TOILET SEAT RIVET SYSTEMS

A rivet system comprises (i) a screw comprising a threaded shaft, (ii) a rigid sleeve comprising a hole extending therethrough for receiving the threaded shaft, (iii) a deformable sleeve comprising a hole extending therethrough; and (iv) a rigid base comprising a threaded hole on a first end of the rigid base, where the first end is configured to insert and advance into the hole of the deformable sleeve to allow the threaded hole of the rigid base to threadedly engage with the threaded shaft of the screw, and where the rigid base comprises an annular channel configured to receive at least part of the deformable sleeve when the first end of the rigid base is inserted and advanced into the hole of the deformable sleeve.

BACKGROUND

Toilet use is ubiquitous throughout the world. Many toilets include various components, including a toilet bowl, a toilet bowl platform situated about the rim of the toilet bowl, and a toilet seat configured for positioning on and securement to the toilet bowl platform. Toilet seats often include a seat component, a seat cover, and hinge functionality to enable the seat component and the seat cover to be selectively changed between open and closed configurations.

Toilet seats are seldom integrally formed with toilet bowls and are usually selectively connectable to toilet bowl platforms (e.g., after toilet installation). Toilet seats are typically connected to toilet bowl platforms via screw or rivet systems. Selective removability of toilet seats from toilet bowl platforms enables users to replace or upgrade their toilet seats as needed (e.g., responsive to toilet seat breakage, to obtain a toilet seat with improved/additional features such soft close functionality or bidet functionality, and/or to obtain a raised toilet seat to accommodate geriatric or injured users).

Existing screw and/or rivet systems for securing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl platform suffer from a number of challenges. For instance, existing screw and/or rivet systems typically include a limited interface distance between corresponding threaded components (e.g., between a screw/bolt and a corresponding nut). This limited distance results in limited frictional force for securing the toilet seat to the toilet bowl platform, which can cause toilet seat loosening over time through use. Furthermore, the limited distance can give rise to difficulty in achieving a tight configuration.

Toilet seat fastening systems that seek to provide a greater interface distance between threaded components by providing an elongated nut or base component to interface with an elongated screw/bolt often have an unsightly appearance, visibly extending well below the bottom of the toilet bowl platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure extend at least to toilet seat rivet systems and components thereof.

In at least some embodiments, a rivet system (e.g., for a toilet seat) includes a screw, a rigid sleeve, a deformable sleeve, and a rigid base. The rigid sleeve and the deformable sleeve each have holes extending therethrough, and the rigid sleeve and the deformable sleeve are configured to interface with one another such that their holes align (e.g., via an external recessed segment of the deformable sleeve interfacing with an internal recessed segment of the rigid sleeve). The screw is configured to insert through the rigid sleeve, and the screw and the rigid sleeve are configured to insert, from the top of a toilet seat, through a hole of the toilet seat and an aligned hole of a toilet bowl platform. The deformable sleeve interfaces with the rigid sleeve from the bottom of the toilet bowl platform, and the screw extends through the hole of the deformable sleeve when aligned with the hole of the rigid sleeve.

The rigid base includes a threaded hole for receiving the screw. The deformable sleeve connects to the rigid base when the screw advances into/through the threaded hole of the rigid base. In some instances, the connection between the deformable sleeve and the rigid base is facilitated by an annular channel on the rigid base that is external to the threaded hole and that receives at least part of the bottom portion of the deformable sleeve. As the screw advances into the threaded hole of the rigid base, the deformable sleeve deforms into contact with the underside of the toilet bowl platform. In some implementations, the rigid base is configured to extend upward through both the hole of the deformable sleeve and the hole of the rigid sleeve during advancement of the screw into the threaded hole of the rigid base.

One or more aspects of the foregoing functionality can facilitate increased frictional force between the screw and the rigid base and/or increased surface contact between the rivet system and the toilet bowl platform and/or toilet seat (e.g., relative to conventional systems), which can contribute to reduced loosening over time and can contributed to ease in achieving a tight configuration (e.g., by providing a greater range of threaded relative positions of the screw and the rigid base for selecting a level of tightness).

Having described some of the various high-level features and benefits of the disclosed embodiments, attention will now be directed toFIGS.1through5. These Figures illustrate various supporting illustrations related to the disclosed embodiments.

Although the present disclosure focuses, in at least some respects, on examples in which a rivet system is used to secure a toilet seat to a toilet bowl, the rivet systems and/or principles associated therewith may be applied in other contexts and/or use cases.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of example components of a rivet system100. In the example ofFIG.1, the rivet system100includes a screw102, which includes a head104and a threaded shaft106. The rivet system100ofFIG.1furthermore includes a rigid sleeve108, which includes a hole110that extend from one end112of the rigid sleeve108to the other end114thereof. The threaded shaft106of the screw102is configured for insertion through the hole110on end112of the rigid sleeve108.

The rigid sleeve108ofFIG.1also includes a collar116on end112, which allows the rigid sleeve108to interface with material surrounding a fastener opening of a toilet seat (seeFIG.3). A washer118of the rivet system100ofFIG.1is configured to intervene between the head104of the screw102and the collar116of the rigid sleeve108when the threaded shaft106of the screw102is advanced into the hole110of the rigid sleeve108.

The rivet system100ofFIG.1furthermore includes a deformable sleeve120, which also includes a hole122that extends from one end124of the deformable sleeve120to the other end126of the deformable sleeve120. In the example ofFIG.1, the deformable sleeve120includes various interfaces proximate to the ends124and126thereof to facilitate interfacing between the deformable sleeve120and other components of the rivet system100. For instance,FIG.1illustrates the deformable sleeve120as including an interface128on end124and another interface130on end126. Interface128of the deformable sleeve120is configured to engage with an interface of the rigid sleeve108, whereas interface130of the deformable sleeve120is configured to engage with an interface (e.g., an annular channel140) of the rigid base132of the rivet system100. In the example ofFIG.1, interfaces128and130are implemented as exterior recessed segments on ends124and126of the deformable sleeve120, respectively.

FIG.2illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the rivet system100in an assembled, loosened configuration.FIG.2illustrates an interface202on end114of the rigid sleeve108with which interface128of the deformable sleeve120is configured to engage. In the example ofFIG.2, interface202of the rigid sleeve is implemented as an interior recessed segment on end114of the rigid sleeve108.

One will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that the particular forms of the interfaces128,130and202(as well as other interfaces described herein, such as the annular channel140the rigid base132) in the examples provided herein are provided by way of conceptual illustration only and are not limiting of the present disclosure. For example, interface202may be implemented as an annular channel, or interfaces128and/or130may be implemented as non-recessed segments of the deformable sleeve120, etc.

Referring again toFIG.1, the illustrated rivet system100includes a rigid base132. The rigid base132ofFIG.1comprises a threaded hole134on end136of the rigid base132. In some instances, as in the example ofFIGS.1-3, the threaded hole134extends through the rigid base132to end138of the rigid base132. In some implementations, however, the threaded hole134does not fully span the longitudinal axis of the rigid base132.

As illustrated in the example ofFIG.1, the rigid base132includes an annular channel140, which may be positioned proximate to end138of the rigid base132. The annular channel140of the rigid base132is defined by part of a first outer wall142of the rigid base (e.g., which, in some instances, extends outside of a portion of the threaded hole134) and a second outer wall144that is offset outward from the first outer wall142. In the example ofFIG.1, the annular channel140is formed by an outer portion of the first outer wall142and an inner portion of the second outer wall144.FIG.2illustrates that the example annular channel140is furthermore formed by a channel base204that extends from the first outer wall to the second outer wall144.

The assembled configuration ofFIG.2illustrates that end136of the rigid base132is sized and configured for insertion into and advancement into hole122(not labeled inFIG.2) on end126of the deformable sleeve120. With the threaded shaft106of the screw102inserted through hole110(not labeled inFIG.2) on end112of the rigid sleeve108and inserted into hole122on end124of the deformable sleeve120, threaded hole134of the rigid base132may reach the threaded shaft106via insertion of end136of the rigid base132into hole122on end126of the deformable sleeve120. The threaded shaft106may then threadedly engage with the threaded hole134.

As the end136of the rigid base132advances through the deformable sleeve120and/or into engagement with the threaded shaft106, the annular channel140receives end126of the deformable sleeve120. In the example ofFIG.2, the annular channel140of the rigid base132receives interface130of the deformable sleeve120(e.g., the exterior recessed segment on end126of the deformable sleeve120).

With a configuration similar to that shown inFIG.2achieved (e.g., with the threaded shaft106inserted through the rigid sleeve108and into the deformable sleeve120to engage with the threaded hole134of the rigid base132as end136of the rigid base132is inserted into the deformable sleeve120), the threaded shaft106may continue to thread into further engagement with the threaded hole134of the rigid base132, thereby causing deformation of the deformable sleeve120by drawing the rigid base132(e.g., which is engaged with the deformable sleeve120via the annular channel140of the rigid base132) toward (and/or into) the rigid sleeve108(e.g., which is engaged with the deformable sleeve via the interface202).

For example,FIG.3illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the example rivet system100in a tightened configuration, tightening a toilet seat302to a toilet bowl platform304(some labels of components of the rivet system100are omitted fromFIG.3to improve clarity).FIG.3illustrates the rigid sleeve108inserted through an opening of a toilet seat302and through an opening of a toilet bowl platform304(from the top of the toilet seat).FIG.3illustrates the collar116of the rigid sleeve108contacting material surrounding the opening on the top of the toilet seat302to allow the rivet system100to secure the toilet seat302to the toilet bowl platform304as the rivet system100tightens.

FIG.3also illustrates the deformable sleeve120interfacing with the rigid sleeve108from the bottom of the toilet bowl platform304(e.g., via the interfaces128and202of the rigid sleeve108and the deformable sleeve120, respectively) while the rigid sleeve108is inserted through the opening of the toilet seat302and the toilet bowl platform304.FIG.3furthermore illustrates the threaded shaft106of the screw102inserted through the rigid sleeve108and into the deformable sleeve120to engage with the threaded hole134of the rigid base132while end136of the rigid base132is inserted into (and/or through) the deformable sleeve120from the bottom of the toilet bowl platform304.

FIG.3shows the rigid base132in engagement with the deformable sleeve120via the annular channel140of the rigid base132. As the screw102threads into engagement with the threaded hole134of the rigid base132, the rigid base132is drawn toward the rigid sleeve108(which is also engaged with the deformable sleeve120). In the example ofFIG.3, drawing the rigid base132toward the rigid sleeve108(with both the rigid base132and the rigid sleeve108engaged with opposing ends and/or interfaces of the deformable sleeve120) causes deformation of the deformable sleeve120, allowing the deformable sleeve120to contact one or more bottom portions of the toilet bowl platform304(e.g., proximate to the bottom portion of the hole of the toilet bowl platform304through which components of the rivet system100are inserted).

With the deformable sleeve120securing to the bottom portion of the toilet bowl platform304, continued threading of the screw102into engagement with the rigid base132can cause the deformable sleeve120and the collar116of the rigid sleeve108to tighten about the toilet seat302and the toilet bowl platform304from opposing sides, thereby securing the toilet seat302to the toilet bowl platform304in a stable manner.

FIG.3furthermore illustrates that, in some instances, end136of the rigid base132can at least partially extend into hole110of the rigid sleeve108during advancement of the screw102into threaded engagement with the rigid base132(e.g., and while the deformable sleeve120interfaces with the rigid sleeve108and while the deformable sleeve120is received by the annular channel140of the rigid base132).

At least some of the foregoing functionality can facilitate increased frictional force between the screw102and the rigid base132and/or increased surface contact between the rivet system100and the toilet bowl platform304and/or toilet seat302(e.g., relative to conventional systems), which can contribute to a stable connection/fastening of the toilet seat302to the toilet bowl platform304, reduced loosening over time, and/or can ease in achieving a tight configuration (e.g., by providing a greater range of threaded relative positions of the screw and the rigid base for selecting a level of tightness).

One will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that at least some of the particular sizes, shapes, and/or other aspects of components of the rivet system100shown hereinabove are provided by way of illustrative example only and are not limiting of the present disclosure. For instance,FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of additional example of components of a rivet system400(e.g., designed for a raised toilet seat), which includes components similar to the rivet system100described hereinabove with reference toFIGS.1through3.FIG.5illustrates a side cross-sectional view of components of the rivet system400in an assembled, loosened configuration.

For instance, rivet system400includes a screw402(e.g., with a head404and a threaded shaft406), a washer418, a rigid sleeve408(e.g., with a collar416, with an interface502, and with an opening410extending from end412to end414), a deformable sleeve420(e.g., with an opening422extending from end424to end426and with interfaces428and430arranged at ends424and426, respectively), a rigid base432(e.g., with an opening434from end436to end438, with an annular channel440defined by outer walls442and444and by a channel base504), etc.

It will be appreciated that systems, devices, products, kits, methods, and/or processes, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties, features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments disclosed and/or described herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the attached disclosure for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the methods, products, devices, and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

This disclosure provides various examples, embodiments, and features which, unless expressly stated or which would be mutually exclusive, should be understood to be combinable with other examples, embodiments, or features described herein.

In addition to the above, further embodiments and examples include the following:1. A rivet system, comprising: a screw comprising a head and a threaded shaft; a rigid sleeve comprising a hole extending from a first end to a second end of the rigid sleeve, the threaded shaft of the screw being configured to insert through the hole on the first end of the rigid sleeve, the rigid sleeve comprising an interface on the second end of the rigid sleeve; a deformable sleeve comprising a hole extending from a first end to a second end of the deformable sleeve, the deformable sleeve comprising a corresponding interface on the first end of the deformable sleeve, the deformable sleeve and the rigid sleeve being configured to interface with one another via the interface of the rigid sleeve and the corresponding interface of the deformable sleeve; and a rigid base comprising a threaded hole on a first end of the rigid base, the first end of the rigid base being configured to insert and advance into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve, the threaded hole of the rigid base being configured to threadedly engage with the threaded shaft of the screw when the first end of the rigid base is inserted and advanced into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve, the rigid base comprising an annular channel configured to receive at least part of the second end of the deformable sleeve when the first end of the rigid base is inserted and advanced into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve.2. The rivet system of 1, further comprising a washer configured to intervene between the head of the screw and the first end of the rigid sleeve.3. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 1 and/or 2, wherein the rigid sleeve is configured to insert through an opening of a toilet seat and through an opening of a toilet bowl platform from a top of the toilet seat.4. The rivet system of 3, wherein the rigid sleeve comprises a collar on the first end of the rigid sleeve, wherein the collar is configured to interface with material surrounding the opening of the toilet seat.5. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 3 and/or 4, wherein the deformable sleeve is configured to interface with the rigid sleeve from a bottom of the toilet bowl platform when the rigid sleeve is inserted through the opening of the toilet seat and through the opening of the toilet bowl platform from the top of the toilet seat.6. The rivet system of 5, wherein the threaded hole of the rigid base is configured to receive the threaded shaft of the screw from the bottom of the toilet bowl platform when the threaded shaft is inserted through the rigid sleeve while the rigid sleeve is inserted through the opening of the toilet seat and through the opening of a toilet bowl platform from the top of the toilet seat.7. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 1 through 6, wherein the annular channel of the rigid base is defined by (i) a section of a first outer wall of the rigid base that extends outside of a portion of the threaded hole of the rigid base and (ii) a second outer wall that is offset outward from the first outer wall.8. The rivet system of 7, wherein the annular channel of the rigid base is further defined by a channel base that extends from the first outer wall to the second outer wall of the rigid base.9. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 1 through 8, wherein the corresponding interface of the deformable sleeve comprises an exterior recessed segment on the first end of the deformable sleeve, and wherein the interface of the rigid sleeve comprises an interior recessed segment on the second end of the rigid sleeve.10. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 1 through 9, wherein at least the part of the second end of the deformable sleeve that is received by the annular channel of the rigid base comprises a second interface on the second end of the deformable sleeve.11. The rivet system of 10, wherein the second interface comprises an exterior recessed segment on the second end of the deformable sleeve.12. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 1 through 11, wherein the first end of the rigid base is configured to extend into the hole on the second end of the rigid sleeve when the threaded shaft of the screw is advanced into the threaded hole of the rigid base while the threaded shaft of the screw is inserted through the hole of the first end of the rigid sleeve and when the first end of the deformable sleeve interfaces with the second end of the rigid sleeve and when at least the part of the second end of the deformable sleeve is received by the annular channel of the rigid base.13. A rivet system, comprising: a screw comprising a head and a threaded shaft; a rigid sleeve comprising a hole extending from a first end to a second end of the rigid sleeve, the threaded shaft of the screw being configured to insert through the hole on the first end of the rigid sleeve, the rigid sleeve comprising an interior recessed segment on the second end of the rigid sleeve; a deformable sleeve comprising a hole extending from a first end to a second end of the deformable sleeve, the deformable sleeve comprising an exterior recessed segment on the first end of the deformable sleeve, the deformable sleeve and the rigid sleeve being configured to connect with one another via the interior recessed segment of the rigid sleeve and the exterior recessed segment of the deformable sleeve; and a rigid base comprising a threaded hole on a first end of the rigid base, the first end of the rigid base being configured to insert and advance into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve, the threaded hole of the rigid base being configured to threadedly engage with the threaded shaft of the screw when the first end of the rigid base is inserted and advanced into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve.14. The rivet system of 13, wherein the deformable sleeve further comprises a second exterior recessed segment on the second end of the deformable sleeve.15. The rivet system of 14, wherein the rigid base further comprises an annular channel configured to receive the second exterior recessed segment of the deformable sleeve when the first end of the rigid base is inserted and advanced into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve.16. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 13 through 15, wherein the first end of the rigid base is configured to extend into the hole on the second end of the rigid sleeve when the threaded shaft of the screw is advanced into the threaded hole of the rigid base while the threaded shaft of the screw is inserted through the hole of the first end of the rigid sleeve and when the first end of the deformable sleeve connects with the second end of the rigid sleeve.17. A rivet system, comprising: a screw comprising a head and a threaded shaft; a rigid sleeve comprising a hole extending from a first end to a second end of the rigid sleeve, the threaded shaft of the screw being configured to insert through the hole on the first end of the rigid sleeve, the rigid sleeve comprising an interface on the second end of the rigid sleeve; a deformable sleeve comprising a hole extending from a first end to a second end of the deformable sleeve, the deformable sleeve comprising a corresponding interface on the first end of the deformable sleeve, the deformable sleeve and the rigid sleeve being configured to interface with one another via the interface of the rigid sleeve and the corresponding interface of the deformable sleeve; and a rigid base comprising a threaded hole on a first end of the rigid base, the first end of the rigid base being configured to insert and advance into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve, the threaded hole of the rigid base being configured to threadedly engage with the threaded shaft of the screw when the first end of the rigid base is inserted and advanced into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve, wherein the first end of the rigid base is configured to extend into the hole on the second end of the rigid sleeve when the threaded shaft of the screw is advanced into the threaded hole of the rigid base while the threaded shaft of the screw is inserted through the hole of the first end of the rigid sleeve and when the first end of the deformable sleeve interfaces with the second end of the rigid sleeve.18. The rivet system of 17, wherein the deformable sleeve further comprises a second interface on the second end of the deformable sleeve.19. The rivet system of 18, wherein the rigid base further comprises an annular channel configured to receive the second interface of the deformable sleeve when the first end of the rigid base is inserted and advanced into the hole on the second end of the deformable sleeve.20. The rivet system of any one or a combination of 17 through 19, wherein the corresponding interface of the deformable sleeve comprises an exterior recessed segment on the first end of the deformable sleeve, and wherein the interface of the rigid sleeve comprises an interior recessed segment on the second end of the rigid sleeve.