U.S. patent application number 12/156577 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for elevated toilet seat.
Invention is credited to Richard W. Schanz.
Application Number | 20080235858 12/156577 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39791805 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080235858 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schanz; Richard W. |
October 2, 2008 |
Elevated toilet seat
Abstract
An improved elevated hinged toilet seat with lid of simple
construction and ease of installation.
Inventors: |
Schanz; Richard W.; (St.
George, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARCUS G THEODORE, PC
466 SOUTH 500 EAST
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84102
US
|
Family ID: |
39791805 |
Appl. No.: |
12/156577 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11807052 |
May 25, 2007 |
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12156577 |
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60837134 |
Aug 14, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/236 ;
4/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 13/24 20130101;
A47K 13/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/236 ;
4/234 |
International
Class: |
A47K 13/24 20060101
A47K013/24 |
Claims
1. An elevated hinged toilet seat for a toilet bowl having a rim
surrounding an opening comprising: a. a toilet seat with a flat
planar bottom, a top with rounded edges associated with the flat
planar bottom to form an elevated seat surface of solid cross
section, and an open or closed front defining a center hole sized
to fit on a rim of a toilet bowl, b. a plurality of pedestals
integrally molded to the bottom of the toilet seat with cushions
designed to grip the rim of the toilet bowl, the number of the
pedestals dependent upon the tensile strength and length of the
toilet seat, and the height of the pedestals selected to provide an
elevated seat surface with minimal wobble during use, c. an
elevated hinge approximately the same height as the pedestals
affixed to the toilet seat structured to hingedly secure the toilet
seat to the rim of the toilet bowl so that the toilet seat will
raise and lower so that when the toilet seat is lowered, the
pedestals form multiple contacts with the rim of a toilet bowl to
elevate and support the toilet seat at an elevated height to make
it easier for a user to sit down on and get up from the elevated
seat surface, and d. a hinged lid with a top and underside sized to
cover the toilet seat, when not in use, the lid affixed to the
elevated hinge for raising and lowering.
2. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, including
cushions on the underside of the lid structured to absorb contact
with the seat to minimize banging when the lid is accidentally
dropped.
3. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of pedestals are symmetrically spaced about the bottom of
the toilet seat.
4. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the
toilet seat has an upper half molded out of one piece and a lower
half with integrally molded hollow pedestals, which are joined
together to form the toilet seat.
5. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the
toilet seat and pedestals are molded out of one piece.
6. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the
toilet seat is injection molded out of nylon, plastic, or similar
material.
7. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the
toilet seat is constructed of composite wood and plastic with
internal steel reinforcement structure embedded therein to add
tensile strength to provide a cleanable impervious surface.
8. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, wherein the
pedestals are approximately equal to, or in excess of, two inches
in height.
9. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 1, including
fasteners associated with the elevated hinges to secure removably
the elevated hinges to the toilet bowl rim.
10. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 9, wherein
the fasteners comprise bolts with rubber washers for centering and
screw nuts.
11. An elevated hinged toilet seat for a toilet bowl having a rim
surrounding an opening comprising: a. a molded toilet seat with i.
a flat planar bottom, a top with rounded edges associated with the
flat planar bottom to form an elevated seat surface of solid cross
section surrounding ii. a center hole sized to fit on the rim of a
toilet bowl, and iii. a plurality of pedestals on the bottom of the
toilet seat with cushion ends designed to grip the rim of the
toilet bowl; the number of the pedestals dependent upon the tensile
strength and length of the toilet seat, and the height of the
pedestals selected to provide an elevated seat surface with minimal
wobble during use; b. elevated hinges approximately the same height
as the pedestals affixed to the toilet seat to hingedly secure the
toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl so that the toilet seat
will raise and lower and the pedestals form multiple contacts with
the rim when the toilet seat is lowered to elevate and support the
toilet seat at an elevated height to make it easier for a user to
sit down on and get up from the elevated seat surface; and c. a lid
with a top and underside sized to cover the toilet seat, when not
in use, the lid affixed to the elevated hinge for raising and
lowering and including cushions on the underside of the lid.
12. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 11, wherein
there are two pedestals attached proximate the front of the toilet
seat opposite the hinges, and the pedestals are approximately 3
inches in height.
13. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 12, wherein
the toilet seat is constructed of injection molded plastic, nylon,
or similar material.
14. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 11, wherein
the toilet seat is constructed of composite wood and plastic with
internal steel reinforcement structure embedded therein to add
tensile strength to provide a cleanable impervious surface.
15. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 11, including
fasteners associated with the elevated hinges to removably secure
the toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl.
16. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 15, wherein
the fasteners comprise bolts with rubber washers for centering and
screw nuts.
17. An elevated hinged toilet seat for a toilet bowl having a rim
with a front and rear surrounding an opening comprising: a. an
injection molded plastic, nylon, or similar material, toilet seat
of one piece construction toilet seat with i. a flat planar bottom,
a top with rounded edges associated with the flat planar bottom to
form an elevated seat surface of solid cross section surrounding
ii. a center hole sized to fit on the rim of a toilet bowl, and
iii. a pair of pedestals on the bottom of the toilet seat with
cushion ends designed and positioned to grip the front of the rim
of the toilet bowl; the height of the pedestals selected to provide
an elevated seat surface with minimal wobble during use; b. an
elevated hinge approximately the same height as the pedestals
affixed to the toilet seat with fastener structure to hingedly
secure the toilet seat to the rear of the rim of the toilet bowl so
that the toilet seat will raise and lower and the pedestals form
multiple contacts with the rim when the toilet seat is lowered to
elevate and support the toilet seat at an elevated height to make
it easier for a user to sit down on and get up from the elevated
seat surface; and c. a lid with a top and underside sized to cover
the toilet seat, when not in use, the lid affixed to the elevated
hinge for raising and lowering and including rubber cushions on the
underside of the toilet lid.
18. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 17, the
pedestals are approximately 3 inches in height.
19. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 17, including
fasteners associated with the elevated hinges to removably secure
the toilet seat to the rim of the toilet bowl.
20. An elevated hinged toilet seat according to claim 19, wherein
the fasteners comprise bolts with rubber washers for centering and
screw nuts.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
the U.S. patent application entitled "Elevated Toilet Seat", filed
May 25, 2007 and assigned Ser. No. 11/807,052; which is a
continuation-in-part application of the provisional patent
application entitled "Elevated Toilet Seat", filed Aug. 14, 2006
and assigned Ser. No. 60/837,134.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to toilet seats. In
particular, it relates to an improved elevated hinged toilet seat
of simple manufacture and ease of installation.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Various toilet seats are known in the art. Cope, U.S. Pat.
No. 1,164,927, issued Dec. 21, 1915, is directed to a stamped metal
closet seat with a concave bottom and corresponding convex top seat
surface (Col 1, lines 54-56 embossed to extend oppositely from
their meeting plane). This Cope concave undersurface creates a
hollow, which if not supported allows the lip edges of the seat to
pass below the ridge of the toilet bowl. The Cope concave
undersurface was therefore associated with lugs to elevate the
bottom lip of the seat proximate the rim of the toilet bowl as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These lugs therefore do not elevate the top
surface of the toilet seat in excess of approximately 2 inches
above the toilet rim, but are approximately even with it as the
Cope toilet seat undersurface has an interior lip, which extends
slightly below the rim of the toilet bowl as shown in FIG. 2. To
elevate Cope to the height of applicant's invention described below
would require the lugs to be of an additional length of the
cross-sectional thickness of the solid seat. This would result in
lugs of a height which makes the mounted seat unstable, causing it
to slide off the toilet bowl during use with possible injury to the
user.
[0006] Further, the Cope concave undersurface associated with lugs
is difficult to clean, presenting a sanitation problem. In
addition, the Cope hinges with cast metal screws are unsightly and
would place too much strain on the vitreous toilet bowl making it
subject to braking. The Cope stamped sheet metal seat would also
not be strong enough to support portly users, making it likely to
bend. If made of cast metal to prevent bending, the cost and weight
would be prohibitive. Nor is the Cope metal seat comfortable as it
is cold to the touch.
[0007] Steadman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,050,472 issued Aug. 11, 1936
discloses another stamped sheet metal seat with cover of similar
design as Cope. It therefore suffers from the same deficiencies
discussed above.
[0008] Plonta, U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,566 issued Jul. 16, 2002
discloses a toilet seat lift kit method for elevating conventional
toilet seats with lift blocks, which are attached to the bottom of
the toilet seat. Toilet seats are generally made from one of two
materials. Plastic toilet seats are made from a type of
thermoplastic called polystyrene. The less expensive and more
common type of toilet seat is made from a blend of wood and
plastic. The wood is hardwood, usually maple or birch, which has
been ground up into the consistency of flour. This wood flour is
blended with a powdered plastic resin called melamine. Zinc
stearate is a third ingredient in wooden toilet seats. This
prevents the wood-resin mix from sticking to the mold in the
manufacturing process.
[0009] Consequently, the Plonta kits require fasteners to affix the
lift blocks to the toilet seat bottom surface, which may wobble or
have difficulty being secured to the undersides of toilet seats.
Toilet bowl rims are smooth and slightly convex and are about 1
inch to 1.5 inches wide. The Plonta kit blocks would very likely
slide off the bowl rims. In addition relying on an adhesive or
screws, or both, to secure them to the underside of the toilet seat
is impractical. The toilet seat is generally a half to three
quarters of an inch thick, which is too thin for screws, especially
for the blend of wood and plastic seats. If screwed into the
plastic seats, the seats are too brittle to provide a good
hold.
[0010] They also are generally positioned toward the front and/or
rear of the toilet seat, subjecting the toilet seat to extreme
tensile breaking stress; particularly with the composite wood and
plastic seats, which have no internal seat reinforcement structure.
As elderly users are now heavier and heavier, the likelihood of
injury from toilet seat breakage is present when the Plonta kit
places front and real block mounting on the composite wood and
plastic conventional seat.
[0011] Thom et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,838 issued Apr. 25, 2000
provides a toilet seat with raised hand arms to assist the infirm
in rising there from. Ellis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,989 issued Jan.
20, 1998 discloses another toilet seat with raised barrel back arms
to assist the infirm in rising there from. Both are designed for
insertion into to hold onto the bowl of conventional toilets.
[0012] Jackson, U.S. Des. No. 390,931 issued Feb. 17, 1998
discloses an insertable raised toilet seat designed for insertion
into and hold onto the bowl of conventional toilets. Hunt, U.S.
Des. No. 489,438 issued May 4, 2004 discloses another insertable
raised toilet seat designed for insertion into and hold onto the
bowl of conventional toilets.
[0013] Harrison, U.S. Des. No. 291,348 issued Aug. 11, 1987
discloses a hinged elevated toilet seat with no lid.
[0014] Light, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,338 issued Oct. 12, 1993
discloses a toilet height conversion apparatus including a mounting
block and a pivotally-connected raisable elevator onto which a
conventional toilet seat is attached. It employs a double hinged
seat and elevator construction, which is affixed to a conventional
toilet rim. Bemis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,211 issued Jul. 22, 1980
discloses another toilet seat elevator device including a mounting
block and a pivotally-connected raisable elevator onto which a
conventional toilet seat is attached. It also employs a double
hinged seat and elevator construction, which is affixed to a
conventional toilet bowl rim. Locarno, U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,112
issued Apr. 6, 1993 discloses a raised superimposed toilet seat
particularly of use for total hip arthroplasty patients. Locarno,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,445 issued Jul. 2, 1991 discloses another
raised superimposed toilet seat with a securing clamp. Smith et al,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,689 issued May 21, 1985 discloses a toilet seat
usable for both handicapped and nonhandicapped users selectively
raising either a conventional toilet seat or an elevated toilet
seat, both hingedly attached to a toilet bowl rim.
[0015] Cited for general interest is Francke, U.S. Pat. No.
5,191,660 issued Mar. 9, 1993 disclosing a device for attaching a
toilet elevator to the bowl of a toilet. Newcomer, U.S. Pat. No.
3,301,121, issued Jan. 31, 1967 discloses an anti-wobble hinge
assembly for securing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl rim.
[0016] None of the above references provides a hinged elevated
toilet seat of simple construction with lid that can be attached to
the toilet bowl rim without modification, and in the conventional
manner, by the user to provide a secure seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention comprises a hinged raised toilet seat
for a toilet bowl having a rim surrounding its opening that can be
attached to the rim. The toilet seat is sized to fit onto the rim
of a toilet bowl and has a top with rounded edges associated with a
flat planar bottom to form an elevated seat surface of solid cross
section defining a center hole. The thickness of the toilet seat is
dependent on the strength of the material from which it is
constructed, with reinforcement internal structure required for
materials, which lack tensile strength to support a user.
[0018] The toilet seat has a plurality of spaced around pedestals
formed into its flat planar bottom, which contact the rim of the
toilet bowl and raise the toilet seat approximately two or more
inches, when mounted, to make it easier for a user sitting down and
getting up. The number of pedestals is dependent upon the tensile
strength and length of the toilet. The number required is reduced
as the tensile strength of the toilet seat increases. Conversely,
the number increases as the length of the toilet seat increases.
For example, for solid plastic single piece construction, usually
only two pedestals at the front of the toilet seat are required to
hold the weight of a typical user. Two front pedestals are also
only required for particle board seats with internal linear steel
reinforcement structure. However, for longer toilet seat models or
for heavy duty use, additional pedestals are symmetrically spaced
around the flat planar bottom. The ends of the pedestals have
rubber cushions on their bottoms to contact the rim of the toilet
bowl and prevent slippage when in use.
[0019] The height of the pedestals varies, but is usually in excess
of two inches, and typically is approximately three inches in
height. However, the exact height is sized to provide an elevated
height sufficient to make it easier for a user to sit down on and
get up from the toilet seat. The exact height is also dependent on
the weight of a user, as the higher the pedestal, the more it may
wobble when used by a heavy user, necessitating lower pedestals or
an increased number of pedestals to more uniformly distribute the
user's weight along the rim of the toilet. (We may need this
language to support a formula resizing the pedestals in the
claims).
[0020] The pedestals and toilet seat are of unitary construction. A
single piece toilet seat with pedestals provides a rigid
construction, which will not come apart during use and is easy to
clean. Single piece construction is also quicker to install, and
avoids problems with shipping missing parts, or misplacement of
parts during assembly.
[0021] The toilet seat is hingedly attached to the toilet bowl with
an elevated hinge adapted to accommodate the lowered toilet seat to
allow the seat to lie parallel to the rim of the bowl. It also has
a lid also hingedly attached, which can be raised for use of the
toilet seat. In one preferred embodiment for heavy duty use, the
toilet seat is injection molded out of nylon or plastic with eight
at least 2 inch high pedestals molded as integral parts of the
seat.
[0022] In another preferred embodiment for use with standard users,
the toilet seat is injection molded out of nylon or plastic with
two approximately three inch high pedestals affixed to the front of
the toilet seat opposite the hinges.
[0023] In still another preferred embodiment, the toilet seat is
constructed out of composite wood and plastic embedded with
internal steel reinforcement structure to provide sufficient
tensile strength to minimize the number of pedestals required to
spread the weight load of a user.
[0024] The hinged raised seat is used in the similar manner of a
conventional toilet seat. The hinge connecting the lid and toilet
seat is first affixed to the toilet bowl top via conventional
fasteners. Then the hinged toilet seat and lid are either raised or
lowered. The attached drawings and specification description
provides more details of the device particularly adapted for use by
the elderly.
[0025] The present invention is therefore particularly adapted to
provide for the needs of the elderly who have trouble rising from a
conventional toilet seat. It is inexpensive to make, is readily
cleaned, and can be installed without special tools to raise the
toilet seat height when attached to a conventional toilet bowl.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred fastener.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a top view of the seat of the embodiment of FIG.
4.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] One preferred embodiment of the elevated toilet seat 10 is
shown in the attached drawings FIG. 1 (top view), FIG. 2 (side
view). It comprises a raised toilet seat system 10, which has the
surface 2a of the toilet seat 2 raised approximately two inches to
make it easier for sitting down and getting up. The toilet seat 2
is sized to fit onto the rim of a toilet bowl. It has a top surface
2a with rounded edges associated with a flat planar bottom 2b to
form an elevated seat 2 of solid cross section defining a center
hole 2c as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0034] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a hinged lid 1
attached to a toilet seat 2 with eight integral two inch high
pedestals 3 molded integral to its bottom 2b to contact a toilet
bowl when lowered for use. This embodiment is used to support very
heavy users, or where the seat 2 is constructed of a material with
lower tensile strength. The lid 1 has rubber cushions 1a on the
underside structured to contact the seat 2 and minimize banging,
when the lid 1 is accidentally dropped. The ends of the pedestals 3
have rubber cushions 3a on their bottoms to similarly cushion and
provide better contact with the rim of a toilet bowl. The hinge 4
has a cover 4a and connects the lid 1 and toilet seat 2 to the
toilet bowl. It is raised and specially adapted to accommodate and
position the raised toilet seat 2.
[0035] Use of pedestals 3 instead of other structures reduces the
weight of the toilet seat 2 so that it can be lifted easily. The
bottoms of the pedestal rubber cushions 3a are made of a rubber or
cushioning material designed to grip the top of the toilet bowl to
prevent slippage as well as cushion forces when the lid is
accidentally dropped.
[0036] Toilet lid fasteners 5 secure the hinge 4 of the seat 2 to
the toilet bowl. Preferred fasteners 5 are shown in more detail in
FIG. 3. They are a 5/16 inch.times.2 inch steel slotted head bolts
6 installed with the slotted head 7 down on each side of the hinge
4. A 5/16 inch.times.1 inch flat washer 8 is placed between the
bolt head 7 and bottom of the toilet bowl hole on each side of the
hinge 4. A 5/16 inch.times.V.sub.2 inch wedge rubber washer 9 is
placed between the bottom of the hinge and the toilet bowl. A 5/16
inch.times.1 inch washer is placed between the nut 11 and the
surface of the hinge 4 on each side, which centers the bolts 6 for
securing with 5/16 inch nuts 11.
[0037] This elevated toilet seat system 10 is used in a similar
manner as conventional toilet seats and avoids the need for
separate seat elevator means. It readily adapts a conventional
toilet for the needs of the infirm without expensive hardware. It
also is lightweight and installed in the conventional manner
without special tools.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an elevated toilet seat
system 10 with two pedestals 3 molded as part of the undersurface
of the open front seat 2 opposite the hinges 4. The seat 2 is
constructed of injection molded plastic or nylon with significant
tensile strength. The embodiment shown has a hinged lid 1 secured
by the hinges 4, which also attach the seat 2 to the rim of the
toilet bowl.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 showing
the fasteners 4 attached to fasteners 5 similar to those shown in
FIG. 3. The pedestals 3 have rubber cushions 3a on their bottoms to
better hold onto the rim of the toilet bowl.
[0040] Although illustrations FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show an open front
round toilet seat 2, an elongated open front style is also
contemplated for elongated toilet bowls as shown in FIG. 6. A
closed front end seat 2 shown in FIG. 1 is also contemplated.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a top view of the open front seat at of the
embodiment of FIG. 4. The hinges 4 are approximately 51/2 inches
apart. The length of the seat 2 is approximately 161/8 inches, with
a center opening of approximately 83/8 inches. The width of the
seat 2 is approximately 143/4 inches. The open front of the seat 2
is approximately 31/2 inches wide. The pedestals 3 and hinges 4
elevate the height of the seat 2 approximately 3 inches.
[0042] In this embodiment 10, the toilet seat 2 is constructed of
injection molded nylon or plastic with two front pedestals 3
approximately three inch high molded to the front of the toilet
seat 2, opposite the hinges as shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment 10
is light weight, easy to clean, and has sufficient tensile strength
to support most users.
[0043] In still another preferred embodiment 10, the toilet seat 2
is constructed of composite wood and plastic with internal steel
reinforcement structure 12 embedded therein to add tensile strength
as shown in FIG. 7. Steel reinforcement structure 12 may also
project into the pedestals 3, if added strength is required. This
embodiment is of unitary construction with the pedestals 3 molded
as part of the toilet seat 2.
[0044] It also includes two additional pedestals 3 between the
front pedestals 3 and the hinges as shown in FIG. 7 to spread the
weight of a user and prevent cracking of the seat 2 by heavier
users. For even heavier users, eight pedestals shown in FIG. 1 are
employed. The number of pedestals is thus dependent upon the
tensile strength of the seat 2 construction, its length, and the
weight of the anticipated user.
[0045] The above description and specification should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The claims
themselves recite those features deemed essential to the
invention.
* * * * *