US3805306A

US3805306A - Toilet seat cover mounting

Info

Publication number: US3805306A
Application number: US00250212A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Stairs
Original assignee: American Standard Inc
Current assignee: Trane US Inc
Priority date: 1970-04-20
Filing date: 1972-05-04
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23

Abstract

Covers a mechanism for connecting a toilet seat cover to a toilet seat assembly. The mechanism includes a lug, sometimes called a ''''connector'''' or ''''cover leaf,'''' preferably made of a plastic material, such as linear or high density polyethylene, having two holes through which screws may be inserted to affix the lug to the seat cover. The lug also embodies flaps which are integral with the body of the lug and yet are moveable over an angle, such as 180*, for covering and concealing the heads of the screws. Two identical lugs would ordinarily be used with each toilet seat cover. By concealing the metal screws, the lug mechanism presents a finished appearance to the toilet seat and its cover and, more importantly, the flaps of the lugs prevent the accumulation of dirt in and around the screws. The employment of hinged flaps permits the easy installation of the lugs and will permit removal of the screws.

Description

United States Patent [191 Stairs TOILET SEAT COVER MOUNTING [75] Inventor: Henry Marshall Stairs, Louisville,

[21] App]. No.: 250,212

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 29,933, April 20, 1970, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl 4/236, 16/128, 16/150 [51] Int. Cl A47k 13/12, EOSd 7/02 [58] Field of Search 4/234, 236, 240; 16/128, 16/150, 167, DIG. 13

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,506,983 4/1970 Coggins 4/236 3,252,179 5/1966 Watson l6/l28 R 3,551,922 1/1971 Watson 4/236 3,277,500 10/1966 Carlson 16/128 R 3,568,223 3/1971 Haldopoulos... 4/236 3,665,552 5/1972 Toldo et al. 4/236 7/1963 Foster l6/DIG. 13

[ Apr. 23, 1974 Primary Examiner-John W. l-luckert Assistant Examiner-Stuart S. Levy Attorney, Agent, or Firm-.lefferson Ehrlich; Robert G. Crooks [5 7] ABSTRACT Covers a mechanism for connecting a toilet seat cover to a toilet seat assembly. The mechanism includes a lug, sometimes called a connector or cover leaf, preferably made of a plastic material, such as linear or high density polyethylene, having two holes through which screws may be inserted to affix the lug to the seat cover. The lug also embodies flaps which are inte gral with the body of the lug and yet are moveable over an angle, such as 180, for covering and concealing the heads of the screws. Two identical lugs would ordinarily be used with each toilet seat cover. By concealing the metal screws, the lug mechanism presents a finished appearance to the toilet seat and its cover and, more importantly, the flaps of the lugs prevent the accumulation of dirt in and around the screws. The employment of hinged flaps permits the easy installation of the lugs and will permit removal of the screws.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures TOILET SEAT COVER MOUNTING This is a division of application Ser. No. 29,933, filed 4/20/70, now US. Pat. No. 3,699,614.

This invention relates to toilet seats and to covers for toilet seats and to mechanism for interconnecting toilet seats with toilet seat covers. More particularly, this invention relates to mechanism for interconnecting toilet seat covers with toilet seats in which the mechanism is arranged for the rapid connection of a toilet seat cover to a toilet seat, and for the rapid removal of the toilet seat cover from its toilet seat, while maintaining the connecting mechanism free of contamination and corrosion.

More specifically, this invention relates to what is commonly called a lug or connector as a part of a mechanism for connecting a toilet seat with a toilet seat cover and, although the connecting mechanism of this invention is initially separate and distinct from the toilet seat and the cover, the mechanism nevertheless joins the seat and cover together for good operation and presents an appearance. of a structure which is fully integrated and coordinated with the toilet seat and its cover.

Heretofore, conventional mechanism for connecting a toilet seat and its cover consisted of two lugs, each of which had two screw holes through which wood screws would be inserted for fastening each lug to the seat cover. Each lug also embodied another hole through which a pin or pintle or rod could be inserted for connection to the conventional toilet seat post which was normally mounted at the rear of the toilet bowl. The pin or pintle or rod, as the case may be, interconnected the toilet seat to the toilet seat post so that the seat could be revolved in the conventional way about an axis at the rear of the toilet bowl. The lug, by being mounted on the same pin or pintle or rod, permitted the seat cover to be rotated in the conventional way to any position with respect to the toilet seat. However, such conventional equipments, in wide use in homes and business establishments, do not and would not provide appropriate coverage and protection for the mechanism, particularly the screw mechanism, against contamination and corrosion. Consequently,dust, dirt and other foreign matter accumulated around the screw parts and rendered them not alone unsightly in appearance, but also caused the mechanism to be subject to chemical action and corrosion. Therefore, the conventional arrangement and structure were not only difficult to clean, but it also became frozen" and it was difficult and sometimes virtually impossible to remove the screws for replacement of the lugs.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, improved mechanism in the form of a special lug structure for apparatus connecting a toilet seat with a toilet seat cover. This object may be accomplished by the provision of a lug mechanism which provides holes through which conventional screws may be inserted and also provides flaps which cover and protect the screws and conceal the screws from view. In accordance with the present invention, each lug and its component and related parts will resemble an integrated unit which appears to be part of the coupling mechanism for the toilet seat and its cover and nevertheless will be arranged so that each unit may be taken apart whenever desired to separate the toilet seat from its cover and to re-connect them whenever desired. This, according to the present invention, can be done rapidly and efficiently.

From another point of view, this invention provides an improved lug structure for connecting a toilet seat cover to its toilet seat. Each lug structure integrally embodies a pair of hinged flaps which can be rotated through a wide angle, such as so that the flap may be closed and positioned to conceal the head of the screw or opened and positioned so that the screw may be exposed when it is to be removed. According to this invention, each flap will be provided with a tongue which is arranged to firmly hold the flap in its fixed position to conceal the associated screw, and still is readily adjustable so that the flap may be opened whenever desired to remove the screw.

A form of lug manufactured according to the present invention will be a unitary structure embodying two spaced but aligned flaps each provided with a tongue and a guide, each flap being rotatable about an axis so that the flap may be shifted through about 180, so that a screw may be inserted and protected, or removed, as may be desired.

This invention will be better and more clearly understood from the more detailed explanation hereinafter following when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a perspective of a toilet seat cover and its lug mechanism in relation to a toi let seat;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective ofa unitary lug mechanism and its two integral flaps which are shown in their open aligned positions;

FIG. 3 shows another perspective of the lug mechanism, this view showing the flaps in their closed positions;

FIG. 4 represents a plan under-side view of the connecting mechanism surmounted on a toilet seat cover shown fragmentally;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lug mechanism taken along the lines V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows another cross-sectional view, similar to the view shown in FIG. 5, in which the flaps of the lug mechanism are shown in their closed positions;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side elevation of the lug mechanism;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a toilet seat and its cover illustrating a partial view of the lug mechanism interconnecting theseat and cover; and

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a rear perspective of a toilet bowl, toilet seat and toilet seat cover assembled according to this invention.

The same or similar reference characters will be used throughout the drawing and description to represent the same or similar parts wherever they may occur. Some of the figures of the drawing have been enlarged to render the structure more clearly understandable.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a toilet seat ST, is shown in dotted outline along with a toilet seat cover CV and two lugs or connectors CN. Each lug or connector CN includes two identical flaps FL which, in FIG. 1, are shown in their closed positions. Each lug CN also includes an opening CNO through which a pin or pintle or rod or other mechanism may be inserted so that the seat ST may be connected in the customary manner to the seat posts (not shown) which are affixed to the toilet bowl. When the pin or pintle or rod is employed and connected to the seat posts, the seat ST will be positioned atop the toilet bowl so that it may be rotated and raised through an angle exceeding some 90 whenever desired. Moreover, the pin, pintle or rod permits the cover CV to be rotated about the seat ST or about the toilet bowl, or both, as may be desired. The seat ST may include two bumpers BP, as shown, for maintaining an appropriate minimum spacing between the seat ST and the cover CV when the two are aligned parallel to each other.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing, the lug or connecting mechanism CN is shown as a separate and independent component. The lug or connecting mechanism CN is, in fact, a single or unitary structure, preferably made in one piece by molding processes applied to plastic materials, such as linear polyethylene. The lug CN has a two-part base structure CNB, half of which is on one side of the center line of the lug CN and the other half on the other side of the center line. Each lug CN has two spaced and aligned flaps each designated FL. Each flap is rotatable about its own axis or hinge HG. In FIG. 2, the two flaps FL are shown in their open positions while in FIG. 3 the two flaps FL are shown in their closed positions. The

, base CNB has rectangular openings each designated SCO, in which there are screw holes SCH. Each lug CN also has an opening CNO through which a pin or pintle or rod may be inserted which is to be coupled to the seat posts (not shown) affixed to the toilet bowl.

It is noted also that, although the flaps FL are rotatable about their respective hinges HG as will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the entire lug or connector mechanism CN is a single or unitary structure manufactured as a single part. All of the material may be, for example, linear polyethylene, as stated.

It will be also noted that each flap FL includes a protruding tongue segment TG and a protruding guide segment GD. The tongue segment T is slid or moved against the side wall of the connector CN when the flap FL is to be closed. When the flap FL is to be closed, the tongue TG will be inserted and positioned in a groove CNG within the lug CN, while the guide GD will be retained against a wall of the opening SCO. Thus, the flap FL will be maintained stationary in that position. Flap FL may be opened, however, by applying some limited physical pressure to move the flap FL upwardly to displace the tongue TG from the opening SCO on the underside of the lug CN, and flap FL may then be revolved about its hinge HG to the fully open position.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, it will be observed that the connector CN is positioned adjacent to the seat cover CV and that it is affixed to the cover CV by means of two threaded screws SC which may be, for example, self-tapping metal screws. These screws hold the lug CN stationary with respect to the seat cover CV. Each flap FL may be rotated about its hinge HG so as to overlie the head of each screw and protect it and conceal it from view. The tongue TG of each flap FL may be snapped into the opening CNG adjacent to the center region of the lug CN. At the same time, the guide GD will be retained against a wall of the opening SCO of each lug CN.

FIG. 6 shows the two flaps FL in their closed positions with their tongues TG snapped into the openings CNG, while the guides GD cooperate to retain the flaps FL in their fixed positions to conceal the internal screws SC and their heads SCD. When the flaps FL are open, as shown in FIG. 5, the screw heads SCH are exposed and, with the aid of a screw-driver, the screws SC may be removed.

FIG. 7 shows a side elevation of the lug mechanism CN.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the seat ST and its cover CV in their relative positions with respect to the lug CN.

It is observed that each flap FL, when overlying a screw head SCH to conceal it from view, is spaced from the base CNB of the lug CN so that, with the edge of a thin blade or with the end of a screw-driver, the flap FL may be moved by flexing the tongue TG. The flap FL may then be opened as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2 and 5. The screw SC may then be removed. A limited spacing between each fiap FL and base CNB is required for good operation in opening and closing the flap mechanism of the connector CN.

The connector mechanism has been described as preferably made of a plastic material such as linear polyethylene. One of its imporatnt properties is its flexibility even when made as a single or unitary element.

Furthermore, a plastic material may be made of any desired color and the color will be retained permanently with hardly any variation or discoloration with time. A plastic material is also easily cleaned and kept clean by the use of a damp cloth.

A form of pin or pintle suitable for insertion into each of the openings CNO for holding the seat ST affixed to the cover CV and to the seat posts of the toilet bowl is shown and described in a M.M. Stairs US. Pat. No. 3,526,907, issued Sept. 8, 1970, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. A suitable form of structure for connecting the seat post to the toilet bowl is shown, for example, in a Larry F. Wilham US. Pat. No. 3,449,774 issued June 17, I969, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a rear perspective of a toilet bowl TB having a toilet seat ST and a toilet seat cover CV assemlbed on, and connected to, the toilet bowl TB. The toilet bowl TB may be an elongated bowl, as shown, and it may be any form of toilet bowl whether elongated or not. It is shown as a floor-mounted bowl having a floor bolt (not shown) to which the base nut BN is connected to hold the bowl affixed to the floor. FIG. 9 illustrates two lugs CN which connect the seat ST to the cover CV. Two seat posts SP of a conventional type are shown mounted on the rear of the toilet bowl TB. Each seat post SP has a threaded member NT which enters an opening in the rear of the toilet bowl TB and a nut NT is employed to fasten the seat post SP to the bowl TB. FIG. 9 also illustrates, behind the rear RS of seat ST, two pins or pintles PP each of which may be separately inserted through openings respectively in the connector CN and in the seat post SP to affix the seat ST and its cover CV to the seat post SP. The pintles PP, because they are two separate components, may be separately inserted into the openings in the post SP and the connector CN whenever the seat ST and cover CV are to be joined to the bowl TB. On the other hand, both of the pintles PP may be removed whenever desired to separate the seat ST and cover CV from the bowl TB for cleaning or other purposes.

While this invention has been shown and described in certain particular arrangements merely for explanation and illustration, it will be clearly understood that this invention, together with its objects and features,

may be embodied in a wide variety of organizations, all within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination of a toilet seat, a toilet seat cover, a lug structure for joining said toilet seat to said seat cover, said lug structure comprising a unitary plastic material formed into a solid non-flexible post having a base extending from opposite sides from said post to provide two side extensions of said base, each side extension having a hole therein through which a fastener may be passed to join the lug structure to the seat cover, a pair of flaps integrated with the side extensions of said base positioned on opposite sides of said base, each flap being linearly hinged on said base to allow the flap to be rotated toward said post to a position to overlie the adjacent hole in the base or rotated about said hinge into another position so that said hole may be ex posed, each flap having a tongue extending laterally along a surface of the flap and said post having an opening into which the tongue may be inserted when the flap overlies the adjacent opening to retain said lug in the overlying position, and means for joining said flap structureto said seat. v, l y

2. The combination Bfliiim l in which the means for joining the lug structure to the toilet seat includes an opening iri the solid post through which a pintle may be inserted.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the opening in the solid post and the holes in the extension sides of the base are adjacent and continuous so as to be free of barriers therebetween.

4. The combination of a toilet seat mountable on a toilet bowl, two hinge posts for mounting the toilet seat on the toilet bowl, a toilet seat cover, two lug structures for joining the toilet seat to the toilet seat cover, pintle structure for coupling said lug structures to said hinge posts to enable the seat and the cover to be separately rotated to different positions above the bowl, each of said lug structures being formed of a unitary plastic material having a substantially non-flexible solid lug post which has a base and two side extensions each having a hole therein through which a fastener may be inserted to join the lug structure to the cover, each lug structure having a pair of flaps positioned on opposite sides of said base and hinged on said base to allow said flaps to be separately rotated toward said lug post to overlie the adjacent hole in the base or rotated separately in the opposite direction so that said hole may be exposed, each flap having a tongue extending laterally along a urface thereof and said lug post having an opening into vhich the tongue may be inserted when the flap overto the respective two hinge posts.

Claims

1. The combination of a toilet seat, a toilet seat cover, a lug structure for joining said toilet seat to said seat cover, said lug structure comprising a unitary plastic material formed into a solid non-flexible post having a base extending from opposite sides from said post to provide two side extensions of said base, each side extension having a hole therein through which a fastener may be passed to join the lug structure to the seat cover, a pair of flaps integrated with the side extensions of said base positioned on opposite sides of said base, each flap being linearly hinged on said base to allow the flap to be rotated toward said post to a position to overlie the adjacent hole in the base or rotated about said hinge into another position so that said hole may be exposed, each flap having a tongue extending laterally along a surface of the flap and said post having an opening into which the tongue may be inserted when the flap overlies the adjacent opening to retain said lug in the overlying position, and means for joining said lug structure to said seat.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the means for joining the lug structure to the toilet seat includes an opening in the solid post through which a pintle may be inserted.

4. The combination of a toilet seat mountable on a toilet bowl, two hinge posts for mounting the toilet seat on the toilet bowl, a toilet seat cover, two lug structures for joining the toilet seat to the toilet seat cover, pintle structure for coupling said lug structures to said hinge posts to enable the seat and the cover to be separately rotated to different positions above the bowl, each of said lug structures being formed of a unitary plastic material having a substantially non-flexible solid lug post which has a base and two side extensions each having a hole therein through which a fastener may be inserted to join the lug structure to the cover, each lug structure having a pair of flaps positioned on opposite sides of said base and hinged on said base to allow said flaps to be separately rotated toward said lug post to overlie the adjacent hole in the base or rotated separately in the opposite direction so that said hole may be exposed, each flap having a tongue extending laterally along a surface thereof and said lug post having an opening into which the tongue may be inserted when the flap overlies the adjacent opening to retain said flap in the overlying position.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the pintle structure comprises two separate pintles corresponding to the respective two hinge posts.