Quick coupling device, particularly for connecting the seat assembly to a toilet bowl

Abstract

A quick coupling device, particularly for connecting a seat assembly to a toilet bowl, comprising a post which can be fixed to a toilet bowl. On the post there is provided an open socket for inserting therein, and extracting therefrom, at least one pivot for the connection of a seat assembly. The socket forms an engagement portion which can be detachably engaged by a mating portion of the connection pivot for the removable retention of the connection pivot in the socket.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A quick coupling device for connecting a seat assembly to a toilet bowl, comprising: a post fixable to a toilet bowl; an open socket provided on said post; at least one pivot insertable and extractable from said socket for detachable connection of the seat assembly, said connection pivot having at least one mating portion for removable retention of said connection pivot in said socket, and said socket forming at least one engagement portion which is detachably engageable by said at least one mating portion of said connection pivot.  
     
     
         2 . The quick coupling device of    claim 2   , wherein said socket has an upward opening.  
     
     
         3 . The quick coupling device of    claim 2   , comprising a bush shaped so as to act as an element for rotary connection to an eye of a seat and an eye of a cover of the seat assembly, said connection pivot being insertable in said bush.  
     
     
         4 . The quick coupling device of    claim 3   , wherein said engagement portion is wider than said opening of said socket.  
     
     
         5 . The quick coupling device of    claim 4   , wherein said mating portion is shaped so as to engage and disengage said engagement portion by sliding along a direction of extension of said connection post.  
     
     
         6 . The quick coupling device of    claim 5   , wherein said socket is shaped as a cylindrical portion in which said engagement portion is constituted by lateral regions of said socket, said mating portion being constituted by a cylindrical expansion.  
     
     
         7 . The quick coupling device of    claim 1   , wherein said socket has a trapezoidal shape in which said engagement portion is constituted by a longer parallel side that is directed toward a bottom side of said socket.  
     
     
         8 . The quick coupling device of    claim 1   , wherein said engagement portion is substantially dovetail-shaped, and said mating portion is shaped complementarily.  
     
     
         9 . The quick coupling device of    claim 1   , wherein said socket is shaped as an inverted T and said engagement portion is directed towards a bottom side of said socket.  
     
     
         10 . The quick coupling device of    claim 1   , wherein said engagement portion is provided separate with respect to said socket, and is constituted by an opening which is arranged below said socket so as to be engageable by the mating portion, said mating portion being constituted by a folded part of said connection pivot.  
     
     
         11 . The quick coupling device of    claim 6   , comprising a groove located on said cylindrical expansion and shaped so as to act as a grip element for actuating sliding of said connection pivot.  
     
     
         12 . The quick coupling device of    claim 11   , wherein said bush is provided with an internal protrusion, and said pivot has a notch which is engageable in said protrusion formed inside said bush to form a stroke limiter for the sliding of said connection pivot.  
     
     
         13 . The quick coupling device of    claim 3   , comprising two bushes in which said connection pivot is insertable, and which are rotatably engaged by connection wings of the seat and cover of the seat assembly, said connection pivot having an upper protrusion adapted to act as a grip element for actuating sliding of said pivot.  
     
     
         14 . The quick coupling device of    claim 13   , wherein said bushes are axially open in order to allow exit of the ends of said connection pivot for actuation thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The quick coupling device of    claim 13   , wherein said socket is provided with lateral recesses, and said engagement portion is constituted by lateral protrusions which detachably engage said mating portion by said lateral recesses formed in said socket.  
     
     
         16 . The quick coupling device of    claim 3   , comprising a U-shaped element insertable in a hole provided at an upper part of said post through a translatory motion in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the post and by the connection pivot in mounted configuration, said U-shaped element having a locking arm which can be removably superimposed on the upward opening of said socket.  
     
     
         17 . The quick coupling device of    claim 3   , wherein said post is provided at a free end thereof with an annular protrusion, said connection pivot being constituted by a strip which is insertable in said bush and ends, at a free end thereof, with a folded portion, said folded portion being engageable, in locking position with said strip inserted in said socket, under said annular protrusion formed at the free end of said post.  
     
     
         18 . The quick coupling device of    claim 17   , wherein said folded portion is narrower than said strip.  
     
     
         19 . The quick coupling device of    claim 3   , wherein said post has an annular recess, and said connection pivot is constituted by a strip which can be inserted in said bush, said strip having, at a free end thereof, a curved portion which is removably insertable, in locking position, in said annular recess formed by said post.