Automatic Toilet Seat Assembly Closing System

Abstract

A closing apparatus is provided for automatically closing a toilet seat assembly adapted for mounting to a top ledge of a toilet bowl. Embodiments of the closing apparatus include an actuator for automatically rotating the toilet seat assembly between open and closed positions. The closing apparatus may also include one or more dampers for resisting the rotational movement of the toilet seat assembly so as to extend the closing rotation of the toilet seat assembly over a desired delay period. In other embodiments, the respective centers of gravity of a seat and a lid of the toilet seat assembly may be positioned with respect to a hinge axis of the toilet seat assembly in a manner that causes the seat or the seat and the lid to automatically close via gravitational torque when released in the open position. The closure apparatus may also include a simplified latch mechanism for selectively restraining the toilet seat assembly in an open position.

1 . A closure apparatus adapted to be mounted to a toilet seat assembly having a lid disposed upon a seat, said closure apparatus comprising:
 an actuator, said actuator adapted to engage the lid such that when the toilet seat assembly is released in an open position, said actuator rotates the lid, and therefore the seat, from said open position into a closing position from which the lid and the seat will rotate into a closed position via a gravitational torque; and   one or more rotary dampers, said rotary dampers configured to resist rotational movement of the lid and the seat from said open position to said closed position.   
   
   
       2 . A closure apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein positioning the lid in said open position stores energy in said actuator, and wherein said dampers control release of the energy such that the lid rotates from said open position into said closing position over a desired delay period. 
   
   
       3 . A closure apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises a spring. 
   
   
       4 . A closure apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said spring is adapted to be stressed by said toilet seat assembly when said toilet seat assembly is positioned in said open position. 
   
   
       5 . A closure apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said dampers apply a rotational torque, and wherein said rotational torque is adjustable. 
   
   
       6 . A toilet seat assembly adapted for mounting to a toilet via a hinge mount, the toilet having a toilet bowl with a top ledge having pre-existing holes for mounting said toilet seat assembly and a water tank, said toilet seat assembly comprising:
 a toilet seat that rotates about an axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position, wherein said axis of rotation is positioned relative to a center of gravity of said toilet seat such that when said toilet seat is in a vertical position, gravitational torque biases said toilet seat to close by force of gravity.   
   
   
       7 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising a toilet lid associated with said toilet seat, wherein said toilet lid rotates about said axis of rotation between said closed position and said open position, and wherein said axis of rotation is positioned relative to a center of gravity of said toilet lid such that when said toilet lid is in said vertical position, gravitational torque biases said toilet lid to close by force of gravity. 
   
   
       8 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a control mechanism configured to control rotational movement of said toilet seat from said open position to said closed position and said toilet lid from said open position to said closed position.   
   
   
       9 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said control mechanism comprises one or more rotary dampers. 
   
   
       10 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said control mechanism comprises:
 a toilet seat damper configured to apply a first rotary torque to slow rotational movement of said toilet seat over a first delay period; and   a toilet lid damper configured to apply a second rotary torque to slow rotational movement of said toilet lid over a second delay period.   
   
   
       11 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said control mechanism comprises a closure apparatus, said closure apparatus comprising:
 a mounting bolt having an opening extending therethrough;   a cylindrical housing adapted to be threadably received on said mounting bolt;   a rod having a first end and a second end, said first end extending through said mounting bolt and adapted to control rotation of said toilet seat and said second end having a one-way valve assembly disposed within said housing;   a spring member disposed within said housing, said spring member adapted to lower said rod within said housing; and   a fluid disposed in a lower portion of said housing, wherein when said toilet seat rotates into said open position, said spring moves said rod downward in said housing, thereby positioning said one-way valve assembly in said fluid, and wherein when said toilet seat is released, said one-way valve assembly seals against said housing, thereby restraining upward movement of said rod and rotational movement of said toilet seat and said toilet lid from said open position to said closed position.   
   
   
       12 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said spring member is adapted to apply a rotary torque to resist rotational movement of said toilet seat from said open position to said closed position. 
   
   
       13 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said closure apparatus is adapted to apply a rotary torque to control rotational movement of said toilet seat from said open position to said closed position over a delay period. 
   
   
       14 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said closure apparatus is adapted to be adjustable to change said delay period. 
   
   
       15 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein when said gravitational torque of said toilet seat exceeds a rotary torque applied by a damper, said closure apparatus controls rotational movement of said toilet seat from said open position to said closed position. 
   
   
       16 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a toilet lid associated with said toilet seat, wherein said toilet lid rotates about said axis of rotation between said closed position and said open position, and wherein said axis of rotation is positioned relative to a center of gravity of said toilet lid such that when said toilet lid is in said vertical position, gravitational torque biases said toilet lid to close by force of gravity; and   a control mechanism configured to control rotational movement of said toilet seat from said open position to said closed position and said toilet lid from said open position to said closed position, wherein said control mechanism comprises a latch assembly configured to engage said toilet seat at said open position to selectively prevent said toilet seat from rotating from said open position to said closed position.   
   
   
       17 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said latch assembly comprises:
 a flat spring having first and second ends, wherein said first end is fixably coupled to said hinge mount;   a latch face configured to engage a notch in said toilet seat, wherein said latch face is fixably coupled to said second end of said flat spring; and   a controller communicatively coupled with said latch face, wherein said controller controls a disengagement of said latch face from said notch, thereby releasing said toilet seat.   
   
   
       18 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said latch assembly comprises:
 an elastomeric bladder;   a cap coupled with said elastomeric bladder, wherein when said elastomeric bladder is in an equilibrium position, said elastomeric bladder is biased to engage said cap with a notch in said toilet seat; and   a bottomless vessel disposed within the water tank, wherein said bottomless vessel is communicatively coupled with said elastomeric bladder, and wherein when water in the water tank drops, said elastomeric bladder contracts to withdraw said cap from said notch in said toilet seat.   
   
   
       19 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a toilet lid associated with said toilet seat, wherein said toilet lid rotates about said axis of rotation between said closed position and said open position, and wherein said axis of rotation is positioned relative to a center of gravity of said toilet lid such that when said toilet lid is in said vertical position, gravitational torque biases said toilet lid to close by force of gravity; and   a control mechanism configured to control rotational movement of said toilet seat from said open position to said closed position and said toilet lid from said open position to said closed position; and   an elevation assembly configured to engage said toilet lid at said open position.   
   
   
       20 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said open position defines an elevation angle above the top ledge, and wherein said elevation assembly is positionable to increase or decrease said elevation angle of said open position. 
   
   
       21 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said gravitational torque biasing said toilet lid lessens as said center of gravity of said toilet lid approaches a perpendicular position above said axis of rotation, and wherein positioning said elevation assembly to increase or decrease said elevation angle of said open position alters a delay period over which said toilet lid moves between said open position and said closed position. 
   
   
       22 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein when said elevation angle is within a first range, said toilet seat and said toilet lid automatically rotate into said closed position when said toilet seat and said toilet lid are released in said open position, wherein when said elevation angle is within a second range, said toilet seat automatically rotates into said closed position and said toilet lid remains in said open position when said toilet seat and said toilet lid are released in said open position, and wherein when said elevation angle is within a third range, said toilet seat and said toilet lid remain in said open position when said toilet seat and said toilet lid are released in said open position. 
   
   
       23 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said elevation assembly comprises an adjustable member that is threadably engaged within an opening in said hinge mount, and wherein rotation of said adjustable member alters a height at which said elevation assembly engages a rear portion of said toilet lid, thereby adjusting said elevation angle of said open position. 
   
   
       24 . A toilet seat assembly as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said elevation assembly further comprises a spring that is associated with said adjustable member, and wherein adjusting said elevation angle of said open position alters a height at which said spring engages said toilet lid, thereby altering a stress placed on said spring when said toilet lid is in said open position and, in turn, a closing torque that said spring exerts on said toilet lid to rotate said toilet lid towards said closed position. 
   
   
       25 . A method for fully closing a toilet seat assembly mounted upon a toilet, comprising:
 capturing energy associated with opening said seat assembly; and   releasing said energy over a delay period thereby fully closing said seat assembly.   
   
   
       26 . A method as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said step of capturing energy associated with opening said seat assembly comprises deforming a spring member as said seat assembly is opened. 
   
   
       27 . A method as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said step of releasing said energy over said delay period comprises restricting release of said spring member over said delay period. 
   
   
       28 . A method as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said step of restricting release of said spring member comprises associating rotary dampers with said toilet seat assembly such that said rotary dampers restrict expansion of said spring member over said delay period. 
   
   
       29 . A method for automatically closing a toilet seat assembly, the method comprising:
 positioning a hinge point of a toilet seat relative to a center of gravity of said toilet seat such that when said toilet seat is in a vertical position, gravitational torque biases said toilet seat to close by force of gravity.   
   
   
       30 . A method as set forth in  claim 29 , further comprising positioning a hinge point of a toilet lid relative to a center of gravity of said toilet lid such that when said toilet lid is in a vertical position, gravitational torque biases said toilet lid to close by force of gravity. 
   
   
       31 . A method as set forth in  claim 30 , further comprising providing one or more dampers to restrain said toilet seat and said toilet lid such that said toilet seat and said toilet lid close over a desired delay period. 
   
   
       32 . A method as set forth in  claim 31 , further comprising providing a latch mechanism configured to retain said toilet seat assembly in an open position. 
   
   
       33 . A method as set forth in  claim 32 , further comprising providing a latch release mechanism configured to automatically unlatch said toilet seat assembly from said open position. 
   
   
       34 . A method as set forth in  claim 33 , further comprising providing a controller to enable or disable said latch mechanism.