U.S. patent application number 16/576211 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-25 for toilet seat reducer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Skip Hop, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ben Bearsch, John Healy, Janet Villano.
Application Number | 20210085135 16/576211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004439178 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210085135 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Healy; John ; et
al. |
March 25, 2021 |
TOILET SEAT REDUCER
Abstract
A toilet seat reducer includes a hub disposed on an underside of
a lid of a conventional toilet seat, a toilet seat, and at least
one pair of complementary magnets configured for detachably
coupling the hub and the toilet seat to each other. The toilet seat
includes an aperture smaller than an opening in the conventional
toilet seat, and the toilet seat is configured for mating with at
least a portion of the conventional toilet seat. Each magnet of the
pair of magnets is disposed on opposing locations on the hub and
the toilet seat. The toilet seat reducer includes a flexible urine
guard configured to collapse into at least a portion of the
aperture of the toilet seat when the lid is lowered onto the toilet
seat and return to an un-collapsed state when the lid and the
toilet seat are separated.
Inventors: |
Healy; John; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Bearsch; Ben; (Brooklyn, NY) ; Villano;
Janet; (Jersey City, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Skip Hop, Inc. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004439178 |
Appl. No.: |
16/576211 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 13/06 20130101;
A47K 13/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47K 13/06 20060101
A47K013/06; A47K 13/26 20060101 A47K013/26 |
Claims
1. A toilet seat reducer, comprising: a hub, comprising: opposing
first and second sides; and a perimetric wall disposed at a
periphery of at least a portion of the first side; and a toilet
seat, comprising: opposing first and second sides; and an aperture
smaller than an opening in a conventional toilet seat, the aperture
defined at least in part by a perimetric wall disposed at a
periphery of at least a portion of the first side and configured
for receiving at least a portion of the perimetric wall of the hub;
wherein, the second side of the hub is configured for coupling with
an underside of a lid of the conventional toilet seat; the second
side of the toilet seat is configured for mating with at least a
portion of the conventional toilet seat; and the perimetric wall of
the hub and the perimetric wall of the toilet seat are configured
for detachably coupling the hub and the toilet seat to each
other.
2. The toilet seat reducer of claim 1, wherein the hub and the
toilet seat detachably couple to each other when the lid is lowered
onto the toilet seat.
3. The toilet seat reducer of claim 2, wherein the toilet seat is
raised off the conventional toilet seat when the lid is raised.
4. The toilet seat reducer of claim 3, wherein the toilet seat
detaches from the hub when the toilet seat is lowered while the lid
is restrained by a user.
5. The toilet seat reducer of claim 2, wherein the toilet seat
detaches from the hub when the lid is raised while the toilet seat
is restrained by a user.
6. The toilet seat reducer of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat
comprises an outwardly extending tab configured for at least one of
raising the toilet seat, lowering the toilet seat, and restraining
the toilet seat.
7. The toilet seat reducer of claim 1, comprising at least one pair
of complimentary magnets disposed on opposing sides of the
perimetric wall of the hub and the perimetric wall of the toilet
seat for detachably coupling the hub and the toilet seat.
8. The toilet seat reducer of claim 1, comprising a flexible urine
guard wherein, at least a portion of the urine guard collapses into
at least a portion of the aperture when the lid is lowered onto the
toilet seat; and the urine guard returns to an un-collapsed state
when the lid and the toilet seat are separated.
9. A toilet seat reducer, comprising: a hub, comprising: opposing
first and second sides; and a perimetric wall disposed at a
periphery of at least a portion of the first side; and a toilet
seat, comprising: opposing first and second sides; an aperture
smaller than an opening in a conventional toilet seat, the aperture
defined at least in part by a perimetric wall disposed at a
periphery of at least a portion of the first side and configured
for receiving at least a portion of the perimetric wall of the hub;
and a urine guard; wherein, the second side of the hub is
configured for coupling with an underside of a lid of the
conventional toilet seat; the second side of the toilet seat is
configured for mating with at least a portion of the conventional
toilet seat; and the perimetric wall of the hub and the perimetric
wall of the toilet seat are configured for detachably coupling the
hub and the toilet seat to each other.
10. The toilet seat reducer of claim 9, wherein the hub and the
toilet seat detachably couple to each other and at least a portion
of the urine guard collapses into at least a portion of the
aperture when the lid is lowered onto the toilet seat.
11. The toilet seat reducer of claim 10, wherein the toilet seat is
raised off the conventional toilet seat when the lid is raised and
wherein the hub detaches from the toilet seat and the urine guard
returns to an un-collapsed state when the toilet seat is lowered
while the lid is restrained by a user.
12. The toilet seat reducer of claim 10, wherein the hub detaches
from the toilet seat and the urine guard returns to an un-collapsed
state when the lid is raised while the toilet seat is restrained by
a user.
13. The toilet seat reducer of claim 9, wherein the toilet seat
comprises an outwardly extending tab configured for at least one of
raising the toilet seat, lowering the toilet seat, and restraining
the toilet seat.
14. The toilet seat reducer of claim 9, comprising at least one
pair of complimentary magnets disposed on opposing sides of the
perimetric wall of the hub and the perimetric wall of the toilet
seat for detachably coupling the hub and the toilet seat to each
other.
15. A toilet seat reducer, comprising: a hub disposed on an
underside of a lid of a conventional toilet seat; a toilet seat
comprising an aperture smaller than an opening in the conventional
toilet seat, the toilet seat configured for mating with at least a
portion of the conventional toilet seat; and a pair of
complementary magnets configured for detachably coupling the hub
and the toilet seat to each other, wherein each magnet of the pair
of magnets is disposed on opposing locations on the hub and the
toilet seat.
16. The toilet seat reducer of claim 15, comprising a flexible
urine guard wherein, at least a portion of the urine guard
collapses into at least a portion of the aperture when the lid is
lowered onto the toilet seat; and the urine guard returns to an
un-collapsed state when the lid and the toilet seat are
separated.
17. The toilet seat reducer of claim 15, wherein the toilet seat
comprises an outwardly extending tab configured for at least one of
raising the toilet seat, lowering the toilet seat, and restraining
the toilet seat.
18. The toilet seat reducer of claim 16, wherein the hub and the
toilet seat detachably couple to each other when the lid is lowered
onto the toilet seat and wherein the toilet seat is raised off the
conventional toilet seat when the lid is raised.
19. The toilet seat reducer of claim 18, wherein the toilet seat
and the hub detach from each other when the toilet seat is lowered
while the lid is restrained by a user.
20. The toilet seat reducer of claim 18, wherein the toilet seat
and the hub detach from each other when the lid is raised while the
toilet seat is restrained by a user.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The instant disclosure is directed to toilet seats. More
specifically, the disclosure is directed to a toilet seat useable
in conjunction with a conventional toilet seat for potty-training
children.
SUMMARY
[0002] A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a toilet seat reducer
includes a hub disposed on an underside of a lid of a conventional
toilet seat, a toilet seat, and a pair of complementary magnets
configured for detachably coupling the hub and the toilet seat to
each other. In some embodiments, the toilet seat includes an
aperture smaller than an opening in the conventional toilet seat,
and the toilet seat is configured for mating with at least a
portion of the conventional toilet seat. In some embodiments, each
magnet of the pair of magnets is disposed on opposing locations on
the hub and the toilet seat.
[0003] Another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a toilet seat
reducer includes a hub and a toilet seat. In some embodiments, the
hub includes opposing first and second sides and a perimetric wall
disposed at a periphery of at least a portion of the first side,
and the toilet seat includes opposing first and second sides and an
aperture smaller than an opening in a conventional toilet seat,
wherein the aperture is defined at least in part by a perimetric
wall disposed at a periphery of at least a portion of the first
side and is configured for receiving at least a portion of the
perimetric wall of the hub. In certain embodiments, the second side
of the hub is configured for coupling with an underside of a lid of
the conventional toilet seat, the second side of the toilet seat is
configured for mating with at least a portion of the conventional
toilet seat, and the perimetric wall of the hub and the perimetric
wall of the toilet seat are configured for detachably coupling the
hub and the toilet seat to each other.
[0004] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the toilet seat
reducer includes a flexible urine guard configured to collapse into
at least a portion of the aperture of the toilet seat when the lid
is lowered onto the toilet seat and return to an un-collapsed state
when the lid and the toilet seat are separated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of a toilet seat reducer of the instant disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the toilet seat
reducer of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the toilet seat reducer of
FIG. 1 as viewed from the front;
[0008] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the toilet seat reducer of
FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side view of the toilet seat reducer of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 6 is another side view of the toilet seat reducer of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the toilet seat reducer of FIG. 1
as viewed from above;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the toilet seat reducer of FIG. 1
as viewed from below;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the toilet seat reducer of
FIG. 1 disposed on a conventional toilet illustrated in dashed
lines; and
[0014] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment of a urine guard for the toilet seat reducer of FIG. 1
illustrated in a collapsed state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] One or more non-limiting exemplary embodiments are disclosed
herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
numerals indicate like, but not necessarily identical, elements. It
should be clearly understood that the embodiments described with
reference to the drawings are merely exemplary in that any one or
more of them may be implemented in alternative manner as may become
apparent to a person of ordinary skills. The figures, wherein some
features may have been exaggerated or minimized to illustrate
details of particular components, are not necessarily to scale.
Specific structural and/or functional features and details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but should
rather be treated as a basis for teaching one of ordinary skills.
There is no intent, implied or otherwise, to limit the disclosure
in any way, shape or form to the embodiments illustrated and
described herein. Accordingly, any and all variants for providing
structures and/or functionalities similar to those described herein
are considered as being within the metes and bounds of the instant
disclosure.
[0016] FIGS. 1-8 illustrate various views of a non-limiting
exemplary embodiment of a toilet seat reducer 10 of the instant
disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates the toilet seat reducer 10 disposed
on a conventional toilet 12 represented by dashed lines.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, in a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment, the toilet seat reducer 10 includes a hub 14 and a
toilet seat 16. In some embodiments, the hub 14 is defined at least
in part by opposing first and second sides 18 and 20, respectively,
and a perimetric wall 22 disposed at an outer periphery 24 of at
least a portion of the first side 18. In some embodiments, the
perimetric wall 22 may be disposed at an outer periphery of both
the first and second sides 18 and 20, and may extend from the first
side 18 to the second side 20. In certain embodiments, the toilet
seat 16 is defined at least in part by opposing first and second
sides 26 and 28, respectively, and an aperture 30. In some
embodiments, the aperture 30 is defined at least in part by a
perimetric wall 32 disposed at an inner periphery 34 of at least a
portion of the first side 26 of the toilet seat 16. In some
embodiments, the perimetric wall 32 may be disposed at an inner
periphery of both the first and second sides 26 and 28, and may
extend from the first side 26 to the second side 28. In certain
embodiments, the aperture 30 is smaller than an opening in a
conventional toilet seat 36, and is configured for receiving at
least a portion of the perimetric wall 22 of the hub 14.
[0018] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the hub 14 is
disposed on an underside 38 of a lid 40 of the conventional toilet
seat 36. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the second side 28 of
the hub 14 is configured for fixedly or removably coupling with the
underside 38. For instance, in certain embodiments, a two-sided
tape (not shown) is used for attaching the hub 14 to the underside
38 of the lid 40. Other means and/or manners of coupling the hub 14
to the underside 38 of the lid 40 as may become apparent to one
skilled in the art are considered to be within the metes and bounds
of the instant disclosure. For example, other fastener types, in
addition to or instead of tape, may be used to couple the hub 14 to
the underside 38.
[0019] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the second side 28
of the toilet seat 16 is configured for mating with at least a
portion of the conventional toilet seat 36. In some embodiments,
the toilet seat 16 is configured to snugly fit over or mate with
the conventional toilet seat 36. In certain embodiments, the toilet
seat 16 includes one or more support structures 52 extending away
from the first side 26 of the toilet seat 16. In some embodiments,
the one or more support structures 52 are configured to abut the
rim of the opening in the conventional toilet seat 36. In certain
embodiments, the second side 28 of the toilet seat 16 is configured
for a snap fit on the conventional toilet seat 36. In some
embodiments, the second side 28 is configured to ensure a
slip-resistant coupling with the conventional toilet seat 36. Other
means and/or manners of mating and/or coupling the toilet seat 16
with the conventional toilet seat 36 as may become apparent to one
skilled in the art are considered to be within the metes and bounds
of the instant disclosure.
[0020] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the hub 14 and the
toilet seat 16 are configured for detachably coupling with each
other. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the hub 14 and the toilet
seat 16 include one or more pairs of complementary magnets 42
wherein the magnets 44 and 46 of each pair of magnets 42 are
disposed on substantially opposing locations on the hub 14 and the
toilet seat 16. In certain embodiments, the magnets 44 and 46 of
the pair of complimentary magnets 42 are disposed on substantially
opposite locations on the perimetric walls 22 and 32, respectively,
of the hub 14 and the toilet seat 16. Accordingly, when the lid 40
is lowered over the toilet seat 16, the magnets 44 and 46
detachably couple with each other whereby the hub 14 and the toilet
seat 16 are detachably coupled with each other. In some
embodiments, the hub 14 and/or toilet seat 16 may include a single
magnet, instead of a pair of magnets 44, 46. In other embodiments,
the hub 14 and/or toilet seat 16 may include three, four, or more
magnets. In addition to or instead of magnets, in some embodiments,
the hub 14 and the toilet seat 16 are configured with complementary
connectors for detachably coupling the hub 14 and the toilet seat
16 to each other. For instance, in certain embodiments, the hub 14
and the toilet seat 16 include complementary tabbed connectors or
complementary snap connectors. In some embodiments, the hub 14 and
the toilet seat 16 are configured for snug fitment, e.g.,
frictional coupling, with each other. Other means and/or manners of
detachably coupling the hub 14 and the toilet seat 16 with each
other as may become apparent to one skilled in the art are
considered to be within the metes and bounds of the instant
disclosure.
[0021] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the hub 14 and the
toilet seat 16 detachably couple to each other when the lid 40 is
lowered onto the toilet seat 16. Consequently, the toilet seat 16
will be raised off the conventional toilet seat 36 when the lid 40
is raised if a user does not forcibly decouple the hub 14 from the
toilet seat 16. In some embodiments, the toilet seat 16 will detach
from the hub 14 when the toilet seat 16 is lowered over the
conventional toilet seat 36 while the lid 40 is restrained or held
firmly by a user. In certain embodiments, the toilet seat 16 will
detach from the hub 14 when the lid 40 is raised while the toilet
seat 16 is restrained or held firmly by a user.
[0022] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the toilet seat 16
includes an outwardly extending tab 48 configured for at least one
of raising the toilet seat 16, lowering the toilet seat 16, and
restraining the toilet seat 16 such as for instance when
de-coupling the hub 14 and the toilet seat 16 from each other. In
some embodiments, the tab 48 is configured for removably attaching
or coupling the toilet seat 16 to the conventional toilet seat 36.
For instance, in certain embodiments, the tab 48 extends from an
outer periphery of the toilet seat 16 and snaps over or onto an
outer periphery of the conventional toilet seat 36.
[0023] In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the toilet seat
reducer 10 includes a substantially flexible urine guard 50
disposed on a front section of the toilet seat 16. In some
embodiments, the urine guard 50 is removably attached to or coupled
with at least a portion of the toilet seat 16. In certain
embodiments, the urine guard 50 is an integral component of, e.g.,
formed integrally with, the toilet seat 16. In a non-limiting
exemplary embodiment, such as for example illustrated in FIG. 10,
at least a portion of the urine guard 50 collapses or bends into at
least a portion of the aperture 30 of the toilet seat 16 when the
lid 40 is lowered over the toilet seat 16. Consequently, in some
embodiments, the urine guard 50 returns to an un-collapsed state
when the lid 40 and the toilet seat 16 are separated, i.e., when
the lid 40 is raised away from the toilet seat 16. The urine guard
50 may be or may include a compressible, resilient material, such
as silicone, in some embodiments.
[0024] In view thereof, modified and/or alternate configurations of
the embodiments described herein may become apparent or obvious to
one of ordinary skill. All such variations are considered as being
within the metes and bounds of the instant disclosure. For
instance, while reference may have been made to particular
feature(s) and/or function(s), the disclosure is considered to also
encompass any and all equivalents providing functionalities similar
to those disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings. Accordingly, the spirit, scope and intent of the instant
disclosure is to embrace all such variations. Consequently, the
metes and bounds of the instant disclosure are defined by the
appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *