Self-Closing Toilet Seat

Abstract

A toilet assembly ( 10 ) comprising a bowl ( 14 ), a toilet seat, a hinge ( 16, 18 ) that is mounted on the bowl and that pivotally supports the toilet seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge ( 18 ) having therein a bore, a tank ( 24 ) mounted on the rear of the bowl, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, a latch bolt ( 32 ) extending through the hinge bore, the latch bolt including a member engageable with the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position, the latch bolt further including a catch lever and a spring biasing the catch lever upwardly, a release lever mounted on the latch bolt for movement between a catch position and a release position, the release lever moving from its catch position to its release position in response to flushing of the toilet, and a nut threaded onto the latch bolt ( 32 ) to secure the hinge ( 18 ) to the bowl ( 14 ).

1 . A toilet assembly comprising
 a bowl,   a toilet seat,   a hinge that is mounted on the bowl and that pivotally supports the toilet seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge including a member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position,   a tank mounted on the bowl, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, and   a cord extending from the tank to a point substantially directly beneath the hinge, the cord being operatively connected to the member and actuating the member in response to flushing of the toilet.   
   
   
       2 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cord is transparent. 
   
   
       3 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the cord is tape-like. 
   
   
       4 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the tank has a rear surface, a bottom surface and a corner between the rear and bottom surfaces, wherein the cord extends from the tank, down the rear surface of the tank and beneath the bottom surface of the tank, and wherein the assembly further comprises a guide member that guides the cord around the corner of the tank and protects the cord from rubbing against the tank. 
   
   
       5 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the hinge has a cap to cover the head of the latch bolt, the cap having therein an opening through which the member extends. 
   
   
       6 . A toilet assembly as set forth in claim I wherein the bowl has therein a bore for mounting of the hinge, wherein the hinge has therein a bore that aligns with the bore in the bowl, and further including a latch bolt extending through the hinge bore and the bowl bore, and a nut threaded onto the latch bolt to secure the hinge to the bowl, the latch bolt including the member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position, and a release lever pivotally mounted on the latch bolt, the release lever being operatively connected to the member and being movable between two positions, and the cord being operatively connected to the release lever a point located substantially directly beneath the hinge when the release lever is in one of its positions. 
   
   
       7 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the latch bolt includes an externally threaded tube having an upper end, and a top nut fixed on the upper end of the tube to form the head of the latch bolt, the top nut having therethrough an opening through which the member extends, and the top nut having a non-circular shape and seating in a complementary socket in the hinge such that rotation of the latch bolt relative to the hinge is prevented. 
   
   
       8 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the top nut is threaded onto the upper end of the tube. 
   
   
       9 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the latch bolt includes an externally threaded tube having an upper end through which the member extends, and wherein the tube has an internal bore, and further including a catch lever inside the tube bore, the catch lever extending out of the lower end of the bore, the catch lever having a shoulder, and the catch lever being operatively connected to the member, and a spring biasing the catch lever upwardly in the bore, the catch lever movable between an upper release position and a lower catch position, such that when the catch lever is in the catch position, the shoulder on the catch lever engages the lower end of the tube and prevents upward movement of the catch lever, and such that, when the catch lever is in the catch position, movement of the lower end of the catch lever in one direction disengages the shoulder to allow the spring to move the catch lever upward to the release position. 
   
   
       10 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the catch lever and the member are formed separately. 
   
   
       11 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein the release lever is mounted on the latch bolt for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, the release lever being movable between a catch position and a release position that correspond to the like-named positions of the catch lever, the release lever having a camming surface engaging the lower end of the catch lever such that movement of the catch lever to its catch position moves the release lever to its catch position, and pivotal movement of the release lever to its release position moves the lower end of the catch lever so that the shoulder disengages from the lower end of the tube and the catch lever snaps to its release position. 
   
   
       12 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein one end of the cord is connected to the release lever and the opposite end of the cord is secured to a float inside the tank, the float having sufficient weight to pull the cord to move the release lever when the water level in the tank drops as a result of flushing of the toilet. 
   
   
       13 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 9  and further including a catch lever guide fixed on the upper end of the catch lever, the catch lever guide having a projection, the spring extending between bore shoulder and catch lever guide, the catch lever and the catch lever guide being permitted a limited range of angular movement within the bore, and the catch lever and the catch lever guide being permitted a limited range of pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of the bore. 
   
   
       14 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the opening in the top nut is non-circular, wherein the member is a plunger located inside the bore and movable between an upper position and a lower position, the plunger having a non-circular rod portion that extends through the opening in the top nut, the shape of the opening and the cross-sectional shape of the rod being complementary such that the rod is prevented from rotating within the opening, such that when the plunger is in the upper position, raising of the toilet seat causes the seat to engage the rod and move the plunger to the lower position, and such that, when the seat is in the raised position, movement of the plunger to the upper position causes the rod to engage the seat and cause the seat to move downward, the plunger also having an enlarged lower portion within the tube, a shoulder between the upper and lower portions engaging the underside of the top nut and limiting upward movement of the plunger relative to the tube, the lower portion having a shelf-like projection that overlaps with the projection on the catch lever guide, the interengagement of the projections and engagement of the shelf-like projection by the guide and engagement of the guide projection by the plunger lower portion allowing a limited amount of pivotal or twisting movement of the catch lever and catch lever guide relative to the plunger, and also allowing a limited amount of cocking movement of the catch lever and catch lever guide relative to the plunger, the construction of the guide and the plunger being such that the upward force of the spring on the guide pivotally biases the guide relative to the plunger, pivotal movement of the guide relative to the plunger being limited by engagement of the catch lever by the inner wall of the tube when the lever is in the release position, and such that, when the plunger pushes the guide downward toward the catch position, the lever pivots quickly when the shoulder on the lever clears the lower end of the tube, such that the lever snaps into the catch position, and such that, once in the catch position, the lever can only be returned to the release position by pivoting the lever in the opposite direction. 
   
   
       15 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 14  and further including a bushing sleeve that slides onto the lower end of the latch bolt, a slot in the lower end of the sleeve receiving the lower end of the catch lever and thereby properly angularly orienting the sleeve relative to the bolt, the sleeve having diametrically opposed, axially extending, parallel projections having thereon respective inwardly extending ribs that engage the threads of the bolt, the projections being resilient and flexible, and a lock ring surrounding the sleeve and being movable relative to the sleeve between upper and lower positions, such that, in its upper position, in which the ring is at the top of the sleeve, the ring is clear of the projections and allows outward movement of the projections, and such that, in its lower position, the ring surrounds the projections and prevents outward movement of the projections, the ribs and the projections being configured such that, when the ring is in its upper position, the ribs and projections permit the sleeve to be slid onto the bolt over the threads of the tube, a shoulder inside the sleeve engaging the lower end of the bolt to limit movement of the sleeve onto the bolt, and such that, when the sleeve is in position on the tube, and the ring is in its lower position, the ring prevents movement of the projections and the ribs and thereby prevents the sleeve from sliding off the tube. 
   
   
       16 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the release lever is mounted on the lower end of the sleeve for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis that extends generally perpendicular to the front-to-back axis of the bowl, the release lever being movable between a catch position and a release position that correspond to the like-named positions of the catch lever, the release lever having a camming surface engaging the lower end of the catch lever such that movement of the catch lever to its catch position moves the release lever to its catch position, and pivotal movement of the release lever to its release position moves the lower end of the catch lever so that the shoulder disengages from the lower end of the tube and the catch lever snaps to its release position. 
   
   
       17 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 16  wherein one end of the cord is connected to the release lever and the opposite end of the cord is secured to a float inside the tank, the float having sufficient weight to pull the cord to move the release lever when the water level in the tank drops as a result of flushing of the toilet. 
   
   
       18 . A toilet assembly comprising
 a bowl,   a toilet seat,   a hinge that is mounted on the bowl and that pivotally supports the toilet seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge including a member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position,   a tank mounted on the bowl, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, and   a transparent cord extending from the tank, the cord being operatively connected to the member and actuating the member in response to flushing of the toilet.   
   
   
       19 . A toilet assembly comprising
 a bowl,   a toilet seat,   a hinge that is mounted on the bowl and that pivotally supports the toilet seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge including a member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position,   a tank mounted on the bowl, the tank having a rear surface, a bottom surface and a corner between the rear and bottom surfaces, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl,   a cord extending from the tank, down the rear surface of the tank and beneath the bottom surface of the tank, the cord being operatively connected to the member and actuating the member in response to flushing of the toilet, and   a guide member that guides the cord around the corner of the tank and protects the cord from rubbing against the tank.   
   
   
       20 . The toilet assembly of  claim 19  wherein the cord guide is made of a material that is deformable and retains its shape when deformed, and also that is low-friction so that the cord can slide easily through the guide. 
   
   
       21 . A toilet assembly comprising
 a bowl having therein a bore for mounting of a toilet seat hinge,   a hinge mounted on the bowl, the hinge having therein a bore that aligns with the bore in the bowl,   a toilet seat pivotally supported by the hinge for movement between raised and lowered positions,   a tank mounted on the rear of the bowl, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl,   a latch bolt extending through the hinge bore and the bowl bore, the latch bolt including a member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position,   a release lever mounted on the latch bolt, the release lever being operatively connected to the member and being movable between catch and release positions respectively corresponding to the raised and lowered positions of the seat, and the release lever having an end located substantially directly beneath the hinge when the release lever is in one of its positions, the release lever actuating the member in response to flushing of the toilet, and   a nut threaded onto the latch bolt to secure the hinge to the bowl.   
   
   
       22 . The toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the latch bolt including includes an externally threaded tube having an internal bore and an upper end through which the member extends, and further including a catch lever inside the tube bore, the catch lever extending out of the lower end of the bore, the catch lever having a shoulder, and the catch lever being operatively connected to the member such that upward movement of the catch lever causes upward movement of the member to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position, and a spring biasing the catch lever upwardly in the bore, the catch lever movable between an upper release position and a lower catch position, such that when the catch lever is in the catch position, the shoulder on the catch lever engages the lower end of the tube and prevents upward movement of the catch lever, and such that, when the catch lever is in the catch position, movement of the lower end of the catch lever in one direction disengages the shoulder to allow the spring to move the catch lever upward to the release position, and
 wherein the release lever having has a camming surface engaging the lower end of the catch lever such that movement of the catch lever to its catch position moves the release lever to its catch position, and movement of the release lever to its release position moves the lower end of the catch lever so that the shoulder disengages from the lower end of the tube and the catch lever snaps to its release position.   
   
   
       23 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 22  wherein the catch lever and the member are formed separately. 
   
   
       24 . A toilet assembly as set forth in  claim 22  wherein one end of the cord is connected to the release lever and the opposite end of the cord is secured to a float inside the tank, the float having sufficient weight to pull the cord to move the release lever when the water level in the tank drops as a result of flushing of the toilet. 
   
   
       25 . A method of packaging a toilet seat assembly for sale, the toilet seat assembly being installable on a toilet having a bowl and a tank mounted on the rear of the bowl, the tank containing water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, the method comprising
 packaging a toilet seat,   packaging with the toilet seat a hinge mountable on a toilet bowl for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on the bowl for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge including a member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position, and   packaging with the seat and the hinge a cord adapted to extend from the tank, the cord being operatively connectable to the member to actuate the member in response to flushing of the toilet, and the cord as packaged having thereon a guide member operable, when the seat assembly is installed on the toilet, to guide the cord relative to the tank and to protect the cord from rubbing against the tank.   
   
   
       26 . A hinge assembly for use with a toilet assembly including a bowl having therein a bore, a toilet seat, a tank mounted on the rear of the bowl, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, and a cord extending from the tank, the cord moving in response to flushing of the toilet, the hinge assembly comprising:
 a hinge post having therein a bore for alignment with the bore in the bowl, the hinge post being connectable to the toilet seat to pivotally support the seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge post including a rotary damping device,   a latch bolt extendable through the hinge post bore and the bowl bore, the latch bolt including a member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position,   a nut threadable onto the latch bolt to secure the hinge to the bowl, and   a release lever pivotally mountable on the latch bolt so that the release lever is operatively connected to the member and movable between catch and release positions respectively corresponding to the raised and lowered positions of the seat, and the release lever having an end connectable to the cord, the end being located substantially directly beneath the hinge post when the release lever is in its catch position, whereby the cord pulls on the release lever and moves the release lever from its catch position to its release position in response to flushing of the toilet.   
   
   
       27 . A hinge as set forth in  claim 26  and further comprising a cap that snaps onto the hinge post to cover the head of the bolt, the cap having therein an opening through which the member extends. 
   
   
       28 . The hinge assembly as set forth in  claim 26  wherein the latch bolt includes an externally threaded tube having an internal bore and an upper end through which the member extends, and further including a catch lever inside the tube bore, the catch lever extending out of the lower end of the bore, the catch lever having a shoulder, and the catch lever being operatively connected to the member such that upward movement of the catch lever causes upward movement of the member to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position, and a spring biasing the catch lever upwardly in the bore, the catch lever movable between an upper release position and a lower catch position, such that when the catch lever is in the catch position, the shoulder on the catch lever engages the lower end of the tube and prevents upward movement of the catch lever, and such that, when the catch lever is in the catch position, movement of the lower end of the catch lever in one direction disengages the shoulder to allow the spring to move the catch lever upward to the release position, and 
     wherein the release lever having has a camming surface engaging the lower end of the catch lever such that movement of the catch lever to its catch position moves the release lever to its catch position, and movement of the release lever to its release position moves the lower end of the catch lever so that the shoulder disengages from the lower end of the tube and the catch lever snaps to its release position. 
   
   
       29 . A toilet seat kit for use with a toilet including a bowl having therein a bore, and a tank mounted on the rear of the bowl, the tank adapted to contain water for flushing the toilet and having flushing apparatus for causing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, the toilet seat kit comprising:
 a toilet seat,   a hinge post having therein a bore for alignment with the bore in the bowl, the hinge post being connected to the toilet seat to pivotally support the seat for movement between raised and lowered positions, the hinge post including a rotary damping device,   a latch bolt extendable through the hinge bore and the bowl bore, the latch bolt including a member actuatable to engage the toilet seat to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position,   a release lever mountable on the latch bolt so that the release lever is operatively connected to the member and is movable between catch and release positions respectively corresponding to the lowered and raised positions of the seat, and the release lever having an end located substantially directly beneath the hinge post when the release lever is in its catch position,   a nut threadable onto the latch bolt to secure the hinge to the bowl,   a float positionable inside the tank, and   a cord having one end connectable to the end of the release lever and having an opposite end connectable to the float such that the float pulls the cord to move the release lever from its catch position to its release position when the water level in the tank drops as a result of flushing of the toilet.   
   
   
       30 . The toilet set kit as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the latch bolt including includes an externally threaded tube having an internal bore and an upper end through which the member extends, and further including a catch lever inside the tube bore, the catch lever extending out of the lower end of the bore, the catch lever having a shoulder, and the catch lever being operatively connected to the member such that upward movement of the catch lever causes upward movement of the member to move the toilet seat from its raised position toward its lowered position, and a spring biasing the catch lever upwardly in the bore, the catch lever movable between an upper release position and a lower catch position, such that when the catch lever is in the catch position, the shoulder on the catch lever engages the lower end of the tube and prevents upward movement of the catch lever, and such that, when the catch lever is in the catch position, movement of the lower end of the catch lever in one direction disengages the shoulder to allow the spring to move the catch lever upward to the release position, and 
     wherein the release lever has a camming surface engaging the lower end of the catch lever such that movement of the catch lever to its catch position moves the release lever to its catch position, and movement of the release lever to its release position moves the lower end of the catch lever so that the shoulder disengages from the lower end of the tube and the catch lever snaps to its release position. 
   
   
       31 . A toilet seat kit as set forth in  claim 30  wherein the float includes a container with a top portion, wherein the cord is connectable to the top portion of the float, and wherein the container portion of the float contains a relatively heavy material beneath a relatively light material, so that the heavy material keeps the float upright. 
   
   
       32 . A toilet seat kit as set forth in  claim 31  wherein the heavy material is sand.