Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to the field of toilet seats, and in particular, self actuating toilet seat and toilet seat lid assemblies which silently close after use. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to a piston and cylinder designs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 61/610,913, filed on Mar. 14, 2012 (and entitled Self-Actuating Toilet Seat Assembly) which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to the field of toilet seats, and in particular, self actuating toilet seats and toilet seat lid assemblies. More particularly, the present invention generally relates to a toilet seat lid which silently closes after use. The seat of the toiled seat assembly may also silently close after use. Toilet seat lids are often left up after use thereby leaving the toilet open which is an often unwanted position. Toilet seat lids also often slam closed causing unwanted noise and wear and tear. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There is therefore a great need in the art for a toilet seat assembly in which either the lid or both the seat and lid automatically and silently close after use. Although there are numerous toilet lids on the market today that have features that automatically dampen the descent of the toilet seat while lowering, these devices do not adequately dampen the movement of the assembly, among other shortcomings. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is now provided with this invention an improved toilet seat effectively overcoming the aforementioned difficulties and longstanding problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     [This Section Will be Completed Upon Final Approval of the Claims] 
       [0007]    Certain embodiments of the present invention present invention include a novel counterbalance mechanism which may comprise a cooperating spring and cam assembly as depicted in the figures included herewith. The counterbalance mechanism may permit in certain embodiments a three phase movement as detailed in the figures. The counterbalance mechanism may include a mechanism to prevent damage to unit when a user forces the lid closed inadvertently, and such mechanism may be realized by use of a vacuum which enables force to be limited in the cylinder. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention may also comprise a pneumatic cylinder which may operate in cooperation with the aforementioned spring counterbalance mechanism to provide damping and protection against unwanted closing of the assembly. The pneumatic cylinder may include one or more of a plastic piston, extruded aluminum cylinder housing, an air inlet valve and an airflow check valve, as depicted in the figures. One or more of these cylinders may be combined in a damper assembly so that one or more cylinders operate cooperatively to damp the movement of the assembly. The aforementioned cylinder may include one or more of the following features: a plastic cylinder end cap bonded to an aluminum extrusion; umbrella type check valves; airflow metering via needle valve and/or orifice. 
         [0009]    Other embodiments of the present invention include a locking mechanism, as depicted in the figures, to assist in maintaining the assembly in an open position as desired by a user. 
         [0010]    Still other embodiments of the present invention provide “anti-clamshell” protection, that is, protection against partial or full closing of the assembly while a user is seated thereon. These embodiments may include a cam/stopper mechanism as shown in the figures. 
         [0011]    Other embodiments of the present invention may include a mechanism for effectively transferring load from the seat lid to the base of the toilet when such load is applied to the seat lid by a reclining user. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the present invention may meet the following general requirements:
       Working temperature range 45° F. to 110° F.   Storage temperature 0° F. to 130° F.   Work in Relative Humidity of 0-100%   Enclosed so as to withstand dusty, wet, etc. environments.   High water environment so unit must be somewhat water resistant   Chemical resistance to harsh household cleaners that contain chlorine, ammonia, lemon, mild acids, etc.To meet the aforementioned requirements, suitable materials must be selected.       
 
         [0019]    Embodiments of the present invention may have the following functionality:
       Self closing with no outside interference   Manual override when person (20+ lbs weight) is sitting on seat so lid does not close on a user   Force to lift must not be restrictive (Children to Adults)   Release function to avoid damage when users attempt to override the system, or, alternatively, sufficiently robust design to withstand pulling loads of 50+ lbs force.   Anti-“clamshell” while person sitting on seat.       
 
         [0025]    The foregoing Summary of the Invention is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure contained herein nor limit the scope of the appended claims. To the contrary, as will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, variations of the foregoing described embodiments may be implemented without departing from the claimed invention. 
         [0026]    The method and apparatus of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed discussion of specific embodiments and the attached figures which illustrate and exemplify such embodiments. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The objects and features of the invention may be understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention taken together in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet seat assembly of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the counter balance mechanism of the present invention with the lid in the up position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the counter balance mechanism of the present invention with the lid in the down position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the lid of the present invention in the unlocked position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the lid of the present invention in the locked position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the lock spring of the present invention in the engaged position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the lock spring of the present invention in the disengaged position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the lid of the present invention in the open-fixed position. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an embodiment of the lid backstop of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is an transparent view of an embodiment of the friction mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the crank arm connection to the seat of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the crank arm connection to the lid of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the damper cylinder of the present invention connected to the lid. 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the damper cylinder of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 15  is a top view of embodiments of the damper cylinder of the present invention as installed in the toilet seat assembly. 
           [0043]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the embodiments of  FIG. 15  with the lid in the down position. 
           [0044]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the embodiments of  FIG. 15  with the lid in the up position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0045]    The following preferred embodiment as exemplified by the drawings is illustrative of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claims of this application. 
         [0046]    A toilet seat assembly having a self actuating apparatus is disclosed herein. 
         [0047]    The toilet seat assembly  1  is generally illustrated in  FIG. 1  as installed on a toilet  2 . The toilet seat assembly  1  is often colloquially referred to just as a toilet seat. The toilet seat assembly has a lid  4  and a seat portion  6 . The lid  4  may also be referred to as a cover or a toilet seat cover. The toilet seat assembly also has a self actuating apparatus  8 . The toilet seat assembly is attached to the toilet by bolts  10  as is well known in the art. 
         [0048]    The self actuating apparatus  8  has a counter balance mechanism  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of an embodiment of the counter balance mechanism  12 . The counter balance mechanism  12  includes a biasing device  14  for urging the lid toward the up position. This up position is illustrated in  FIG. 2  with the spring at its shortest extension. In the embodiment shown, this particular biasing device  14  is shown as a coiled spring that is attached to an arm  16 . The arm  16  is connected to a shaft  18  which, in turn, is attached to the lid. Of course, as is well known in the art the biasing device  14  may be other types of biasing devices other than coiled springs, for example, levers, or tensioned devices. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  shows the counter balance mechanism  12  with the lid in the down position. This lid down position shows the spring at its fullest extension applying maximum force to slow the decent speed of the lid. A substantially similar counterbalance mechanism is attached to the seat portion  6 . 
         [0050]    The operation of the spring force is as follows: When the lid (or the seat) is in the up position, the downward pulling force exerted by the spring is in the range of from about 5 ftlbs. to about 6 ftlbs. At approximately the middle of the stroke, that is, when the lid or seat is at an approximately 45 degree position, the spring is applying little force and starts acting as a counter balance. As the part to which the spring is applied moves beyond the approximate 45 degree position and is closer to being in the closed position, the spring starts exerting an upwards pulling force. At the end of the stroke, the spring is lifting the seat/lid with approximately 5-6 lbs. of force. 
         [0051]    The self actuating apparatus  8  optionally has a locking mechanism  20  as is generally illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the locking mechanism  20  in the unlocked position. The locking mechanism secures the lid in an upright condition (if so desired) and prevents unwanted closing. The locking mechanism  20  has a lockout knob  22 . In the unlocked position, the lockout knob  22  is pulled outward from the toilet seat assembly and rotated to be in an unengaged position. Alternatively, there could be 2 locks, one for the right hand side of the mechanism and one for the left hand side. One side would lock the seat (thereby holding the lid up as well) and the other side would only lock the lid. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  illustrates the locking mechanism  20  in its locked position. In its locked position, the lockout knob  22  is rotated clockwise and moved inward. A rubber bumper  24  applies friction to the shaft  18  which prevents the lid from closing. The rubber bumper helps to lock the lid in its up position. Although this embodiment only illustrates the locking mechanism applied to the lid, it may also be applied to the seat as well. If the feature is only installed to the lid, then the seat would be still free to move. By using a frictional device to the locking mechanism, if someone were to try to force the lid closed, it will yield and thereby produce resistance without breaking 
         [0053]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate further detailed views of the locking mechanism. As stated above, in its locked position, the lockout knob  22  is rotated clockwise and moved inward. Such movement inward may be facilitated by a biasing mechanism, for example, a lock spring  26 . The lock spring  26  pulls the lockout knob  22  inward when it is rotated clockwise and compresses when the lockout knob is engaged. It may also apply a frictional force to further prevent the lid from closing.  FIG. 6  shows the lock spring in the engaged position and  FIG. 7  shows the lock spring in the disengaged position. 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the lid of the present invention in the open-fixed position. This open-fixed position may also be referred to as an “anti-clamshell” feature. The “anti-clamshell” feature prevents the lid from hitting a user&#39;s back. As commonly understood, it is desirable when sitting on a toilet seat not to have the lid attempting to close. Therefore, this open-fixed position may be created by having a load transferring mechanism be part of the toilet seat assembly design. Such a load transfer design enables the weight of the person on the seat to slightly push the seat downward to thereby abut a locking lip  28  with a lid stop  30 . The locking lip  28  is attached to the lid and the lid stop is attached to the base  32  of the toilet seat assembly. A small gap is provided in the design to allow the weight of the person on the seat to enable this feature. The weight of the person on the seat pushes the seat downward, closes this gap, and thereby engages the locking lip with the lid stop. When the person gets up, the lid closes since the only force acting to pull the crank arm downward at that point is the mechanism spring. 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  shows a further aspect of the “anti-clamshell” feature. The base  32  also has a cover  34  for protecting the mechanisms of the toilet seat assembly and preventing water from entering the assembly. The cover further provides support to the lid so that a user may safely lean back when sitting on the toilet seat. 
         [0056]    A friction mechanism  36  is provided for applying increase friction to the shaft onto which the lid is attached.  FIG. 10  illustrates a transparent view of an embodiment of the friction mechanism  36  of the present invention. The friction mechanism  36  has a follower  38  which rubs against a cam surface  40  of a crank arm  42 . The force of the follower  38  upon the cam surface  40  may be controlled by adjusting attachment bolts  44  and/or  46 . Because it is desirable that for the first 30 degrees of downward motion of the lid it move particularly slowly, additional friction may be applied by the friction mechanism  36  by having the frictional force apply for the first  30  degrees of movement. During that first 30 degrees, the counterbalance mechanism acts as a detent to allow the lid to rub against the base without locking the mechanism. The crank arm  42  is allowed to move upward, pulled by the counterbalance spring, holding the seat and lid against the base and preventing the mechanism from locking After the first  30  degrees of movement, the lid and seat may drop at a faster rate. At this point, the crank arm slightly rises and allows the seat and lid to rub against the base. The biasing device pulls down throughout this process and provides what resembles a spring loaded action. 
         [0057]      FIG. 11  illustrates a detailed view of the crank arm connection to the seat. In this embodiment, on the left hand side, the crank arm has two flat surfaces  44  and  46  that engage the lid. 
         [0058]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the crank arm connection to the lid. In this embodiment, on the right hand side, the lid has round holes to allow the right hand side to simply hinge with no force applied thereto. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the toilet seat assembly further has damper cylinders  48  and  50  positioned under the cover. One of the damper cylinders  48  is operatively connected to the seat and one of the damper cylinders  50  is operatively connected to the lid. They operate independently since the lid and seat function separately. 
         [0059]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the damper cylinder  50  connected to the lid. Each damper cylinder is similarly designed. The damper cylinder  50  has a piston  52  which slides within the cylinder  54 . Attached to the piston  52  is a connecting rod  56 . The connecting rod  56  extends from the piston and attaches to a lid damper arm  58  positioned on the shaft  18 . The cylinder has a cap  60 . Although the embodiment of the damper cylinder is illustrated and described hereinbelow as a pneumatic damper, other types may also be employed, for example, a hydraulic cylinder damper. 
         [0060]      FIG. 14  is a detailed view of an embodiment of the damper cylinder of the present invention. The pneumatic damper is manufactured of plastic and extruded aluminum in a perfectly sealed pneumatic arrangement. The piston is made of plastic and the cylinder is made of extruded aluminum. The cap  60  is injection molded and bonded to the aluminum cylinder. An air flow inlet valve  62  is integrated into the piston  52  and positioned in a bore  64  extending through the piston. The air flow inlet valve  62  may be variety of types of valves, for example, a metering valve. Such metering valves may include a needle valve and/or an orifice. The cap has a check valve  64  positioned therein for allowing air to pass therethrough during the compression stroke of the piston. The check valve  64  may be a variety of types of check valves, for example, an umbrella type check valve. The diameter of the cylinder may typically be 47.63 mm, the stroke 29.5 mm, and the volume based on the piston movement 52.6 cm 3 . The system design is based upon using the vacuum produced in the cylinder. When the lid is closed, the cylinder produces a maximum of 14.7 psi of vacuum. This limits the force to a level that the mechanism can tolerate. The force that the pneumatic damper applies reaches it&#39;s maximum and cannot exceed the force applied by the vacuum applied by the piston. By controlling the air flow through the valve  62 , the air flow is regulated through the piston during its exhaust stroke and a vacuum force is applied to the damper arm. It is this vacuum force that retards the closure of the lid and/or seat. Alternatively, one may apply a damper design which operates by applying a pressure force instead of by vacuum. 
         [0061]      FIG. 15  is a top view of embodiments of the damper cylinder present invention as installed in the toilet seat assembly. At the end of the compression stroke, the cylinder is completely purged of air because all of the air has emerged from the cylinder through the check valve. This allows the seat and lid to be devoid of any “springback” due to the compressibility of air. 
         [0062]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the dampers of  FIG. 15  with the lid in the down position and  FIG. 17  is a side view with the lid in the up position. A high vacuum is achieved immediately when the user lets go of the seat and the lid. 
         [0063]    Although the particular embodiments shown and described above will prove to be useful in many applications in the toilet seat art and generally in the piston and cylinder technology to which the present invention pertains, further modifications of the present invention will occur to persons skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.