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EP-4739183-A1 - MAGNETIC HINGE CONNECTION FOR TOILET LID AND SEAT

EP4739183A1EP 4739183 A1EP4739183 A1EP 4739183A1EP-4739183-A1

Abstract

A hinge assembly (200, 300, 400, 800) for a toilet seat (104) includes a mounting base (206, 406, 806) configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl (106), the mounting base comprising a mounting cup (220, 420, 820). The hinge assembly also includes a mounting post (218, 318, 418, 818) configured to be coupled to the toilet seat and configured to be inserted into the mounting cup. At least one of the mounting cup and the mounting post comprises a magnet (222, 502, 812, 822) such that the mounting post and the mounting cup form a magnetic connection when the mounting post is inserted into the mounting cup.

Inventors

  • WU, Chengdong

Assignees

  • Topseat International, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230710

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising: a mounting base configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl, the mounting base comprising a mounting cup; and a mounting post configured to be coupled to the toilet seat and configured to be inserted into the mounting cup, wherein at least one of the mounting cup and the mounting post comprises a magnet such that the mounting post and the mounting cup form a magnetic connection when the mounting post is inserted into the mounting cup.
  2. 2. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the magnet is attached to a bottom surface of the mounting cup.
  3. 3. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the magnet is disposed in an end portion of the mounting post.
  4. 4. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the magnet comprises a cup magnet.
  5. 5. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the mounting post comprises a threaded cap configured to attach to a threaded post disposed at a top portion of the hinge assembly.
  6. 6. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the mounting base comprises a slotted opening configured to accept a fastener for attaching the mounting base to the toilet bowl.
  7. 7. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein: at least one of the mounting post and the mounting cup is formed at least partially of iron, and the magnetic connection comprises the magnet and the iron.
  8. 8. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the mounting cup comprises: a first section having a diameter configured to receive the mounting post; a second section disposed below the first section and having a diameter configured to receive the magnet; and the magnet has a larger diameter than the mounting post.
  9. 9. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly is one of two hinge assemblies disposed at opposite ends of a center bar.
  10. 10. The hinge assembly of Claim 1, further comprising: at least one hinge leaf configured to couple the hinge assembly to the toilet seat.
  11. 11. A toilet seat assembly comprising: a toilet seat; a toilet lid; and multiple hinge assemblies pivotally coupling the toilet seat and toilet lid, each hinge assembly comprising: a mounting base configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl, the mounting base comprising a mounting cup; and a mounting post configured to be coupled to the toilet seat and configured to be inserted into the mounting cup, wherein at least one of the mounting cup and the mounting post comprises a magnet such that the mounting post and the mounting cup form a magnetic connection when the mounting post is inserted into the mounting cup.
  12. 12. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein the magnet is attached to a bottom surface of the mounting cup.
  13. 13. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein the magnet is disposed in an end portion of the mounting post.
  14. 14. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein the magnet comprises a cup magnet.
  15. 15. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein the mounting post comprises a threaded cap configured to attach to a threaded post disposed at a top portion of that hinge assembly.
  16. 16. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein the mounting base comprises a slotted opening configured to accept a fastener for attaching the mounting base to the toilet bowl.
  17. 17. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein: at least one of the mounting post and the mounting cup is formed at least partially of iron, and the magnetic connection comprises the magnet and the iron.
  18. 18. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein the mounting cup comprises: a first section having a diameter configured to receive the mounting post; a second section disposed below the first section and having a diameter configured to receive the magnet; and the magnet has a larger diameter than the mounting post.
  19. 19. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, wherein the multiple hinge assemblies comprise two hinge assemblies disposed at opposite ends of a center bar.
  20. 20. The toilet seat assembly of Claim 11, further comprising: at least one hinge leaf configured to couple each hinge assembly to the toilet seat.

Description

MAGNETIC HINGE CONNECTION FOR TOILET LID AND SEAT TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This disclosure is generally directed to toilet equipment and more particularly to a magnetic hinge connection for a toilet lid and seat. BACKGROUND [0002] Toilet seats and lids have existed in various forms for many decades. A toilet seat provides a surface for an occupant to comfortably sit and a toilet lid provides a protective cover for the toilet facility. Typically, a toilet seat is affixed to a toilet bowl by placing mounting screws or bolts through a flange portion of the toilet bowl and by fastening washers and screw nuts from the bottom surface of the toilet bowl to the mounting screws. In many cases, once installed, the toilet seat is difficult to remove, such as for cleaning. For example, many toilet seats require screws or mounting bolts to be unfastened from the washers and nuts. In some cases, this process can be cumbersome or difficult to perform. Some so called “quick release” toilet seats exist; however, the hinges on such seats are typically of a complicated design and are often less than reliable due to their complexity. SUMMARY [0003] This disclosure provides a magnetic hinge connection for use in a hinge assembly of a toilet lid and seat. [0004] In a first embodiment, a hinge assembly for a toilet seat includes a mounting base configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl, the mounting base comprising a mounting cup. The hinge assembly also includes a mounting post configured to be coupled to the toilet seat and configured to be inserted into the mounting cup. At least one of the mounting cup and the mounting post comprises a magnet such that the mounting post and the mounting cup form a magnetic connection when the mounting post is inserted into the mounting cup. [0005] In a second embodiment, a toilet seat assembly includes a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and multiple hinge assemblies pivotally coupling the toilet seat and toilet lid. Each hinge assembly includes a mounting base configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl, the mounting base comprising a mounting cup. Each hinge assembly also includes a mounting post configured to be coupled to the toilet seat and configured to be inserted into the mounting cup. At least one of the mounting cup and the mounting post comprises a magnet such that the mounting post and the mounting cup form a magnetic connection when the mounting post is inserted into the mounting cup. [0006] Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. [0007] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C. [0008] Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0010] FIGURE 1 illustrates a toilet with a toilet lid and seat on which a magnetic hinge connection can be employed, according to this disclosure; [0011] FIGURE 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example hinge assembly used in conjunction with a toilet seat according to this disclosure; [0012] FIGURE 3 illustrates a perspective view of example hinge assemblies installed on a toilet seat according to this disclosure; [0013] FIGURES 4A and 4B illustrate portions of a hinge assembly that includes a magnetic connection according to this disclosure; [0014] FIGURES 5 A and 5B illustrate additional details of the hinge assembly of FIGURES 4A and 4B according to this disclosure; [0015] FIGURES 6A