Abstract:
An apparatus for a toilet seat hinge assembly has a shroud, a base plate, a pin or pins, two bolts, and two threaded nuts. The shroud has a contoured surface and molded bolt tracks. The base plate has a bolt entry opening and a bolt guide. The pin, or pins, are configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat and optionally a toilet seat cover. The two bolts each have a threaded shaft and a head where the heads are either over-molded or configured to engage the bolt entry opening and the bolt tracks of the shroud. The two threaded nuts are configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts. The apparatus provides a smoothly contoured, relatively joint-free surface for easy cleansing and maintenance of the hinge area of a toilet.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention is generally related to the field of plumbing fixtures. Specifically, the invention is related to hinge assemblies for toilet seats and covers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Improving the maintenance, the cleanliness and the sanitation features of conventional toilets has been the subject of many efforts to provide improved toilet seats, toilet bowls and means for connecting them. It has been found that cleaning and sanitizing is complicated by the intricacies of separate hinge-like interconnections between the pivoted seat ring and the flange of a toilet bowl, and by exposed bolt heads and bolt covers. These components typically create excessive joint lines, which, in turn, result in hard to clean grime lines. In many installations the problems are aggravated by the hinge-like interconnection of a separate seat cover mounted above the seat for independent rotation relative thereto. Access to and cleaning of the cluttered interconnections is difficult and inconvenient and maintenance in that area is often distasteful. Therefore, a need exists for an improved toilet seat mounting assembly that provides a smooth, uninterrupted cleaning surface. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, an apparatus is provided, having a toilet seat hinge assembly comprising a shroud, a base plate, a pin configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat, two bolts, and two threaded nuts. In some embodiments, the shroud comprises a contoured surface and molded bolt tracks. In some embodiments, the base plate comprises a bolt entry opening and a bolt guide. In some embodiments, each bolt comprises a threaded shaft and a head, where the heads are configured to engage the bolt entry opening and the molded bolt tracks. In some embodiments, the two threaded nuts are configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts. In other embodiments, the threaded nuts are elongated, and may optionally have set screws or some intentionally cross-threaded or deformed threads to lock-set the nuts to the bolts. 
         [0004]    In some embodiment, the molded bolt tracks are configured to receive the heads of the bolts such that when a turning force is applied to the nuts engaged on the threaded shafts of the bolts, the bolt tracks prevent the bolts from turning. In other embodiments, a distance between the bolts is variable via movement of the bolts in the bolt tracks and bolt guides. 
         [0005]    In yet other embodiments, the contoured surface of the shroud is a smoothly contoured surface that covers the heads of the bolts. The contoured surface also provides a wipable surface that may be joint-free, whereas the covering element of the fastening components includes no joint lines to eliminate potential grime lines. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises two bushings configured to receive the bolts and to be received by the seat mounting holes of a toilet. In some other embodiments, the apparatus further comprises two washers configured to receive the bolts. The connecting pin of the apparatus may comprise two pins. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a toilet seat assembly, wherein the pin interconnects the shroud, the toilet seat, and the toilet seat cover. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising a toilet seat hinge assembly comprising, a shroud comprising a contoured surface, a pin configured to interconnect the shroud to a toilet seat, two over-molded bolts each comprising a threaded shaft, and two elongated threaded nuts configured to engage the threaded shafts of the two bolts. In some embodiments, the bolts each comprise a head and the shroud comprises solid end sections to accommodate the over-molding of the bolt heads, such that when a turning force is applied to the elongated nuts engaged on the threaded shafts of the bolts, the over-molding prevents the bolts from turning. In other embodiments, the bolts each comprise a head and the heads are over-molded into the shroud such that the shroud and the bolts form a single, contiguous item. 
         [0008]    In yet another aspect, a molded bushing tree provides a variety of bushing sizes to correspond to toilet seat mounting holes, which typically vary among toilet fixtures. This feature allows for an enhanced snug fit of the overall hinge/seat assembly to a wider range of toilet fixtures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the rear of a toilet, toilet seat cover, toilet seat ring, hinge and shroud, with a shroud cut-away view showing bolt tracks and bolt guides to accommodate adjustable bolt locations, according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a single shroud and mounting apparatus, according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a shroud mounting apparatus showing the recessed bolt track and bolt guides, according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a shroud mounting apparatus showing a single bottom plate with bolt entry-holes and bolt guides, according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of an alternative shroud mounting apparatus showing two separate bottom plates with bolt guides, according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a section view of a shroud/toilet seat hinge mounting apparatus along line AA of  FIG. 2  showing the recessed bolt track, according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a section view of a custom length nut having an optional set screw and intentional deformed end threads to prevent reversal and loosening of the nut, according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the rear of a toilet, toilet seat cover, toilet seat ring, hinge, and shroud with fixed over-molded bolts, according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a shroud mounting apparatus having fixed bolt positioning, according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is aside view of a toilet seat hinge mounting apparatus showing fixed over-molded bolts, according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a molded tree and attendant bushings, according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to the figures, exemplary embodiments of an adjustable, dynamic, bolt position, hinge apparatus for the connection of a toilet seat and cover to a toilet are described.  FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a toilet, toilet seat cover, toilet seat ring, and hinge mechanism, according to one embodiment. The toilet seat cover  105  is shown as being connected to the toilet seat ring  110  via pins  112 ,  113 . The pins  112 ,  113 , in turn, are connected to a hinge mechanism  120 , which includes a shroud  125 , a shroud bottom plate  130 , bolts  140 ,  141 , and nuts  155 ,  156 . The hinge mechanism  120  may also include a shroud shield  160 . Each of these features is described in greater detail below by reference to  FIGS. 2-8 . 
         [0021]    The hinge mechanism  120  is the connector for the toilet seat ring  110  and toilet seat cover  105  to the toilet  103 . As noted above, one feature of the hinge mechanism  120  is the shroud  125 . As shown by  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  6 , the shroud  125  is a contoured surface that, when in place on the toilet  103 , provides a smooth transition that reduces or eliminates grime lines typically associated with traditional style toilet seat hinges. The contoured surface may be a single, uninterrupted surface, that is also a wipable surface. As used herein, the term “wipable” refers to a surface that may be easily wiped without sharp edges or corners so that the full surface may be wiped with a cleaning cloth or sponge to remove residue. In other words, the contoured surface of the shroud  125  is a smooth surface, facilitating cleansing and sanitation, and easy wiping of the surface. Together, the shroud  125  and a shroud shield  160  provide a housing and, thus, full concealment, for the other fastening components of the hinge assembly, such as the bolts  140 ,  141  and their connecting surfaces. The single piece shroud  125  provides enhanced structural stability to tie hinge assembly as a whole, and may have optional internal ribbing  537  for added strength and support. 
         [0022]    As shown in the breakaway portion of  FIG. 1 , the hinge mechanism  120  has a single bottom plate  130  to facilitate the concealed fastening of the hinge mechanism  120  to the toilet  103 . The single bottom plate  130  has bolt guides  133 ,  134 . In other embodiments, a hinge mechanism  520  may employ two separate bottom plates  530 ,  531  and bolt guides  533 ,  534  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the bottom plate  130  also includes bolt entry openings  131 ,  132 . The bolt entry openings  131 ,  132  allow for a bolt head  140 ,  141  to be inserted through the bottom plate  130 , and positioned along the bolt guides  133 ,  134  by sliding back and forth in the guides  133 ,  134 . The size of the bolt guides  133 ,  134  are such that the head of a bolt  140 ,  141  is secured within the hinge mechanism  120  and is prevented from pulling out of the bolt guides  133 ,  134  when secured in place on the toilet  103 . Alternatively, the separate bottom plates  530 ,  531  may have bolt entry openings at the start of the bolt guides which extend in opposite directions from the bolt entry openings. In such an alternative embodiment, the bolt entry opening is sized to accommodate entry of the head of a bolt into the shroud, and the bolt guides are sized in a manner similar to that described to facilitate retention of the bolt head in the shroud. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-4  and  FIG. 6 , bolt tracks  170 ,  171  are formed into an upper inner surface of the shroud  125 , and correspond in position to the bolt guides  133 ,  134 . The bolt tracks  170 ,  171  are sized to accommodate the head of a bolt  140 ,  141 , such that when a nut is turned onto the threads of a bolt  140 ,  141 , the bolt tracks  170 ,  171  prevent the bolt  140 ,  141  from turning, providing for ease of installation. Additionally, the bolt tracks  170 ,  171  act as a guide for the bolt head  140 ,  141  as it slides into position within the bolt guides  133 ,  134 . Additoinally, the bolt tracks  170 ,  171  provide increased stability to the overall assembly. The bolt tracks  170 ,  171  and the bolt guides  133 ,  134  allow the distance of the bolts  140 ,  141  to one another to be adjustable (i.e. dynamic), and thereby accommodate various spacings between toilet seat mounting holes in toilets. Such spacing in toilets may vary from brand to brand and even between different toilets of the same model, due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the fabrication of toilets and the difficulties of casting porcelain. The ability to accommodate the various spacings in toilet seat mounting holes, provides for a “universal” application of the assembly in many different toilet applications. 
         [0025]    The bolts  140 ,  141  can be of a variety of configurations. The heads of the bolts  140 ,  141  are shown in a number of the figures to have a square head to securely engage the bolt track  170 ,  171  of the shroud  120 . However, the shape of the head of a bolt is not necessarily limited to a square configuration. The only limitation to the head shape, is that when a nut is turned onto the threads of the bolt, the shape of the head of the bolt is configured in such a manner as to affect the engagement of the head of the bolt with the bolt track so that the bolt is prevented from turning as the nut is tightened. Thus, the shape of the head of the bolt may range from oval, to triangle, square, rectangle, pentagonal, and the like. The shape of the head may also be a circular shape with opposing sides being flattened such that when engaged in the bolt track the flattened sides prevent the bolt from turning. Optionally, the end of a bolt track may be contoured to complement the shape of the head of the bolt and aid in preventing undesired turning of the bolt when tightening a nut. The interfacing fit between the bolt head and the bolt track also adds stability to all components of the assembly. 
         [0026]    The shaft of the bolts  140 ,  141  are inserted through the seat mounting holes provided in the toilet  103 . The holes may optionally be lined with a bushing  145 ,  146 , to fill void space thereby providing a tighter fit for the bolt  140 ,  141 , and resulting in less movement of the seat ring  110  and cover  105 , when in place on the toilet. Nuts  155 ,  156  are used on the bolts  140 ,  141 , to secure them and the whole seat ring  110 , cover  105 , and hinge  120  assemblies to the toilet. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 , and  7 , the nuts  155 ,  156  may be elongated thus covering a larger section of the bolts  140 ,  141  than traditional nuts, although traditional nuts may be used. A washer  150 ,  151  may optionally be used between the nut  155 ,  156  and the toilet  103  to provide a tighter connection with less likelihood of loosening. In some embodiments, the washer  150 ,  151  may be made of a compressible material to provide an additional lock feature. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6  show the elongated nuts  155 ,  156 , according to one embodiment. As described, the elongated nuts  155 ,  156  serve several functions including, but not limited to tightening the bolts  140 ,  141  to secure the hinge mechanism  120  and thus the seat assembly to the toilet  103 , and providing additional structural integrity to the bolts  140 ,  141 .  FIG. 7  illustrates optional mechanisms for securing the nut  755  to a bolt  140 ,  141  to prevent reversal of the nut  755  from the threads of the bolts  140 ,  141 , which would then lead to loosening of the seat mechanism. According to one embodiment, a set screw  760  may be inserted through the side of the nut  755 , and to seat against the threads of the bolts  140 ,  141 . According to another embodiment, the last turn, or last several turns  771 , of the threads  770  of the nut  755  may be cross-threaded, or other wise deformed, to cause a mismatch with the threads of the bolts  140 ,  141 , thus providing a mechanism for preventing reversal of the nut  755  from the bolts  140 ,  141 . This feature is accomplished due to the custom increased length of the nut, compared to conventional toilet seat mounting nuts. Nut length may be designed for the base of the nut to closely align with the bottom of the bolt, after taking into account industry standard thickness of toilet porcelain. To facilitate such cross-threading and/or deformation, the bolts and nuts may be made of plastic materials such as polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, silicone, and the like, and mixtures or blends thereof. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pins  112 ,  113  may be separate pins, that may be inserted through passages  114 ,  115  in the seat ring  110  and into apertures  116 ,  117  (not shown in  FIG. 1  due to orientation of the view) in the cover  105 , and into apertures  109 ,  111  ( 111  not shown due to orientation) in the shroud  125 . Alternatively, the pins  112 ,  113  may form a single pin, that may be inserted through the passages  114 ,  115  in the seat ring  110  and into the apertures  116 ,  117  in the cover  105 , and into the apertures  109 ,  111  in the shroud  125 , via a through hole in the cover  105  (not illustrated). The passages  114 ,  115  in the seat ring  110  are formed in a relief section  118  of the seat for such connection purposes. 
         [0029]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , a frontal view of the hinge assembly  120  is shown. The hinge assembly  120  may have a cover shield  160  at its front to facilitate injection molding of a “hollow” or encapsulated piece, and to conceal the inside area of the shroud  125 . The cover shield  160  is configured to leave an open access area  161  for the insertion of pins  112 ,  113 . As noted above, the pins  112 ,  113  may be separate, as shown, or they may form a single pin. The cover shield  160  may be attached by any method known to those of skill in the art such as by gluing, snap-in connections, or heat or sonic welding, depending upon the materials used. 
         [0030]    In another aspect, a fixed bolt position hinge apparatus is illustrated by  FIGS. 8-10 .  FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a toilet, toilet seat cover, toilet seat ring, hinge, and shroud mechanism according to one embodiment. The toilet cover  805  is shown as being connected to the toilet seat ring  810  via pins  812 ,  813 . The pins  812 ,  813  in turn are connected to a hinge mechanism  820 , which includes a shroud  825 , bolts  840 ,  841 , and nuts  855 ,  856 . Each of these features is described in greater detail below. 
         [0031]    The hinge mechanism  820  is the connector for the toilet seat ring  810  and toilet seat cover  805  to the toilet  803 . As noted above, one feature of the hinge mechanism  820  is the shroud  825 . As shown by  FIGS. 8-10 , and as previously described, the shroud  825  is a single contoured surface that, when in place on the toilet, provides a smooth transition that reduces or eliminates grime lines typically associated with traditional style toilet seat hinges. The single contoured surface of the shroud  825  provides an exceptionally smooth, continuous surface, facilitating cleansing and sanitation and easy wiping of the surface. Additionally, the single shroud  825  provides structural stability to the overall hinge mechanism  820 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the hinge mechanism  820  has shroud  825  with solid bottom end sections  830 ,  831 . The solid end sections  830 ,  831  accommodate bolts  840 ,  841 , which are over-molded into the hinge mechanism, within these solid end sections. The shroud  825  may optionally have, internal ribbing  837  to provide additional support and rigidity to the shroud  825  between the solid end sections. 
         [0033]    In such embodiments, the hinge mechanism  820  includes shroud  825  with solid portions which allow for over-molding the head of the bolts  840 ,  841 , such that the bolts become an integral part of the shroud  825 . Due to over-molding, the bolt  840 ,  841  is prevented from turning upon engagement with and subsequent tightening of the nuts  855 ,  856 . 
         [0034]    The bolts  840 ,  841  can be of a variety of configurations. For example, the heads of the bolts  840 ,  841  are shown in a number of the figures to have a square head to securely over-mold into shrouds  825 . However, the only limitation of shape is that the shape of the head of a bolt entail adequate surface area and configuration to provide permanent, firm over-molding to secure the bolt from turning or loosening when a nut is applied to industry standard torque force. The bolt becomes integrally molded, or over-molded, into the shroud such that the bolt and the shroud are essentially a single item with enhanced strength and rigidity, affecting the entire assembly. 
         [0035]    The threaded shaft of the bolts  840 ,  841  may be inserted through the seat mounting holes provided in the toilet  803 . The holes may optionally be lined with a bushing  845 ,  846  to fill void space thereby providing a tighter fit for the bolt  840 ,  841  and resulting in less movement of the seat  810  and cover  805 . Nuts  855 ,  856  are used on the bolts  840 ,  841 , to secure them and the seat ring  810 , cover  805 , and hinge  820  assemblies to the toilet. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the nuts  855 ,  856  may be elongated thus covering a larger section of the bolts  840 ,  841  than traditional nuts, although traditional nuts may be used. A washer (not shown) may optionally be used between the nut  855 ,  856  and the toilet  803  to provide a tighter connection with less likelihood of loosening. In some embodiments, the washer may be made of a compressible material. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 8 and 10  show the elongated nuts  855 ,  856 , according to one embodiment. As described, the elongated nuts  855 ,  856  serve several functions including, but not limited to tightening the bolts  840 ,  841  to secure the hinge mechanism  820  and thus the seat assembly to the toilet  803 , and providing additional structural integrity to the bolts  840 ,  841 . A couple of alternative, and optional, mechanisms for securing the nut  855  to a bolt  840  to prevent reversal of the nut  855  from the threads of the bolt  840 , which would then lead to loosening of the seat mechanism are described. According to one embodiment, and as previously described, a set screw may be inserted through the side of the nut, and seated against the threads of the bolt. According to another embodiment, the last turn, or several turns, of the threads of the nut may be cross-threaded, or other wise deformed, to cause a mismatch with the threads of the bolt, thus providing a mechanism for preventing reversal of the nut from the bolt. To facilitate such cross-threading and/or deformation, the bolts and nuts may be made of plastic materials such as polyethylene, nylon, polypropylene, silicone, and the like, and mixtures or blends thereof. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the pins  812 ,  813  may be separate pins, that may be inserted through passages  814 ,  815  in the seat  810  and into apertures  816 ,  817  ( 817  not shown in  FIG. 8  due to orientation of the view) in the cover  805 , and into apertures  809 ,  811  ( 811  not shown due to orientation) in the shroud  825 . Alternatively, the pins  812 ,  813  may form a single pin, that may be inserted through the passages  814 ,  815  in the seat  810  and into the apertures  816 ,  817  in the cover  805 , and into the apertures  809 ,  811  in the shroud  825 . The passages  814 ,  815  in the seat  810  are formed in a relief section  818  of the seat for such connection purposes. 
         [0038]    Returning to  FIG. 9 , a bottom view of the hinge assembly  820  is shown. The hinge assembly  820  may have a cover shield  860  that is formed in the front to facilitate injection molding of a “hollow” or encapsulated piece, and to conceal the inside area of the shroud  825 . The cover shield  860  is configured to leave an open access area  861  for the insertion of pins  812 ,  813 . As noted above, the pins  812 ,  813  may be separate, as shown, or they may be a single pin inserted through a through-hole in the cover  805  (not illustrated). The cover shield  860  may be attached by any method known to those of skill in the art such as by gluing, snap-in connections, or heat or sonic welding, depending upon the materials used. 
         [0039]    In another aspect, a bushing tree  1100  is provided with matched pairs of various sized bushings to accommodate the variances in seat mounting hole diameters among toilets.  FIG. 11  illustrates one such molded tree. The bushings  120  may be integrally formed of single material and interconnected via the stems  1105  and branches  1110  of a single tree  1100  such that each individual bushing may be separated from the tree and used for their individual application. Narrower portions of the material may be formed at the connection of the bushing  1120  to the branch to facilitate ready removal of the bushing  1120  from the branch. The materials may be made from a variety of materials such as polyurethane, polyethylene and polypropylene. In some embodiments, the material that forms the tree and attendant bushings is a silicone material. In other embodiments, the material is a pliable, flexible, and/or compressible material such that bushings may he shaped to fit various imperfections in seat mounting holes in toilets resulting in a snug and improved seat cover, seat ring, seat hinge assembly, with less “seat wiggle.” By configuring the multiple bushings on a “tree,” a packaging advantage exists by offering them as a single item. 
         [0040]    As noted above, the molded tree  1100  may contain bushings  1120  of various sizes and number, because seat mounting holes on toilets often vary in size. Hence, while the inner diameter of the bushing is of a constant size to match the diameter of the threaded shaft of the bolt, the outer diameter of the bushing will be varied to accommodate the varying size of seat mounting holes in toilets. This will result in bushings of varying outer diameter to allow an installer to choose the bushing most appropriate to the toilet to which the seat assembly is being attached. The number of bushing sizes on a tree is not limited. 
         [0041]    All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure. 
         [0042]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language. (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0043]    Examples and embodiments of the invention are described herein, but are not intended to be limiting of the invention. Variations of those examples and embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. While several, non-limiting examples have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the invention in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.