TOILET SEAT ASSEMBLY WITH ELEVATED RING

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority benefit of Provisional Application No. 63/563,791 (Docket No. 010222-24010A) filed on Mar. 11, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to toilets. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a toilet seat assembly including an elevated ring.

BACKGROUND

Generally, elevated toilet seats may improve toilet accessibility and/or user comfort. However, there is an increased risk of waste soiling an underside of the seat or egressing between the seat and a bowl when an elevated seat is used. Particularly, the risk of waste soiling an underside of the seat or egressing may be most significant for male users sitting on the seat. Accordingly, there is need for an elevated toilet seat that reduces the risks of waste soiling an underside of the seat and/or egressing between the seat and bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure should become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet including a tank in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates a tankless toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet seat in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of a toilet seat taken along section line AA of FIG. 3 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a toilet seat taken along section line BB of FIG. 3 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of a toilet seat taken along section line CC of FIG. 3 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of a toilet seat taken along section line DD of FIG. 3 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a toilet seat in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of toilet seat in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross sectional view of a toilet seat taken along section line EE of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial perspective view of a toilet in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of a hinge assembly in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are toilet seats configured to prevent waste from soiling an underside of the seat and egressing between a seat and rim during use. Additionally, described herein are toilet seat assemblies and toilets including a seat configured to prevent waste from soiling an underside of the seat and egressing between a seat and rim during use. Specifically, described herein are elevated toilet seats including a body having a top surface configured to support a user, an inner wall extending downward from an inner periphery of the body, and an outer wall extending downward from an outer periphery of the body. According to the present disclosure, the inner wall may include a stepped geometry configured to disrupt the adherence of liquid waste (e.g., urine) flowing along the seat. Specifically, electrostatic forces (e.g., attraction due to opposing charges) may cause liquid waste to adhere to and flow or travel along a surface or surfaces of the seat. The stepped geometry included in the inner wall may advantageously disrupt the adherence of a flow of liquid waste along a bottom surface of the inner wall, causing the liquid waste to fall downwards (e.g., into a toilet bowl) and preventing the liquid waste from following (e.g., continuing to adhere to) a contour of the seat and subsequently soiling a bottom surface of the seat and/or egressing between the seat and rim. According to some examples of the present disclosure the stepped geometry may include a lip extending downward from a bottom surface of the inner wall, such that a bottom surface of the wall forms an overhang disposed between an inner surface of the inner wall and the lip. According to some examples of the present disclosure, the inner wall may include a landing and a step extending below the landing.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary embodiments of toilets that may include a toilet seat according to the present disclosure. The seats 131, 231 described hereinafter and included in the toilets 100, 200, respectively, may be a toilet seat according to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1 a toilet 100 including a base 110 (e.g., a pedestal, bowl, etc.) and a tank 120 is shown. The base 110 is configured to be attached to another object such as a drainpipe, floor, or another suitable object. The base 110 includes a bowl 111, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl 111, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl 111 to a drainpipe or sewage line. The tank 120 may be supported by the base 110, such as an upper surface of a rim 115. The tank 120 may be integrally formed with the base 110 as a single unitary body. In other embodiments, the tank 120 may be formed separately from the base 110 and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) to the base 110. The toilet 100 may further include a tank lid 122 covering an opening and inner cavity in the tank 120. The toilet 100 may include a seat assembly 130 including a seat 131 and a seat cover 132 rotatably coupled to the base 110. The toilet 100 may further include a hinge assembly 135.

Referring to FIG. 2, a tankless toilet 200 is shown. The toilet 200 includes a base 210 and a seat assembly 230 coupled to the base. The base 210 includes a bowl 211, a sump disposed below the bowl 211, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl 211 to a drainpipe or sewage line. The toilet 200 includes a waterline 240 that supplies the toilet 200 with water. The toilet 200 may further include a seat assembly 230 including a seat 231 and a seat cover 232 rotatably coupled to the base 210. The toilets 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided herein as non-limiting examples of toilets that may be configured to utilize aspects of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a toilet seat 300 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. According to some examples of the present disclosure, the toilet seat 300 may include a body 310, an inner wall 320 extending downward from an inner periphery of the body 310, and an outer wall 330 extending downward from an outer periphery of the body 310. The seat 300 may include a front 351, a back 352, a first (e.g., left) side 353, and a second (e.g., right) side 354 opposite the first side 353.

The body 310 may include a top surface 311 configured to support a user sitting on the seat 300 and a bottom surface 312 opposite the top surface. According to some examples, as shown in FIG. 3, the body 310 (e.g., and the top and bottom surfaces 311, 312) may have an oblong, oval, egg, or elliptical band or ring shape. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a hole or opening 340 may extend through the body 310 of the seat 300. An inner periphery 341 (e.g., inner perimeter, inner circumference) of the body 310 may define a shape and/or size of the opening 340 extending through the body 310.

In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the body 310 (and the top and bottom surfaces 311, 312) may be narrower at a front 351 of the seat 300 than the body 310 (and top and bottom surfaces 311, 312) at the back 352 of the seat 300. Similarly, the body 310 (and top and bottom surfaces 311, 312) may be wider at a back 352 of the seat 300 than the body 310 (and top and bottom surfaces 311, 312) at a front 351 of the seat 300.

In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the body 310 (and the top surface 311) may be inclined. Specifically, in some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 3, an inner periphery of the body 310 (and the top surface 311) may be disposed below an outer periphery of the body 310 (and the top surface 311). In other examples, the body 310 (and top surface 311) may be horizontal (e.g., substantially horizontal, level).

Still referring to FIG. 3, the toilet seat 300 may include an inner wall 320 extending or protruding downward from the inner periphery 341 of the body 310. According to some examples, the inner wall 320 may extend downward from a bottom surface 312 of the body 310. In some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner wall 320 may extend downward at an angle (i.e., with respect to a vertical axis). For example, a bottom of the inner wall 320 may be disposed closer (e.g., radially, horizontally) to a center of the opening 340 than a top of the inner wall 320. In other examples, the inner wall 320 may be vertical (e.g., substantially vertical), such that a top and bottom of the inner wall are disposed the same distance from the center of the opening 340. According to some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner wall 320 may extend downward along an entirety of the inner periphery 341 of the body 310. According to other examples, the inner wall 320 may extend downward along part of (e.g., less than all of) the inner periphery 341 of the body 310.

According to the present disclosure, the inner wall 320 may further include stepped geometry configured to prevent liquid waste from soiling an under side (e.g., bottom side, bottom surface) of the toilet seat and egressing (e.g., leaving, exiting) the toilet by traveling between the seat 300 and a rim or upper surface of a pedestal or base (e.g., 110, 210). For example, as described hereinafter in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner wall 320 may include a lip 321 extending or protruding downward from a bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320. The stepped geometry may be configured to prevent liquid waste from adhering to and/or soiling one or more of a bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320, a lip 321 of the inner wall 320, an outer surface of the inner wall 320, a bottom surface 312 of the body 310, an inner surface of the outer wall 330, a bottom surface 331 of the outer wall 330, and the like.

The toilet seat 300 may further include an outer wall 330 extending or protruding downward from an outer periphery 342 (e.g., outer perimeter, outer circumference) of the body 310. According to some examples, the outer wall 330 may extend downward from a bottom surface 312 of the body 310. In some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer wall 330 may extend downward at an angle (i.e., with respect to a vertical axis). For example, a bottom of the outer wall 330 may be disposed further (e.g., radially, horizontally) from a center of the opening 340 than a top of the outer wall 330. In other examples, the outer wall 330 may be vertical (e.g., substantially vertical), such that a top and bottom of the outer wall are disposed the same distance from a center of the opening 340. According to some examples, as best seen in FIG. 8, the outer wall 330 may extend downward along part of (e.g., less than all of) the outer periphery 342 of the body 310. In accordance with other examples, the outer wall 330 may extend downward along an entirety of the outer periphery 342 of the body 310.

Referring generally to FIGS. 4 and 5, cross sectional views of the toilet seat 300 are illustrated. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of the toilet seat 300 taken along section line AA of FIG. 3 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross sectional view of the toilet seat 300 taken along section line BB of FIG. 3 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner wall 320 may include stepped geometry configured to disrupt a flow of liquid waste along one or more of the inner surface 323 of the inner wall 320, the bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320, or a lip 321 of the inner wall 320. Specifically, the inner wall 320 may include a step or lip 321 extending or protruding downward from the bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320. According to the present disclosure, the lip 321 may extend downward from less than an entire width of the bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320. Specifically, in some examples, the lip 321 may extend downward from the bottom surface 322 along an outer edge or periphery of the bottom surface 322. The outer edge or periphery of the bottom surface 322 may be an edge or periphery of the bottom surface 322 furthest from the opening 340. Accordingly, the bottom surface 322 may form a landing or overhang 324 disposed between the step or lip 321 and an inner surface 323 of the inner wall 320. In accordance with some examples, the landing or overhang 324 may be a planar surface of the inner wall 320. The step or lip 321 may extend below the landing or overhang 324. The landing or overhang 324 may be disposed between the lip 321 and one or both of: the inner surface 323 of the inner wall 320; or the opening 340. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 5, a width 327 of the lip 321 may be smaller than a width 328 of the overhang 324. In accordance with other examples, the width 327 of the lip and the width of the overhang 324 may be the same. In accordance with yet other examples, the width 327 of the lip 321 may be larger than the width of 328 of the overhang 324. According to some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, a bottom edge 325 of the step or lip 321 may extend below a bottom surface 331 of the outer wall 330. According to some examples of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320 may be planar. For example, the bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320 may be horizontal (e.g., substantially horizontal, level).

Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in some examples, the lip 321 may extend downward from the bottom surface 322 along less than an entire length or circumference of the bottom surface 322. According to some examples, the lip 321 may only extend along a portion of (e.g., less than an entire circumference of) the inner wall 320 disposed at or near the front 351 of the seat 300. For example, the lip 321 may extend from the bottom surface along less than half the length (e.g., circumference) of the bottom surface In other examples, the lip 321 may extend downward from the bottom surface 322 along an entire length (e.g., circumference) of the inner wall 320.

According to some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, a height or distance (e.g., in the vertical direction) between the bottom surface 322 and/or overhang 324 and a distal end or bottom edge 325 of the lip 321 may vary along a length (e.g., circumference) of the inner wall 320. Specifically, a vertical distance between the bottom edge 325 of the lip 321 and the bottom surface 322 and/or overhang 324 of the inner wall 320 and/or the body 310 may vary along the length (e.g., circumference) of the inner wall 320. According to some examples of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lip 321 may have a largest height or extend downward a largest distance (e.g., from the bottom surface 322, from the body 310) at a front 351 of the inner wall 320. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, according to some examples of the present disclosure, the height of the lip 321 or the distance the lip extends downward may gradually decrease along the length of the inner wall 320 from a largest height or largest distance at a front 351 of the inner wall 320 toward a back 352 of the inner wall 320 and/or a back 352 of the seat 300.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lip 321 may have a largest height or extend downward a largest distance (e.g., from the bottom surface 322, from the body 310) at a center of the inner wall 320. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, according to some examples of the present disclosure, the height of the lip 321 or the distance the lip extends downward may gradually decrease along the length of the inner wall 320 from a largest height or largest distance at a center of the inner wall 320 toward the first side 353 and the second side 354 of the inner wall 320 and/or the first side 353 and second side 354 of the seat 300.

According to some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the height of the lip 321 and/or a distance the lip 321 extends downward may gradually decrease (e.g., toward the back 352 and/or sides 353, 354) until the lip 321 is coextensive with a bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cross section view of the front 351 of the toilet seat 300 taken along section line CC of FIG. 3 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7, a cross section view of the back 352 of the toilet seat 300 taken along section line DD of FIG. 3 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the toilet seat 300 may further include one or more (e.g., at least one) leg 360. Each leg 360 may extend or protrude downward from a bottom surface 312 of the body 310. In accordance with some examples of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the legs 360 may extended downward beyond a bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320, beyond a bottom edge 325 of the lip 321, and below a bottom surface 331 of the outer wall 330. Each leg 360 may be configured to contact an upper surface of a base or pedestal or rim of (e.g., 315) of a toilet and support the body 310, inner wall 320, and outer wall 330. Specifically, in some examples, as described hereinafter in more detail with respect to FIG. 11, the legs 360 may be configured to support the body 310, inner wall 320, and outer wall 330 such that they are elevated above an upper surface of the base or a rim (e.g., 315) of a toilet.

In some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the legs 360 may be disposed between the inner wall 320 and the outer wall 330. Specifically, each leg 360 may extend from a bottom surface 312 of the body 310 between the inner wall 320 and the outer wall 330. According to some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the toilet seat 300 may include four legs 360. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the seat 300 may include two legs 360 extending from the bottom surface 312 at a front 351 of the seat 300. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the seat 300 may include two legs 360 extending from the bottom surface 312 at a back 352 of the seat 300. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and any number of legs 360 may be included.

According to some examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, each leg 360 may abut and/or be disposed directly adjacent to the outer wall 330. According to some examples of the present disclosure, any one, any combination, or all of: the body 310: inner wall 320; lip 321; outer wall 330; or legs 360 may be integrally formed as a single unitary body. According to other examples of the present disclosure, one or more of the body 310, inner wall 320, lip 321, outer wall 330, and legs 360 may be separately formed and the body 310, inner wall 320, lip 321, outer wall 330, and/or legs 360 may be coupled or attached to one another to form the toilet seat 300.

Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective view of a toilet seat 300 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the toilet seat 300 may include a pair of hinge tabs 345 extending or protruding from the body 310 (e.g., bottom surface 312) and/or the outer wall 330. The pair of hinge tabs 345 may be disposed at a back 352 of the seat 300. As shown in FIG. 8, one of the pair of hinge tabs 345 may be disposed at the back 352 of the seat 300 on each of the first side 353 and the second side 354 of the seat 300.

As shown in FIG. 8, the seat 300 may further include a pair of hinge openings 346. Specifically, a hinge opening 346 may extend through each of the hinge tabs 345. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a line extending through the central axis of each of the pair of hinge openings 346 may be coincident. Each of the pair of hinge openings may be configured to receive a portion of a hinge (e.g., hinge pin) for rotatably coupling the seat 300 to a base or pedestal of a toilet.

Still referring to FIG. 8, the seat 300 may further include a hinge slot 347 configured to receive a portion of a hinge (e.g., hinge pin) for rotatably coupling the seat 300 to a base or pedestal of a toilet. According to some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the hinge slot 347 may be disposed at a back 351 of the seat 300. As shown in FIG. 8, the hinge slot 347 may be disposed between the pair of hinge tabs 345. According to some examples of the present disclosure, each of the pair of hinge tabs 345 and the bottom surface 312 of the body 310 may define bounds of the hinge slot 347. Coupling of a hinge assembly to the toilet seat 300 is described hereinafter in greater detail with respect to FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view of a toilet seat 400 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. The toilet seat 400 may be the same or substantially similar to the toilet seat 300 described above. The toilet seat 400 may include a body 410, an inner wall 420, and an outer wall 430. Each of the body 410, inner wall 420, and outer wall 430 may be the same or substantially similar to the body 310, inner wall 320, and outer wall 330, respectively, as described above, except, the body 410, inner wall 420, and/or outer wall 430 may have different profiles or contours (e.g., shapes) than those described above. In accordance with some examples of the present disclosure, the seat 400 may further included one or more legs 360 extending or protruding downward from the body 410 of the seat 400. In some examples, the seat 400 may include four legs 360. Each of the legs 360 may be disposed between the inner wall 420 and the outer wall 430.

Referring to FIG. 10, a cross sectional view of the toilet seat 400 taken along section line EE of FIG. 9 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, the inner wall 420 may include a lip 421 having a bottom edge 425 extending downward from a bottom surface 422 of the inner wall 420. The lip 421, bottom edge 425, and the bottom surface 422 may be the same as the lip 321, bottom edge 325, and bottom surface 422, respectively, described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the outer wall 430 may include a bottom surface 431.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 10, each of the legs 360 may extend beyond or below a bottom surface 422 of the inner wall 420, a bottom edge 425 of the lip 421, and a bottom surface 431 of the outer wall 430. Additionally, in some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the outer wall 430 may extend beyond or below a bottom edge 425 of the lip 421. According to some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a bottom edge 425 of the lip may be horizontal (e.g., substantially horizontal, level).

Referring to FIG. 11, a side view of a toilet 500 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the toilet 500 may include a toilet seat 501, a base or pedestal 510, a hinge assembly 520, and a toilet seat cover 530. The toilet seat 501 may be either of the toilet seats 300 and 400 described herein. For ease of explanation, the toilet 500 is described hereinafter as including the toilet seat 300; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the toilet seat 501 may also be the toilet seat 400 described above.

Referring to FIG. 11, the pedestal or base 510 includes a bowl 511, a receptacle or sump 512 disposed below the bowl 511, and a trapway 515 configured to fluidly connect the bowl 511 to a drainpipe or sewage line. According to the present disclosure, the base 510 may further include a rim 513 extending around the bowl 511. The base 510 may further include an upper surface 514 configured to support a tank (e.g., 120) and the toilet seat 501. Specifically, an upper surface 514 of the rim 513 may support the toilet seat 501. In accordance with the present disclosure, the stepped geometry of the toilet seat 300, specifically, the bottom surface 322 of the inner wall 320, the overhang 324, and/or the lip 321 may advantageously disrupt or stop the adherence of liquid waste flowing along the inner wall 320, bottom surface 322, and/or lip 321, causing liquid waste to, for example, fall into the bowl 511, preventing liquid waste from flowing between the inner wall 320 and the rim 513 (e.g., to an outer surface of the inner wall 320, to a bottom surface 312 of the body 310, to the outer wall 330, out of the toilet 500).

As shown in FIG. 11, each of the legs 360 may be configured to contact or abut the upper surface 514 of the rim 513. The legs 360 may be configured to contact the upper surface 514 of the rim 513 and support the body 310, inner wall 320, and outer wall 330 of the seat 300. Specifically, the legs 360 may be configured to support the seat 300 such that the body 310, inner wall 320, and outer wall 330 are elevated or disposed above the upper surface 514 of the rim 513.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, the legs 360 may be configured to support the body 310 such that the top surface 311 of the seat is disposed a predetermined distance above the upper surface 514 of the rim 513. Specifically, the legs 360 may be configured to support the top surface 311 of the seat a predetermined distance above the upper surface 514 of the base 510 to comply with government regulations and sitting height requirements for those with disabilities. According to some examples, the legs 360 may support the body 310, such that, a top surface 311 of the seat 300 is disposed more than 1 inch, more than 1.5 inches, more than 2 inches, more than 2.5 inches, or 3 or more inches above an upper surface 514 of the rim.

According to some examples, in conjunction with a height of the top surface 311 above the upper surface 514 of the rim 513 a predetermined leg 360 height may be required. According to some examples, each leg 360 may extend downward more than 1 inch, more than 1.5 inches, more than 2 inches, more than 2.5 inches, or 3 or more inches from the bottom surface 312 of the body 310. Similarly, according to some examples, in conjunction with a height of the top surface 311 above the upper surface 514 of the rim 513 and a length of the legs 360, the inner wall 320 and the outer wall 330 may extend downward a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 312 of the body 310.

According to some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the inner wall 320 and the lip 321 may be disposed above the bowl 511 of the toilet 500. Specifically, the inner wall 320 and the lip 321 may be disposed within the rim 513 of the base 510, such that, when adherence of a flow of liquid waste along the inner surface 323 and/or bottom surface 322 of the wall is disturbed, the liquid waste falls into the bowl 511.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the hinge assembly 520 may be coupled to the base 510, the seat 501, and the seat cover 530 and may rotatably couple to seat 501 and the seat cover 530 to the base 510. The hinge assembly 520 is described below in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 12 and 13.

Referring to FIG. 12, a partial perspective view of a toilet 500 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. In accordance with some examples of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the hinge assembly 520 may include a pair of hinge towers 540 and a pin assembly 550. The pair of hinge towers 540 may be coupled to the upper surface 514 of the base 510 and to the pin assembly 550. According to some examples, as is described hereinafter with respect to FIG. 13, the hinge towers 540 may be disposed below the pin assembly 550 and coupled to a bottom of the pin assembly 550. According to some examples, the pair of hinge towers 540 may be coupled to and support the pin assembly 550, such that, the pin assembly 550 is elevated above an upper surface 514 of the base 510. The pin assembly 550 may be disposed above and extend between the pair of hinge towers 540. Specifically, the pair of hinge towers 540 may support the pin assembly 550 above the upper surface 514 of the base 510, such that an opening or gap 516 is formed or exists between the upper surface 514 of the base 510, the pin assembly 550, and the pair of hinge towers 540. In accordance with some examples, a height of the hinge towers 540 may be determined in consideration of a seat height (e.g., vertical distance between the top surface 311 of the seat 300 and the upper surface 514 of the base 510). The pin assembly 550 may rotatably couple the seat 501 and the seat cover 530 to the hinge towers 540 (and thus the upper surface 514 of the base 510 when the hinge towers 540 are coupled to the base 510). According to some examples, as described hereinafter with respect to FIG. 13, the pin assembly 550 may be disposed in the hinge slot 347 at the back 352 of the seat 300.

Referring to FIG. 13, an exploded view of a hinge assembly 520 is illustrated in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. As noted above and illustrated in FIG. 13, the hinge assembly 520 may include a pair of hinge towers 540 and a pin assembly 550. As shown in FIG. 13, each of the hinge towers 540 may include a foot 541 configured to be coupled to the upper surface 514 of the base 510 and a shaft 542 (e.g., vertical shaft). According to some examples, the shaft 542 may extend in a vertical (e.g., substantially vertical) direction. In some examples, the shaft 542 may be inserted into a hole 543 (e.g., disposed in an upper surface of the foot 541) and extend or protrude upward from the foot 541. In other examples, the shaft 542 may be integrally formed with the foot 541 and extend or protrude upward from the foot 541.

Still referring to FIG. 13, in accordance with some examples, the pin assembly 550 may include a hollow channel 551, a locking mechanism 552, and a pair of dampers 553. According to some examples, the hollow channel 551 may include a pair of tower coupling holes 554. The pair of tower coupling holes 554 may be disposed along a bottom of the hollow channel 551. Each of the pair of tower coupling holes 554 may be configured to receive a shaft 542 of one of the hinge towers 540 for coupling the hinge tower 540 and the pin assembly 550. Further, the hollow channel 551 may include a cavity configured to receive the locking mechanism 552 and the pair of dampers 553. According to some examples, the pin assembly 550 and specifically the hollow channel 551 may be disposed in the hinge slot 347 disposed at a back 352 of the toilet seat 300.

In accordance with some examples of the present disclosure, each of the pair of dampers 553 may be disposed within (e.g., the cavity of) the hollow channel 551. One of the pair of dampers 553 may be disposed at each of opposite ends of the hollow channel 551. According to some examples, a portion of each of the pair of dampers 553 may extend or protrude out of an opening at a respective end of the hollow channel 551. According to some examples, a portion of each of the dampers 553 extending outside of the hollow channel 551 may be inserted into a hinge opening 346 disposed on a respective side of the toilet seat 300. Additionally, the portion of each damper 553 extending from the hollow channel 551 may also extend into openings formed in the seat cover 530, rotatably coupling the seat cover 530 to the pin assembly 550.

Referring to FIG. 13, the locking mechanism 552 may be disposed within the hollow channel 551 and may be configured to selectively lock or maintain a position of the pair of hinge towers 540 and/or the pair of dampers 553 (i.e., and thus the toilet seat 300 and seat cover 530) with respect to the hollow channel 551. According to some examples, the locking mechanism 552 may include a button 555. The button 555 may be disposed in a button opening 556 included in the hollow channel 551. The locking mechanism 552 may further include one or more biasing members 557 (e.g., springs). In a first state, the biasing members 557 may apply (e.g., an axial) force on each of the pair of dampers 553 toward a respective end of the hollow channel 551, maintaining a position of the dampers 553 with respect to the hollow channel 551 and maintaining a position of a portion of each of the dampers 553 within a respective hinge opening 346 included in the seat 300. When the button 555 is pressed (e.g., depressed), the biasing members 557 may be compressed and each of the dampers 553 may be withdrawn from a respective hinge opening 346, allowing the seat 300 and seat cover 530 to be removed from the hinge assembly 520.

When a component, device, element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being “configured to” meet that purpose or to perform that operation or function.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.