig into the surface of the lid 200 that defines the pocket 204. The overall height of the hinge plate 120 established by the prongs 148A, 148B is greater than a height of the pocket 204. As such, the prongs 148A, 148B are elastically deformable to fit within the pocket 204 and retain strong engagement with opposite walls of the pocket 204.

[0031] Adhesive catch pockets 152 are formed within the hinge plate 120 adjacent the corners of the D-shaped profile (i.e., where the forward edge 140 meets the rearward edge 142). In the embodiment shown, the adhesive catch pockets 152 are formed within the curved forward edge 140, though rearward of the decreased thickness portion. The adhesive catch pockets 152 are formed as recessed regions along the forward edge 140 that are configured to receive adhesive that is displaced within the pocket 204. The adhesive catch pockets 152 introduce additional surface area to which the adhesive can secure. Additionally, the adhesive catch pockets 152 trap adhesive that may otherwise squeeze past the hinge plate 120, out of the pocket 204. As such, post-assembly cleaning of adhesive squeeze out is limited by the inclusion of the adhesive catch pockets adjacent the corners of the hinge plate 120.

[0032] Projections 156A, 156B, 156C extend outward from the upper and lower surfaces of the hinge plate 120. A first outer projection 156A is located between one opening 144 and an adjacent adhesive catch pocket 152. A second outer projection 156B, opposite the first outer projection 156A, is located between the other opening 144 and the adjacent adhesive catch pocket 152. A central projection 156C is located between the two openings 144. The projections 156A, 156B, 156C extend outward from the upper and lower surfaces at the full height portion of the hinge plate 120 (i.e., not the decreased height portion of the forward edge 140). Unlike the prongs 148A, 148B, the projections 156A, 156B, 156C are not significantly plastically deformable. As such, the height of the hinge plate 120 at the projections 156A, 156B, 156C (e.g., measured between the central projection 156C on the upper surface and the central projection 156C on the lower surface) is substantially the same as the height of the pocket 204 to engage top and bottom surfaces of the pocket 204. In some embodiments, the height at the projections 156A, 156B, 156C may be slightly greater than a height of the pocket 204 to create an interference fit. The projections 156A, 156B, 156C therefore assist in retention of the hinge plate 120 within the pocket 204 and further assist in ensuring that the insertion of the hinge plate 120 within the pocket 204 is performed at an appropriate angle (e.g., with the D-shaped profile substantially parallel to the upper surface of the lid 200).

[0033] As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 10-11, when the hinge plate 120 is positioned within the pocket 204 of the lid 200, a gap 220 is formed between the forward edge 140 of the hinge plate 120 and the forward edge of the pocket 204. The gap 220 is an adhesive gap within which some of the adhesive for holding the hinge plate 120 within the pocket 204 is retained. As such, insertion of the hinge plate 120 into the pocket 204 does not require displacement of all of the adhesive within the pocket 204, as would otherwise be the case if the hinge plate 120 were sized and shaped to fill the pocket 204. Rather, the gap 220 has a distance 216 (e.g., at least 10% the depth of the pocket 204, at least 10% the length of the hinge plate 120) that provides space for the adhesive to fill. The gap 220 also provides a path to the adhesive catch pockets 152, as shown in FIG. 10. The hinge plate 120 seals against the lid 200 just rearward of the adhesive catch pockets 152 to inhibit adhesive from squeezing out of the pocket 204 of the lid 200.

[0034] In assembly, the hinge assembly 100 is generally preassembled, though may be otherwise assembled in a method of assembly by placing the hinge knuckles 104B, 108B on the hinge pin 130 and attaching lid attachment arm 112 and seat attachment arm 116 to opposite ends of the hinge pin 130. In some embodiments, assembly of the attachment arms 112, 116 to the remainder of the hinge assembly 100 may follow the assembly of the attachment arms 112, 116 to the lid 200 and seat 300. Adhesive is applied within the pocket 204 of the lid 200 and / or to the hinge plate 120 of the lid attachment arm 112. The hinge plate 120 of the lid attachment arm 112 is positioned within the pocket 204, deforming the prongs 148A, 148B inward upon insertion. During the insertion, the adhesive within the pocket 204 passes over the forward edge 140 and into the openings 144 and adhesive catch pockets 152. The projections 156A, 156B, 156C and prongs 148A, 148B press against opposite sides of the pocket 152 to hold the hinge plate 120 within the pocket 204 without the assistance of an external clamping pressure. The process is repeated for inserting the hinge plate 120 of the seat attachment arm 116 into the corresponding pocket 304 in the seat 300.

[0035] FIGS. 1-11 focus primarily on a hinge plate 120 having a substantially D-shaped profile. In other embodiments, other hinge plates (such as hinge plate 1120 shown in FIG. 12) have other profiles, such as rectangular profiles, wavy profiles, and profiles having jagged geometry. The elements of the hinge plate 120 for facilitating insertion and holding of the hinge plate 120 within the lid 200 and seat 300 and for collecting excess adhesive may be utilized within other hinge plates having other profiles. FIG. 12 illustrates one such example, with a hinge plate 1120 having a substantially rectangular profile. Like elements are identified with like reference numerals, incremented by 1000.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 12, each hinge plate 1120 is coupled to a respective one of the lid and seat attachment arms 1112, 1116 to couple the hinge plates 1120 to the base 1108 and cover 1104. Similar to the hinge plates 120, the hinge plates 1120 extend between a rearward edge 1140 and a forward edge 1142, though the forward edge 1142 is substantially parallel to the rearward edge 1140, with the glue catch pockets 1152 formed on the sidewalls that connect the forward edge 1142 to the rearward edge 1140. The glue catch pockets 1152 are cutouts that extend inward, deviating from the generally rectangular profile of the hinge plate 120. The openings 1144 that provide a further glue catch and within which the prongs 1148A, 1148B, or tabs, are positioned also have a substantially rectangular profile. Similar to the hinge plate 120, the hinge plate 1120 includes one upward extending prong 1148A and one downward extending prong 1148B to engage opposing sides of the openings 204, 304. Lateral projections 1156A, 1156B extend upward and outward away from the body of the main body of the hinge plate 1120 to further engage the openings 204, 304.

[0037] The forward edge 1142 of the hinge plate 1120 includes a wave pattern of increased thickness relative to the portion directly rearward of the wave pattern. Additionally, protrusions 1164 extend outward away from the remainder of the hinge plate 1120 (e.g., rearward of the wave pattern, within the spaces defined by the wave pattern). The collective forward edge therefore defines circuitous channels within which the adhesive can flow and provide strong attachment to the inner walls of the openings 204, 304.

[0038] 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 including:an extension arm; anda hinge plate coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a pocket of the toilet seat, the hinge plate extending between a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge having a decreased thickness relative to the rearward edge, the hinge plate includingan opening, andan elastically deformable tab extending within the opening and configured to engage a surface of the toilet seat assembly that defines the pocket to retain the hinge plate within the pocket.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate has a substantially D-shaped profile.

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

4. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate is configured to extend wholly within the pocket of the toilet seat assembly.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening is a first opening and the elastically deformable tab is a first elastically deformable tab, the hinge plate further including a second opening and a second elastically deformable tab extending within the second opening, wherein the first elastically deformable tab extends in a first direction and the second elastically deformable tab extends in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

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

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

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

9. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate also includes a rearward edge adjacent the extension arm, a forward edge opposite the rearward edge, and a catch pocket formed where the forward edge meets the rearward edge, and wherein the catch pocket is configured to receive adhesive that is displaced as the hinge plate is inserted into the pocket of the toilet seat.

10. A hinge assembly for use with a toilet seat assembly including a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising:an extension arm; anda hinge plate coupled to the extension arm and configured to extend into a pocket of the toilet seat, the hinge plate includinga first edge and a second edge adjacent the extension arm and opposite the first edge, wherein the first edge is substantially curved and tapered, anda catch pocket formed where the first edge meets the second edge, the catch pocket configured to receive adhesive displaced within the pocket 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 an inner edge of the pocket, and wherein adhesive is receivable within the gap to secure the hinge plate within the pocket.

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

13. The hinge assembly of claim 10, wherein the catch pocket is a first catch pocket, wherein the hinge plate includes a second catch pocket formed where the first edge meets the second edge on an opposite side of the hinge plate, and wherein the second catch pocket is also configured to receive adhesive displaced within the pocket of the toilet seat during insertion of the hinge plate.

14. The hinge assembly of claim 10, wherein the catch pocket includes a recessed region formed along the first edge of the hinge plate.

15. The hinge assembly of claim 10, wherein the catch pocket is formed adjacent a corner between the first edge and the second edge of the hinge plate.

16. A method of assembling a hinge assembly to a pocket formed in a toilet seat lid or a 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 pocket;inserting the hinge plate into the pocket such that the tab is elastically deformed against a surface of the pocket;retaining the hinge plate within the pocket via the tab; anddisplacing the adhesive around a forward edge of the hinge plate and into the opening.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hinge plate is retained within the pocket without external clamping.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein displacing 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 a forward edge of the hinge plate and an inner edge of the pocket.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the adhesive is receivable within the gap to secure the hinge plate within the pocket.

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