US2281265A - Toilet seat mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1942. H. s. CAMPBELL TOILET SEAT MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed Nov. 18, 1940 INVENTOR Ap 28,1942- H-.-s. CAMPBELL TOILET SEAT MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 18, 1940 INVENTOR April 1942- H. s. CAMPBELL 2,281,265

TOILET SEAT MECHANISM Filed Nov. 18, 1940 I Sheets-Sheet 3 1 I i I l /14 I h l l 63 -|NVE NTOR- J W W @atented Apr. 28, 1942 I STATES PAT 21 Claims.

This invention relates to toilet seats and is more particularly concerned with mechanism for raising and lowering such seats.

Toilet seats hinged to swing down into position on the bowl have been standard for manyyears. Also toilet seats which are sterilized by being raised into a cabinet in which the seat is disinfected by exposure to some disinfecting medium, for example by the rays of an ultra violet light, have also been proposed and manufactured. Prior constructions have necessitated the handling of an unsterilized handle or the like,

' to move it into or out of position for use. It

mechanism which is compact in nature and is arranged to be assembled on a base adapted to support and house to a large extent the various control and actuating units and linkages.

.A more specific object of the invention is to provide a unit containing a return spring for raising the seat combined with a piston device for damping and controlling the rate of seat movement, said unit being placed in an upright position whereby space is conserved and the construction simplified. When fluid is used in the cylinder as a damping medium, the upright position eliminates the need for a complicated sealing gland to prevent leakage.

A further object of 'the invention is concerned with the design of a base or chassis which contacts the bowl only at two points, the remainder of the assembly being spaced therefrom, thus simplifying the problem of maintaining the bowl and base in a clean and sanitary condition.

Another specific object of the invention is the provision of adjustable stops for the limits of mechanical movement whereby the seat may be accurately positioned in its raised position to compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies thereby permitting greater leeway in manufacturing tolerances.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable latch mechanism for retaining the seat in its lowered position and for automatically releasing this seat and permitting it to return to the cabinet after use. One form of this mechanism contemplates a timing device which automatically permits the return of the seat to the cabinet after a predetermined interval.

How these and other objects of the invention are obtained will be clear from the following description of the drawings in which- Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a complete seat unit according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the unit.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing the base assembly according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55, Figure 4, showing the operating or pedal shaft assembly.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6, Figure 4, showing the operating latch.

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 1-1, Figure 6, showing a de-\ tail of construction of the latch.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through the base support taken on the line 8-8, Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a sectional view through the control and return unit taken on the line 9-9, Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 with the parts shown in seat down" position.

Figure 11 is an enlarged view showing the piston details of the control unit. 7

Figure 12 is a view of an alternative latch arrangement illustrating a timing device.

Figures 1, 2 and.3 indicate the relationship of the seatitself to the cabinet and other parts of the assembly. The seat is composed ofv two sides It and Ma mounted on hinges l5 and lira. A cabinet It is provided into which a seat fits in its raised position. Openings I! and Ila are provided in the front of the cabinet through which the seat may pass. The sterilizing lamp is indicated at it and from Figure 3 it will be seen that a rear reflector i9 and a front reflector 2a are provided to direct the rays of the lamp 1% around the edges of the seat parts It and Ma to provide complete sterilization.

The toilet bowl is indicated in chain dotted outline at 22. A pedal 2| projects from the outside of the cabinet. The seat and pedal are indicated in raised position in full lines. In Figure 2 the seat is indicated in lowered position by dotted outline Hm. The corresponding position for the pedal is indicated at 2 lm. Movement of the pedal 2| by foot pressure to the-position Zlm causes the seat to be lowered to position Hm where it is retained until pressure directly applied to the seat lowers it completely to horizontal position after which, upon release of direct pressure, the seat is free to return automatically to the cabinet. The mechanism for operating and controlling the seat in this fashion will be described in connection with the various figures.

In Figure 4 the sides of the seat It and Ida are shown mounted on hinges l5 and |5a which in turn are securely fastened to a hinge rod 23 by means of pins 24. The rod 23 is supported in bearing standards 25 which are part of the base unit indicated generally by numeral 26. The standards 25 are adapted to be mounted on the toilet bowl 22 by means of bolts 21 (see also Figure 8) which pass through the holes provided in the bowl 22. A recess having a surface 25a is provided in the standard 25 upon which a clamping action is produced by bolt 21 to securely anchor the base unit 25. A washer 28 preferably of deformable material is placed vunder each standard 25.

The base unit 25 consists of a beam portion 29 extending across the central portion of the base and to which the hinge supporting standards 25 are connected. At the ends of the beam portions 29 box-like formations 38 and 38a are provided. These boxes serve to house and support the actuating and controlling mechanism for the seat operation.

By reference to Figures 4 and 5 the operation of the pedal actuated linkage for lowering the seat will be seen. The pedal shaft .unit 3| is illustrated in position separated from the operating mechanism in order to show the method-of assembly. The pedal unit 3| has a shaft 3|a with slots 3|b in the end. The shaft 3|a fits inside the recess in the cooperating shaft 32 to which the arm 33 is attached. Shaft 32 is supported in the bearing bracket 34 which is mounted on the box portion 38 of the frame. Pins 35 project inwardly and upon assembly with pedal shaft 3M, pins 35 are engaged by slot 3 |b to cause movement of the arm 33 upon movement of the pedal 2|. ures 1 and 2) passes through the hole 3|c and engages threads 31 in arm 33. By the above construction the pedal arm 2| may be readily assembled in position without the need for removing the cabinet. This facilitates making the installation since a minimum of assembly is required after removing from the packing case.

Arm 33 projects forwardly and downwardly as i will best be seen in Figure 5. A shorter arm 38 is attached to the hinge shaft 23 and projects forwardly. A link 38 has one end connected to the shaft arm 38 by means of pivot 48. The other end of link 38 is attached to operating arm 33 by means of pivot 4|. A slot 39a is provided in link 39 to permit lost motion for a purpose which will be evident as the description proceeds. Figure 5 are in their relative positions corresponding to the "up position of the seat.

A second arm 42 is attached to arm 38 and projects generally upwardly and rearwardly. The relative position of these two arms 38 and 42 is clearly shown in Figure 6. Arm 42 contacts and co-operates with the latch member 43. Latch member 43 is mounted by pivot 44 to bracket 45. A light spring 46 is provided to urge the latch member downwardly and at the same time tends to hold it in contact with arm 42 under light pressure. A pin 41 projects from the arm 42 and engages a cam surface 48 in the part 43. Reference to Figure '1 will indicate the relative arrangement of these parts.

Moving the pedal causes the seat to be swung into lower position as indicated at l4m Figure 2 and brings the arm 33 into a position indicated by the line 33m. The corresponding positions for the arms 38 and 42 are indicated at 38m and 42m, Figure 5. Here it will be seen that pivots A bolt 36 (shown in Fi The parts as shown by full outline in 48 and 4| are now in positions 48m and 4|m. Also pin 41 has moved to position 41m and in doing so has swung across the lower cam surface 48 of the cam link 43. The configuration of cam link 43 is such that at the end of cam surface 48 there is a circular depression 43 which drops down into place against the pin 41 after it has reached the end of cam surface 48. The parts come to rest in this position and are retained therein by the cam surface 49 preventing the pin 41 from moving back. Upon movement of the seat I4 to the full down position the pin 41 is moved a small amount further forwardly than position 41m so that it is freed from the depression 49 thereby permitting the cam link 43 to drop under the influence of its weight and the spring 46 until the top cam surface 58 engages the pin 41. The pin 41 is now in position to move back along the cam surface 58 to its initial starting position when the seat I4 is released so that it may return into the cabinet. Spring mechanism to be described later is used to provide the energy for this return action.

In Figure '1 a section across the cam member 43 is shown. Here it will be seen that the cam surface 48 is arranged so that a small ledge is provided where the cam surface 48 passes the opening of the return cam surface 58. Thus the pin 41 is forced to follow the cam surface 48 in its movement corresponding to the lowering of the seat. During its return motion the pin 41 follows the cam surface 58 and comes back into I the cam surface 48 toward the end of the return movement by moving over an inclined surface 5|. The latch arm 43 is permitted by spring 48 to move away from the arm 42 slightly to permit the pin 41 to slide over inclined surface 5|.

In Figure 5 it will be seen that in the up position" the arm 33 comes in contact with a stop screw52. This screw is fastened in bracket 53 and is adjustable to provide the proper setting for the arm 33. The lower position of arm 33 is also governed by another screw stop 54 which is adjusted so that the pedal movement is stopped at the proper position to permit the pin 41 to be latched into position against the surface 49, the seat being in lowered position |4m. To release the seat from this latched position it is necessary to move it a slight distance further under the influence of a weight, such as the body weight, applied to the seat. Due to the slotted hole 39a in the link 38 this slight additional movement is permitted without moving the pedal 2|.

The control and actuating mechanism for returning the seat into the cabinet will be described with reference to Figures 4, 9 and 10. Attached to the hinge shaft 23 by means of pins 55 is a cylindrical member 58 to which is attached a pair'of arms 51. An upright cylinder 58 is fastened in position on the frame box 38a by means of screws 58. Inside the cylinder a piston device 68 is located at the lower end of a piston rod 8| which projects through the cylinder cover 58a. A helical compression spring 52 is interposed between the piston device 68 and the cover 58a. At the upper end of piston rod 5| is mounted a yoke 53 having trunnions 84 at the ends thereof. Connecting links are attached to the yoke 53 by means of trunnions 54 and pivotally connected at their lower ends to the arms 51 by means of pivots 86 The cylinder 58 is partially filled with fluid such as oil, the level of the fluid being sujfficient to cover the piston device 88 at all times.

The details of the construction of the piston device 60 are shown more clearly in Figure 11. A piston member 60:: is retained in place by means of shoulder Bio and nut 61. A collar part 68 retainsa flat washer part 69 in position with freedom for a slight amount of movement in an axial direction. Holes are provided in piston member Ella and are positioned to be covered by washer 69. Thus upon upward movement of the piston device 60 the washer 69 falls to its lowest position against member 68, permittingfree flow v of the fluid downwardly through the holes l0. Upon downward movement of the piston device 60 the fluid resistance-causes washer 69 to move upwardly to the position shown in full lines against the piston 80a, in which position it closes off the flow of fluid through the holes Ill. Thus downward motion of the piston is greatly restricted since the fluid is forced through the small annular clearance provided between the piston and cylinder.

The operation of the spring and piston device will be as follows: A slight initial compression is given the spring so. that it tends to retain the seat in up or closed position as illustrated in Figure 9. In this position the arm 51 points of the cylinder. To lower the seat the operator moves the pedal in a fashion previously described and consequently rotates shaft 23. As the seat is lowered into position l4m, the arms 51. are swung upwardly to the position shown in Figure 10 and their motion is transmitted through links 65 to the piston rod 6| causing the piston to be raised and the spring 62 to be compressed.

During this lowering movement little restriction is offered by the fluid so that the seat may be brought quickly into lowered position. As previously described the seat becomes latched in position m and is retained in this position until a weight or force moves the seat to horizontal position l4d (see chain dotted outline Figure 10). This final movement releases the latch and upon removal of the weight from the seat the compressed spring 62 immediately acts to raise the seat into its up position. The restriction of the hydraulic device when moving in this direction controls the return so that it isa slow gradual motion.

Occasionally a return overload on the cam latch part 43 may'occur such as when the seat is grasped by"the hand and an upward force applied to try to return it to the cabinet. Under these circumstances, in order to protect the mechanism from injury, it is desirable that the seat should be released from the latched position. The surface 49 of the cam 43 is shaped so that the pin 41 is retained in position 41m under normal circumstances, such as under the return spring action. The small cam spring 46 holds down the cam in this latched position. Upon application of an overload to pin 41 the angle of contact with surface 49 is such that the small spring 46 is overcome and the cam 43 is lifted sibility of leakage so that a complicated sealing device around the piston rod is unnecessary.

Figures 4, 9 and 10 also disclose how-all the operating parts are mounted on the frame'unit 2|.

which carry the socket units 16 in which the ultra violet ray sterilizing lamp is is mounted.

In Figures 4 and 5 an electrical transformer I0 is shown mounted on top of bearing bracket 34 which supports the pedal arm. A pair ofelectric conducting wires 19 are provided to connect the seat unit with a source of electrical current. One wire 19a of the electric cord is connected direct ly to the primary coil of the transformer 18 while the other wire 1% has the switch 80' connected into it in series. Switch 80 is a mercury type switch and is mounted onarm 33 in a position which causes electrical contact when the seat is in its raised position, but breaks the electrical connection when the seat is in the lowered position. In Figure 4 it will be seen that the secondary coil of the transformer 18 is connected by wires 8la and.8lb to the light sockets l6. thus completing the electrical circuit for operating the ultra violet ray la'r'np It.

A plug or cover member 83 is provided to close the hole 82a and support the electrical cord 19. This plug 82 is readily removable and provides access to the rear adjustable stop screw 54 to permit adjustment of the seat lowering mechanism.

After the assembly ofthe operating partsand the front support H with the reflector and lamp mounted thereon, it will be seen that all that is required to complete the finished seat unit assembly is to apply the rear portion of the'cabinet with the rear reflector l9 and then the front cover of the cabinet. lhe cabinet is fastened on the frame 28 by means of screws" (see Figure 1).

Figure 12 illustrates an alternative form of latch mechanism for controlling the release of slightly to allow pin 41 toreturn along cam surface 48 to the .seat up position.

A seal 58b is provided at the point where the piston 6i emerges from the cylinder cover 580.. This seal is a simple washer type seal of flexible material which is compressed against the cover 58a when the seat is in the raised position. The chief purpose of this seal is to prevent leakage of fluid from the cylinder during shipment and handling prior to installation of the seat upon a toilet bowl. Once the seat is installed the upright position of the cylinder prevents the msthe seat from lowered position. The latch member 43 is generally similar to that shown in Figure 6. However instead of a depression at the endof cam surface 48 a smooth surface 88 is provided. Thus when the pin 41 reaches the end of cam surface 48 the weight of member 43 and the pressure of spring 46 cause member 43' to move downwardly past pin 41. A small cylinder 89 is provided with apiston 90 and piston rod 9 I, which piston rod is attached at 92 to the cam member 33. Thus a restriction to the downward movement of the member 43 is provided, the amount of restriction'being determined by the clearance around thepistonBO. If desired, means may be provided in the piston 90 to adjust the flow from one side of the piston to the other. In this way the desired-timing action can be given to the member 43 so that a predetermined number .of seconds is required before the surface 88 will have moved past the pin 41. During this period the seat is retained in lowered position, after which it is automatically released and returned to the cabinet by the return spring. With upon lowering of the seat completely to the bowl for release.

A complete operating cycle of the seat will be as follows: With the seat in the up position in the cabinet the electric circuit is completeand the ultra violet ray lamp is operating to effectively sterilize the surfaces of the seat exposed to the rays. By pressing on the pedal 2! the seat is lowered to position Mm which is Just slightly above horizontal position and is automatically latched and retained in this position. During lowering of the seat the ultra violet lamp is automatically turned off by the action of tilting the mercury switch. When the seat is used, the weight applied carries the seat down to horizontal position, which movement releases the latch mechanism and after removal of the weight the seat is raised and returned to the cabinet under the influence of the spring and hydraulic piston unit. During the upward travel the electrical circuit is completed and the ultra violet ray lamp again lights, thus completing the cycle of operation.

It will be evident therefore, that I have provided a greatly improved seat unit which'incorporates simplified construction and desirable operating qualities. The arrangement of operating mechanism results in assembly features which are of importance in reducing the cost of manufacture and which also provide improved operating characteristics. The particular arrangement for the combined spring and hydraulic unit produces a low cost but reliable actuating unit. The upright position of the cylinder unit allows the depth of the cabinet to be kept a minimum. The assembly arrangement permits all the operating mechanism to be kept completely within the confines of the cabinet, thus enhancing the appearance of the seat unit. The operating pedal construction and mounting permhs ready installation and provides an improved means for lowering the seat without the need of handling an unsterilized part.

I claim:

1. For a hinged toilet seat, mechanism for raising and lowering said seat including a support, a primary shaft upon which said seat is mounted, a secondary shaft, a depending pedal arm associated with said secondary shaft, means interconnecting said secondary shaft and said hinge shaft for rotating said primary shaft upon movement of said pedal shaft, said means including mechanism providing for greater angular movement of said seat shaft than of said secondary shaft.

2. A toilet, seat assembly including a frame unit having a pair of pedestal supports adapted for mounting said frame unit upon a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported by said frame unit, a

toilet seat fastened to said hinge shaft, a second shaft supported on said frame unit, a depending pedal arm co-operating with said second shaft, means interconnecting said two shafts providing for larger angular movement of the hinge shaft than for the second shaft, energizing means attached to said base unit, means interconnecting said hinge shaft and said energizing means in a fashion to provide for storage of energy in said means during downward movement of said seat, said energizing means providing the force for raising of said seat.

3. For a hinged toilet seat, mechanism for raising and lowering said seat including a frame unit adapted to be supported on the toilet bowl,

a shaft supported on said frame unit, a toilet seat attached to said shaft, a pedal arm suported on said frame unit and adapted to cause rotation of said shaft for the purpose of lowering said seat upon movement of said pedal arm, an arm mounted on said shaft, a cylinder and piston unit, means interconnecting said unit and said arm, a spring associated with said unit. said unit being adapted to provide the force for raising said seat and at the same time to control the rate of movement of said seat.

41. For a mechanically operated toilet seat, a chassis unit adapted to be bolted to a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported on said chassis, a seat attached to said hinge shaft, an arm attached to said hinge shaft, 9. second shaft positioned in offset relationship to said hinge shaft, an arm attached to said second shaft, said latter arm being longer than said first mentioned arm, an operating connection between said arms, and a pedal member connected to said second shaft.

5. For a m;chanically operated toilet seat, a chassis unit adapted to be bolted to a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported on said chassis, a seat attached to said hingeshaft, an arm attached to said hinge shaft, a second shaft positioned in offset relationship to said hinge shaft, an arm attached to said second shaft, said latter arm being longer than said first mentioned arm, an operating connection between said arms, a pedal member connected to said second shaft, and a spring device having means operatively interconnecting said spring to said hinge shaft in a manner to permit said spring to counteract the weight of said seat and urge it to raised position.

6. For a mechanica'ly operated toilet seat, a chassis unit adapted to be bolted to a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported on said chassis, a seat attached to said hinge shaft, an arm attached to said hinge shaft, a second shaft positioned in offset relationship to said hinge shaft, an arm attached to said second shaft, said latter arm being longer than said first mentioned arm, an operating connection between said arms, a pedal member connected to said second shaft, and a v cylinder and piston unit mounted on said chassis, a helical compression spring located inside said cylinder and piston unit, means interconnecting said cylinder and piston unit to said hinge shaft whereby said spring provides a force to urge said seat to its raised position and said piston unit provides a controlling action upon the movement of said seat.

7. For a hinged toilet seat, mechanism for raising and lowering said seat including a shaft, 9. toilet seat attached to said shaft, a second shaft in oil'set relation to said first shaft, said second shaftihaving a pedal arm attached thereto, an operating connection between said shafts, a cylinder and piston device operatively associated with said first shaft and-a spring element with interconnecting means to said first shaft.

8. For a toilet seat, a hinge shaft, means for swinging said seat fronran upright position to a position slightly above horizontal, a device for 9. A claim in accordance with claim 8 in which the second mentioned surface is in the form of a recess shaped to fit said means and adapted to release said means upon movement of the seat to horizontal position.

10. A claim in accordance with claim 8 and having a single spring element urging said cam part against said means in two senses.

11. A claim in accordance with claim 8 and having timing means adapted to release said latch and allow said seat to be free to return after a predetermined interval.

12. For a mechanically operated toilet seat, a chassis unit adapted to be bolted to a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported on said chassis, a seat attached to said hinge shaft, an arm attached to said hinge shaft, a second shaft positioned in oifset relationship to said hinge shaft, an arm attached to said second shaft, said latter arm being longer than said first mentioned arm, an operating connection between said arms, a pedal member connected to said second shaft, and a pair of adjustable stops attached to contact the arm of said second shaft to adjustably limit its v range of movement.

13. A sterilized toilet seat assembly including a base adapted for attachment to a toilet bowl, a shaft hinged to said base, a toilet seat carried by said shaft, means for lowering said seat, a sprin actuated device mounted upon said base for rais- I mg said seat, structural means attached to said I base, a sterilizing ray lamp mounted on said structural means, a cabinet having an open bottom of generally rectangular shape tosuit the shape of said base,said cabinet being removably on said base, a pedal connected with said, shaft,

an upright piston and cylinder unit supported on said base, a spring housed in said cylinder and means interconnecting said unit to said hinge shaft, an upright structural member attached to said base, a sterilizing light and a reflector element supported by said upright member, a cabi-. net unit removably fastened to said base and adapted to house all of said parts except, said pedal.

15. For a mechanically operated toilet seat, a base unit for attachment to a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported in said base unit, a toilet seat attached. to said hinge shaft, an upright hydraulic cylinder attached to said base unit close to said hinge shaft, a cover for said hydraulic cylinder, a piston and piston rod adapted to fit said hydraulic cylinder, said piston rod projecting through said cover, a helical compression spring located between said piston and said cover and surrounding said piston. rod, an element attached to said hinge shaft, means interconnecting said piston rod and said element to transmit the spring force and hydraulic control forces to said hinge shaft.

16. A toilet seat operating mechanism comprisremoving said pedal arm member from said shaft including a cylindrical part. attached to said pedal arm, said cylindrical part having means for transmitting torque and having a central hole therein, a bolt member adapted to fit said hole to permit retaining or removing of said pedal arm by inserting or removing said bolt.

17. For a mechanically operated toilet seat, a base unit having two pedestal members adapted to be bolted to a toilet bowl, said base unit having bearing means for supporting a seat hinge, a beam-like member supported by said pedestal members and raised above said toilet bowl, an enlarged box-like structure supported at each end of said beam member, a cabinet unit, said base unit being shaped to define the shape of the lower part of said cabinet unit.

18. For a toilet seat, a hinge shaft having a seat unit attached thereto, means for moving said seat from an upright position to a position slightly above horizontal, a device for latching said seat in said position, said device having a pivotally mounted part, an arm attached to said hinge shaft and having a projecting member for contacting said part, said part having an indented surface against which said member makes contact during downward movement of the seat, a second surface against which said part makes contact for retaining said seat in latched position, said second surface being shaped to causemovement of said part 'to'release said member to move back-along said first surface upon application of an excess load against said second surface.

19. For a hinged toilet seat unit, mechanism for raising and lowering said seat including a pair of pedestals adapted 'to mount said seat unit to a toilet bowl, a beam member integrally attached to the upper portion of said pedestals and extending between and beyond said pedestals, an

enlarged bracket part integrally attached to each end of said beam-like member, a shaft extend- I ing from one bracket part. to the other bracket part, a seat supported on said shaft, mechanism supported on one of said bracket parts by means of which said seat may be moved into lowered position and mechanism supported on'the other of said bracket parts by means of which said seal; may be raised.

20. For a mechanically operated toilet seat, a base unit for attachment to a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported in said base unit, a toilet seat attached to said hinge shaft, pedal operated means for moving said seat from upright to approximately horizontal position, a latch device for retaining said seat in said horizontal position, said device being adapted to release upon slight additional movement of said seat, means for raising said seat upon release from horizontal position and a cylindrical damping device mounted in substantially vertical position. g

21. For a mechanically operated toilet seat, a base unit for attachment to a toilet bowl, a hinge shaft supported in said base unit, a toilet seat attached to said hinge shaft, pedal operated means for moving said seat from upright to approximately horizontal position, a latch device forretaining said seat in said horizontal position, said device including two parts in sliding engagement, one of said parts being fastened to said base unit and the other of said parts being associated with said hinge shaft.

HARRIS S, CAM BELL.

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