Abstract:
The toilet seat locking assembly provides a device for anchoring a toilet seat in place. The assembly uses a double nut locking system that combines a seating nut with a locking nut assembly to significantly reduce the tendency of a bolt holding a seat on the toilet from becoming loose. The seating nut includes an interior threaded section for receiving a bolt, at least one ramp extending from the seating nut with a pilot extending from the ramp so that the pilot extends from the seating nut into a locking nut. The pilot extending from the seating nut ramp is designed to break away due to engagement with the locking nut, upon turning of the seating nut beyond a limit. The locking nut includes a threaded section for receiving the bolt. The locking nut has at least one pilot receiving slot, one ramp receiving slot, and a handle section for conveniently tightening the device and securing the seating nut and locking nut together.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority to the filing date of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/779,036 filed Mar. 13, 2013 of the same inventors herein and entitled TOILET SEAT LOCKING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD. The disclosure of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/779,036 is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a device and method for securely fastening a toilet seat to a toilet. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Typical toilet seats have plastic or metal hinges and fittings to attach to a conventional porcelain toilet bowl. Over time, use of the seat often causes the fittings securing the seat to the bowl to become loose, allowing the seat to wobble under the weight of a person using the toilet. Not only is a wobbling toilet seat irritating to users, but it can also pose a safety issue. When faced with a wobbling seat, very young children, elderly, and others with stability challenges may fall or lose their balance, possibly resulting in serious injury. 
         [0004]    Since the fittings are usually plastic, sufficiently tightening an unstable seat to remove the wobble may not be possible. Threads may be stripped or other damage may occur. Once loose or damaged, the fittings are difficult to tighten and often come loose repeatedly over time. 
         [0005]    Additionally, tightening the seat fittings may be difficult or potentially distasteful. On a typical toilet, the component of the fittings that has to be accessed in order to tighten the seat is often located on the underside of the rim of the bowl. In many circumstances, it is difficult to position oneself in such a way as to have the mechanical advantages necessary to quickly complete the task. Given the potentially unsanitary condition of the area under the rim of the toilet bowl, a quick and easy means for installing a toilet seat and keeping it tightly fastened to the bowl is highly desirable. 
         [0006]    Many have sought solutions to this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,840 describes latches that may be attached to the underside of a toilet seat and that clamp the seat to the inside edge of a toilet bowl when the seat is in the lowered position. Installation of rubber locknuts in place of standard metal or plastic locknuts may also be used to fix a wobbling seat. However, such fixes are, at best, short term and, at worst, insufficient to actually resolve the problem. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a device for anchoring a toilet seat in place. A double nut utilizes a modified jam nut along with a second nut to provide a locking effect and significantly reduce the tendency of the seat to become loose. 
         [0008]    A more specific exemplary aspect involves a seating nut to provide a secure connection between a bolt and the underside of a toilet bowl rim and a locking nut assembly made up of a locking nut and handle for further securing the toilet seat and for providing easy installation. The seating nut includes a guided opening defined by at least one projecting funnel shaped top to simplify aligning the bolt within the nut as well as to center and secure the seating nut against the underside bolt opening of the rim of the toilet. An opening is defined by an interior threaded section of the seating nut for receiving the bolt and at least one projecting piece, or pilot and ramp, extending from the seating nut designed to fit into the locking nut, and to break away upon connecting and turning the seating nut, which is connected to the locking nut assembly. The locking nut assembly includes an opening defined by a threaded section for receiving the bolt, with a locking nut having at least one pilot receiving slot and at least one ramp receiving slot, and a handle section for conveniently tightening the device through engagement with the locking nut. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Having briefly described certain embodiments of the invention, the same will be further understood from the following description made with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the seating nut; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the toilet seat locking system including the embodiment of the seating nut depicted in  FIG. 1 , showing the seating nut and locking nut assembly disconnected from one another; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , showing the seating nut and locking nut assembly disconnected from one another; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of the embodiment of the seating nut depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  used to install a toilet seat; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of an embodiment of a cover for the toilet seat locking system; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the embodiment of the cover depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an exterior perspective view of the embodiment of the cover shown in  FIG. 5  as it is sliding over the connected seating nut and locking nut assembly; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exterior perspective view of the embodiment of the cover shown in  FIG. 5  as it is fully seated over the connected seating nut and locking nut assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    An inventive embodiment of a toilet seat locking assembly  100  is a device providing a double-nut lock for attaching a toilet seat  520  to a toilet bowl  500  in a manner such as to greatly reduce seat loosening or detachment. Additionally, the toilet seat locking assembly  100  greatly minimizes the installer&#39;s exposure to the potentially unsanitary environment around and beneath the rim  510  of the toilet bowl  500 . 
         [0020]    The toilet seat locking assembly  100  of an embodiment of the invention is described with respect to the accompanying  FIGS. 1-9 . As will be readily appreciated, the description of a specific embodiment is not intended to be limiting to the broad scope of the invention. 
         [0021]    In the depicted embodiment, the toilet seat locking assembly  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , includes a seating nut  300  and a locking nut assembly  200  to provide a secure connection between, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a bolt  530  and the underside of a toilet bowl rim  510 , and for providing easy and quick installation of the toilet seat  520 . 
         [0022]    The seating nut  300  includes a body  310  of a typical seating nut design. In the depicted embodiment, the body  310  has six sides, which is the most common shape for nuts as a hexagonal shape provides a good granularity of angles from which a user may approach the nut with a tool and not so many corners that they are especially vulnerable to being rounded off. Although the six-sided nut is typical for applications such as described herein, other shapes may also be appropriate. 
         [0023]    The seating nut  300  further includes an interior threaded section  330  that extends through the center of the nut body  310  for receiving the bolt  530 . 
         [0024]    The seating nut  300  may also further include a funnel shaped top to simplify aligning the bolt  530  within the nut  300 . In the depicted embodiment, a funnel shaped top is shown as comprising four bolt guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′, preferably evenly spaced extending upward from the periphery of the threaded section  330 . Together, the guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ have a fluted shape that guide the bolt  530  straight into and through the interior threaded section  330  of the nut body  310 . As shown, the shape of the guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ is essentially extended right-triangles. The bolt guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ in the depicted embodiment further include teardrop shaped hollow sections  322 ,  322 ″ (not shown for each guide  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′) when viewed from the side. The hollow sections  322 ,  322 ″ provide additional flexibility for the guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ so that they flex when inserted into the toilet bowl opening through which bolt  530  passes, and do not break or cause damage to the toilet bowl rim  510 . The inside surface of the guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ is concave to allow passage of the bolt  530  and to prevent improper passage of and to center the bolt  530 . When inserted between the guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ and through the interior threaded section  330 , the bolt  530  secures the seat hinge assembly  522  to the toilet bowl rim  510  through compression. 
         [0025]    The seating nut  300  also includes at least one pilot  340  and ramp  350  extrusion for securing the seating nut  300  to the locking nut assembly  200  during installation and for ensuring that seating nut  300  may not be tightened to the underside of the toilet bowl rim  510  by an amount which causes damage to the rim  510 . In the depicted embodiment, four pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′, which are pieces extending from ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′, and which are directly connected to the nut body  310  through the ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″  350 ″′ on the side opposite the guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′, are shown. The pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′ are designed to lock with locking nut  220  at pilot receiving slots  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′ and to break away during installation of the toilet seat locking system  100 , once the seating nut  300  is tightened a sufficient amount against the rim  510 . The pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′, are extensions from the ramp&#39;s  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′, as shown in the depicted embodiment, and include at least one ramp, and typically plural ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′ on the seating nut  300  and at least one ramp stop slot, or typically plural ramp stop slots  250 ,  250 ′,  250 ″,  250 ″′, corresponding in number on the locking nut  220 . The ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′ are shaped as 90 degree right triangles that function as stops that prevent the locking nut  220  from loosening independent of the seating nut  300  once the locking nut abuts against the seating nut  300 . The dimensions of pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′ and ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′ are such that they are in line with the rim of the opening for the interior threaded section  330  of the seating nut  300 . The pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′ and ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′ are situated relative to the threaded section  330  to allow the seating nut  300  to attach firmly to the locking nut assembly  200  through engagement with the locking nut  220  at the pilot receiving slots  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′, which provides sufficient distance between the seating nut  300  and the locking nut  200  to allow clearance for the ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′. 
         [0026]    The locking nut assembly  200  with locking nut  220  functions as a second nut in the toilet seat locking assembly  100 . For fittings that will be subject to regular or strenuous use, a double nut system is preferable to a single nut system. In a double nut system when the fitting is strained, the tensile stress between the two nuts remains constant, thus holding the nut threads in constant contact with the bolt threads and preventing self-loosening of a bolt. The double nut locking system is further enhanced by the ramps  350  and their corresponding stop slots  250 , which prevent the self-loosening of the double nut action once the locking nut  220  is abutted firmly against the seating nut  300 . 
         [0027]    The locking nut assembly  200  includes an interior threaded section  230  for receiving the bolt  530 , a locking nut  220 , pilot slots  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′ and ramp slots  250 ,  250 ′,  250 ″,  250 ″′, for receiving the pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  240 ″′ and ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″, and  350 ″′, respectively therein, and a handle section  210 . In the depicted embodiment, the threaded section  230  extends through the center of the locking nut  220  and into the upper portion of the handle section  210 , providing at least enough room for the bolt  530  to be fully received into the locking nut assembly  200  after passing through the seat hinge assembly  522 , bowl rim  510 , and seating nut  300 . 
         [0028]    The locking nut  220  is a main component of the toilet seat locking assembly  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the locking nut  220  is cylindrical, has a smooth exterior surface, and is connected to a handle section  210 . The end of the locking nut  220  opposite the handle section  210  has at least one pilot receiving slot, and typically plural pilot receiving slots,  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′, and at least one ramp receiving slot, and typically plural ramp receiving stop slots  250 ,  250 ′,  250 ″,  250 ″′. The pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″, and  340 ″′ are extensions respectively from the end of ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″, and  350 ″′. The pilot receiving slots  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′ and ramp receiving stop slots  250 ,  250 ′,  250 ″,  250 ″′ are sized and shaped to accept the pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′ and ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′, respectively, which extend from the seating nut  300  when the toilet seat locking assembly  100  is installed. 
         [0029]    The handle section  210  of the locking nut assembly  200  is preferably of a sufficient size and design to allow a user to comfortably and firmly grip the handle section  210  with his or her hand. In the depicted embodiment, the handle section  210  includes four grip extrusions  214 ,  214 ′,  214 ″,  214 ″′ that extend from the exterior of the portion of the handle section  210  opposite the locking nut  220 . The depicted embodiment of the handle section  210  also includes a flange  212  that extends from the center portion of the handle section  210  outward to the outer circumference of the handle section  210 . The flange  212  may be used as a catch for the cover&#39;s  400  grip extrusions  414 . 
         [0030]    In order to install a toilet seat  520  to a toilet bowl  500  using the toilet seat locking assembly  100 , the installer will place the toilet seat  520  on top of the toilet bowl rim  510 . Openings in the seat hinge assembly  522  are then lined up with holes in the toilet bowl rim  510 . The bolt  530  is then threaded through the seat hinge assembly  522  and toilet bowl rim  510 . 
         [0031]    If the seating nut  300  and locking nut assembly  200  of the toilet seat locking assembly  100  have not yet been joined, this must be done by the installer prior to inserting the bolt  530  into the toilet seat locking assembly  100  for maximum efficiency. When the pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′ are received in the pilot receiving slots  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′, stop sides of the pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′ provide a connection between the seating nut  300  and locking nut assembly  200  as the locking assembly  100  is placed to be threaded onto the bolt  530 . 
         [0032]    When the bolt  530  is introduced into the top portion of the toilet seat locking assembly  100 , it drops into the unthreaded opening defined by the bolt guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′. It is unnecessary for the installer to directly view the bolt  530  and assembly  100  in order to join them, leading to rapid and easy installation. The bolt  530  is then threaded through the toilet seat locking assembly  100 , first through the seating nut  300 , and then into the locking nut assembly  200 . This may be accomplished by gripping and twisting the handle section  210 . 
         [0033]    Turning of the toilet seat locking assembly  100  squeezes the bolt guides  320 ,  320 ″ into one opening extending through the toilet bowl rim  510  to the underside thereof. This action centers the bolt  530  within the aperture and, unlike traditional toilet seat fittings, stabilizes the fit of the seat  520 , the bolt  530 , and the assembly  100 , due to the partial seating of the bolt guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ within the aperture on the underside of the commode or toilet and additional compression of the bolt guides  320 ,  320 ′,  320 ″,  320 ″′ against the bolt  530 . When the seating nut  300  has been fully pressed against the underside of the toilet bowl rim  510 , the tension between the bolt guides  320 , the bolt  530 , and the aperture in the toilet bowl rim  510  is maximized. At this point, the seating nut  300  ceases to advance, preventing damage to the toilet bowl rim  510 . 
         [0034]    Once the seating nut  300  is in place, the locking nut assembly  200  continues to advance the locking nut  220  through turning of the handle section  210 , causing the pilots  340 ,  340 ′,  340 ″,  340 ″′ to break off into the pilot receiving slots  240 ,  240 ′,  240 ″,  240 ″′ of the locking nut  220 , and continues to turn, without the ability to self-loosen, by allowing the ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″,  350 ″′ of the seating nut  300  to slide into the stops of the ramp receiving stop slots  250 ,  250 ′,  250 ″,  250 ″′, until the locking nut  220  abuts against and firmly secures the seating nut  300  in place. These same steps may then be repeated on the other side of the toilet bowl  500  with a second toilet seat locking assembly  100 . 
         [0035]    Should the toilet seat  520  require maintenance, turning the handle section  210  allows the locking nut assembly  200  to simultaneously remove the seating nut  300 . The toilet seat locking assembly  100  may be removed from the underside of the toilet bowl rim  510  by counter-clockwise turning. The assembly is removed as a unit because the ramps  350 ,  350 ′,  350 ″, and  350 ″′ are seated inside respective ramp stop slots  250 ,  250 ′,  250 ″, and  250 ″′, and cannot be withdrawn. The forces that prevent the self-loosening of the seating nut  300  are now employed to de-install the toilet seat locking assembly without the use of a separate tool for the seating nut  300 . 
         [0036]    The toilet seat locking assembly  100  may further include a cover  400  with an opening  410  on one end allowing the cover  400  to be slipped over the handle section  210 . The cover  400  will snap into place. In the depicted embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the cover includes interior clips  420 ,  420 ′,  420 ″,  420 ″′, which are designed to flex to allow flange extrusions  212 ,  212 ′,  212 ″,  212 ″′ of the handle section  210  to slip past and then to act as stops to secure the cover  400  over the handle section  210  once it is past the flange  212 . The cover  400 ′ may be of sufficient length to cover the seating nut  300  and the entire locking nut assembly  200 . The cover  400  may be transparent, opaque, or a combination thereof. It may also be decorative in nature, displaying indicia relating to a holiday or sports team or coordinating with the decor of the bathroom in which the toilet is found. The cover&#39;s primary function is to keep the handle clean until the device is removed. The second is for aesthetic reasons, i.e. “cleaner, neater” look. The cover may also come in colors to match the color of the commode or toilet if it is not white. 
         [0037]    In embodiments as disclosed herein in an exemplary manner, it is envisioned that the different parts of the device, including the seating nut and locking nut, may be made of different materials, which are all readily available and well known to those skilled in the art. In alternative embodiments, an extrusion process may be used to manufacture the device as a one piece unit made of any materials which satisfy performance tolerances for the device. Thus, the invention as defined within the claims is not limited to a selection of specific materials as will be readily apparent from the description of the invention set forth herein. 
         [0038]    The foregoing details are exemplary only. Other modifications that might be contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of this invention, and the invention is not limited by the examples illustrated herein.