Abstract:
A hinge assembly is provided for connecting a toilet seat and cover to a rearward extension behind a toilet bowl. A base member is permanently affixed to the extension. A hinge support member is rotatably linked to the base member in bayonet connection fashion. The hinge support, seat and cover can be removed from the, leaving only the base attached to the extension.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   Not applicable. 
   STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to hinges for mounting toilet seats and/or covers to the top of rearward extensions of toilets. More particularly it relates to such hinge assemblies that permit most of the assembly parts to be readily removed from the toilet to facilitate cleaning. 
   In designing toilet hinge assemblies, it is preferred to design systems that can easily be installed by untrained consumers. Thus, many such hinge assemblies pre-assemble the hinge to the seat and cover, and then affix the assembly via hinge posts to a rearward extension of a toilet bowl. In such constructions the posts are typically bolted to the rearward extension using a bolt-like fastener that extends down through the extension. A nut or similar device is then screwed onto the fastener from underneath the rearward extension to clamp the assembly to the extension. 
   Since the consumer may need access to the underside of the extension to adjust the nut during assembly or removal, and in any event the assembly or removal can require tools in some of these designs, these assemblies are intended to be essentially permanently affixed (with perhaps an occasional tightening if the seat works its way loose). This can create a problem because the area around such hinge posts (behind and under the cover and seat) can be difficult to completely clean. In this regard, urine and other contaminants can collect around the hinge posts, with the subsequent development of an undesirable appearance or smell, or unsanitary conditions. 
   As such, there have been a number of attempts to develop toilet seat hinge assemblies where the seat and cover and associated pivot pins can be removed from the toilet relatively easily, and then (after cleaning) be relatively easily reconnected. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,159,548, 4,326,307, 4,965,889, 5,933,875, and 6,070,295. See also GB 2,280,219 A. 
   These systems do achieve better cleaning by leaving only small hinge posts essentially permanently affixed to the bowl rearward extension, while providing readily releasable subassemblies that can removably link up with these posts. However, these prior art systems have a variety of deficiencies. 
   For example, some rely on a relatively weak connection between the subassembly and hinge posts such that the subassembly can accidentally be knocked off the posts. Others rely on relatively weak parts which may have a high incidence of breakage over prolonged use. Still others require relatively complex multi-part assemblies, which increase the cost of production and may require some consumer training. 
   Still other assemblies require tools for the disassembly for cleaning purposes. Yet others require a consumer to touch portions of the assembly that may themselves be contaminated. 
   Hence, it can be seen that a need still exists for an improved toilet seat hinge assembly, particularly one which facilitates removal of the seat and cover for cleaning purposes. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a hinge assembly for linking a toilet covering element (e.g. a toilet seat, a toilet cover, or a toilet seat/cover combination) to a rearward portion of the toilet. The preferred mounting location is a horizontal upwardly facing surface of a rearward extension of a toilet bowl. 
   The hinge assembly has a base member adapted to be mounted adjacent the rearward portion of the toilet, the base member having a non-circular locking element, the locking element having a radially extending flange with an undercut beneath it. There is also a hinge support member adapted to support the toilet covering element, the hinge support member having a wall with a non-circular opening sized and dimensioned to receive the non-circular locking element. 
   The hinge support member is positionable over the base member such that the flange of the base member can pass into the non-circular opening of the hinge support member. Thereafter, rotation of the base member relative to the hinge support member can cause the flange to catch the hinge support member to lock the hinge support member to the base member. 
   In preferred forms the non-circular locking element includes at least one pin extending vertically there from. Relative rotation of the base member with respect to the hinge support member when the flange of the base member is above the non-circular opening can be restricted by a rotational stop of the hinge support contacting the pin. The pin may also facilitate rotational adjustments of the base position relative to the toilet when the fastener is nearly tightened in place. 
   The fastener can be a bolt having a threaded lower end and a slotted head. A nut can be threaded onto the lower end. 
   In especially preferred forms the hinge support member has a pivotable cover for covering and uncovering a top portion of the base member. This provides a clean appearance. 
   The hinge support member can be connected to a hinge pin. This provides an essentially horizontal pivot axis for the toilet covering element. 
   Where two such assemblies are positioned at opposed sides of the rear of the seat/cover, disconnection of the hinge support from the base is achieved by slightly loosening the bolts, pushing the pins to cause the bases to rotate slightly, and then lifting the hinge supports with seat and cover attached thereto from the bases. 
   Alternatively, one assembly of the present invention could be at a rear corner of the seat and cover, with another type of quick release assembly being used at the other corner (e.g. see U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,307). Once that other assembly is disconnected, the hinge support of the present invention can be rotated relative to the base and then lifted, without any loosening of the bolt. 
   In another form, the invention provides another such hinge assembly. This assembly has a base member adapted to be mounted adjacent the rearward portion of the toilet, the base member including a rotational locking element having at least one flange with an undercut beneath it. It also has a hinge support member adapted to support the toilet covering element, the hinge support member having a wall with a non-circular opening sized and dimensioned to receive the rotational locking element, the height of the wall being selected to provide a frictional contact with the undercut of the locking member. 
   The non-circular opening in the hinge support member is selectively positionable over the locking member of the hinge support member. Thereafter, rotation of the locking element causes the flange to rotate over the wall of the hinge support member to lock the base member to the hinge support member. 
   In preferred forms of this embodiment, the rotational locking element has a central portion having an aperture for receiving a fastener for mounting the base to the toilet bowl, first and second flanges extending radially from the central portion, and a first and a second post extending vertically from the flanges. 
   The hinge support member is adapted to support the toilet seat/cover in a pivotable fashion. This can be achieved in a number of ways. For example, it can be achieved via an essentially horizontally extending pin which forms a pivot axis for the seat and cover (compare pin 64 in U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,548), or via a more complex dash pot type “pin” (compare U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,869). 
   Typically, such seats and covers both have a pair of spaced rearwardly extending ears, with cross holes extending through or at least into all of the ears. For example, a pin can extend through a seat left rear ear and then into a cover left rear ear, and another pin (or that pin) can extend through a cover right rear ear and into a seat right rear ear. 
   Where the hinge support member has a pivotable cover for covering and uncovering the top of the base member, movement of the cover provides access to a slotted head of the fastener, and also to the pin(s) of the base. 
   It will be appreciated that once the hinge supports are removed from the base members the rear bowl extension can be more easily and effectively cleaned. One can then reassemble the pre-assembled seat/cover/hinge support assembly by lowering the hinge support (or supports) onto the base elements, followed by relative rotation of the hinge support(s) with respect to the base(s). The flange extensions of the base(s) catch over the lower wall(s) of the hinge support(s) in bayonet connection fashion. 
   This fixes the hinge support(s) to the base(s) (and thus the seat and cover) to the bowl rearward extension. The toilet seat and cover can then pivot in the usual fashion as needed. 
   When removal of the main parts of the assembly is desired for cleaning, one may reverse the rotation. This permits everything but the base member(s) and associated nut/fastener to be vertically lifted up away from the toilet. 
   It will be appreciated that the hinge assembly of the present invention has a number of important advantages. For one thing, it is comprised of few parts and thus can be inexpensively manufactured. Further, its mechanism of operation does not require a consumer to touch an area of the assembly that is likely to be contaminated. 
   Moreover, the connection is solid, thereby precluding accidental undesired dislodging of the assembly. Further, the parts can be formed to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
   In one embodiment, the hinge support member always shrouds the base. Thus, to tighten or remove the base the hinge support member is removed. However, in another embodiment the hinge support member has a pivotable cover which when open provides access to the top of the base. In this embodiment, the entire assembly can be removed as a unit, or installed as a unit. 
   These and still other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description that follows. The claims should be looked to in order to judge the full scope of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view showing two hinge assemblies of the present invention mounted on a toilet bowl rear extension to retain a toilet seat and cover; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of one such assembly focusing around region  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 , with its environment of use shown in dotted lines; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a hinge assembly of the present invention, with a portion mounted on a piece of the bowl rear extension; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 3 , but in assembled form; 
       FIG. 5  is a top view taken generally along portion  5 — 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a vertical sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a partially exploded view of  FIG. 1 , albeit with the hinge assembly still attached to the bowl; 
       FIG. 8  is a view of an alternate embodiment of a hinge support of the present invention, where the hinge support has an integral hinge pin; 
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 5 , but showing the interior of the hinge support being provided with rotational stops; and 
       FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but of another embodiment where a single such hinge assembly is used to mount the cover and seat. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1–3 , a toilet is shown having a conventional seat  10  and seat cover  11  coupled to a conventional base  17  through two hinge assemblies  41  of the present invention. The seat  10  and cover  11  both have rearward corner mounting ears  37 / 38  which extend over a rear extension  15  from the bowl portion of the base  17 . The ears  37 / 38  are provided with the usual horizontal bores for receiving a mounting pin or pintle from a hinge support  14  to pivotally mount the covering members  10 / 11  with respect thereto. 
   There are two bases  12  mounted on the rear extension  15 , and two hinge support members  14  connectible thereto. Each base  12  includes an integral locking portion  20  and bolt  21 . The bolt  21  may have a slotted head  24 . Alternatively, the bolt fastener may be integrally formed with the locking portion so that it has a depending threaded lower stem. 
   The locking element  20  includes a central portion  25  (with a hole there through when the separate bolt  21  is used), and opposed first and second flanges  23  extending radially outward there from. A pair of vertical posts  22  extend vertically upward from, and are substantially centered on, these flanges  23 . 
   As will be appreciated from  FIGS. 3 and 6 , flanges  23  both include an undercut portion  27  to allow the flanges  23  to rotate over a portion of a bottom wall  50  of the hinge support  14 , and therefore to lock the hinge support  14  in place when that has occurred. 
   Each base  12 /bolt  21  is mounted to the rearward extension  15  of the toilet bowl  17  through a vertical through hole which extends through the top of the extension  15  and ends at an accessible portion of the bowl  17 . The lower threaded end of the bolt  21  is designed to extend through the extension  15  such that a portion of the bolt  21  extends beneath the extension  15 . 
   A nut  13  can then be threaded onto the bolt to clamp base  12  in place. This is a relatively permanent connection, as a tool would normally be needed to facilitate the removal. 
   The hinge support member  14  includes an upper horizontal tubular portion  31  which can be coupled to the mounting ears  37 / 38  to pivotally support the toilet covering members  10 / 11  along a horizontal axis over the toilet bowl  17 . The portion  31  can be provided with a separate cylindrical pin  32  that is rotationally damped by a conventional dash pot  33 . The dash pot  33  can be of the type that permits the cover  10  and seat  11  to easily be lifted from horizontal to vertical, but damps downward rotation so that the covering elements  10 / 11  can only slowly rotate downward, thereby preventing them from banging on the top of the toilet bowl  17  if they are accidentally dropped. 
   Alternatively, as indicated in  FIG. 8 , pintle  36  can be integrally formed with the hinge support  14 . In any event, the specific structure of such pins/pintles and how they interact with the mounting ears  37  and  38  of such toilet seats and covers are well known in the art. 
   The hinge support member  14  also includes a horizontal lower wall  50  adapted to be mounted on the top of the toilet bowl  17 . A non-circular opening  51 , having a central portion  53  and side lobes  52  and  54 , is provided in the wall  50 . It permits the flanges  23  and central base portion  25  to pass through the opening when the base is oriented relative to the hinge support  14  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   The hinge support  14  also has an internal cavity  56  above the opening which can be closed by a pivotable cover  57 . The pivotable cover  57  can either be integral with the hinge support  14  or formed as a separate piece and anchored via legs (not shown). 
   To connect a subassembly (including at least one hinge support member  14  and associated toilet cover  10  and seat  11 ) to a base  12 , the hinge support  14  is aligned with the base  12 , dropped down over it, and then rotated relative to the base  12  until the flanges  23  can no longer back out pass through openings  52  and  54 . 
   After relative rotation of the base  12  with respect to the hinge support  14  has caused the flanges  23  to rotate over the top of the wall  50 , a frictional connection between the flanges and wall hold that rotational position. As a result the hinge support  14  is “locked” to the base  12 . 
   Note that the upper surface of wall  50  can be sloped upward in the direction of rotation (not shown), so that relative rotation between the base  12  and hinge support  14  becomes very difficult once the parts are in or near the locking position. As depicted in  FIG. 9 , stops  72  and  74  can extend inward from the side walls of the hinge support  14  to provide a positive rotational stop by limiting movement of vertical posts  22 . 
   Hence, posts  22  serve a rotational limit function. They also can be used to facilitate minor adjustments in the positioning of the base when the base is first being installed on the toilet. Alternatively, they could be used to facilitate unlocking. 
   It should be appreciated from  FIG. 9  that the covering members  10  and  11  with hinge support  14  can be disconnected as a unit from the base  12  by rotating the base  12  in the reverse direction until the flanges  23  realign with the lobes  52  and  54  of the opening  51 . At this point, the subassembly of seat  10 , cover  11  and two hinge supports  14  can be lifted up from the bowl  17  to permit cleaning. 
   An alternate embodiment is shown in  FIG. 10  in which a single hinge assembly  41 A couples the toilet covering members  10 A/ 11 A to the toilet bowl  17 A. Corresponding ears  37 A and  38 A are used. Somewhat longer pintles may be desirable for this type of design. 
   While the preferred embodiments have been described above, a wide variety of changes can be made to them without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, although a specific non-circular configuration for the base opening has been described, it will be apparent that various non-circular configuration could be used. Additionally, if only one hinge of the present invention is used, yet a second hinge is desired, the second hinge can be of a variety of different configurations. 
   Further, it is not necessary that there be both a cover and seat. Either can be attached alone if desired (e.g. for a public restroom just a seat is more typical). Thus, the claims should be looked at in order to judge the full scope of the invention. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
   The present invention provides an improved hinge assembly suitable to attach a toilet seat and/or cover to a toilet.