Kohler Company

Erich C Vierkant, Iii

Brian M Kaule

Daniel N Halloran

Joseph L Stauber

Brian D Cowell

The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment.

Automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet

A seat for a plumbing fixture includes a substantially rigid base and a cushion. The base includes an upper surface and an underside. The cushion is coupled to the base and includes a radial inward edge and a radial outward edge. At least one of the inward and outward radial edges includes a flange extending toward the other of the inward and outward radial edges, and a portion of the base is positioned above the flange to secure the cushion to the base. A lowermost portion of the at least one of the inward and outward radial edges of the cushion is flush with the underside of the base.

Plumbing fixture seat

Disclosed are cushioned toilet seats. They have an upper cushion supported on a more rigid base. The base may be removably connected to the cushion via a snap-fit connection, and the cushion can include zones having different durometers around its circumference. The upper cushion may have flexible support legs that extend into a cavity between the base and cushion. In other forms a kit is provided to allow the upper cushion of the seat to be customized by the consumer.

Disclosed is a hinge assembly for connecting a toilet seat and cover to a rearward extension behind a toilet bowl. Two base members are permanently affixed to the extension in spaced fashion. Two hinge support members are provided to snap connect to the base members by virtue of flexible tabs on the base members interconnecting with side wall holes on the hinge supports. The hinge supports, seat and cover can be removed from the extension by squeezing the sides of the hinge support members, leaving only the bases attached to the extension. This facilitates cleaning.

Quick release toilet seat hinge assembly

A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting a toilet seat and/or cover in a releasable fashion to the rear of a toilet bowl base. The assembly includes a fastener permanently affixed to the toilet base on which is mounted a cross shaped mount. The mount is engaged by deflectable arms extending from a hinge base. The arms flex outward slightly during mounting and dismounting, where mounting and dismounting can be achieved by a horizontal sliding motion. A hinged cap snaps onto the pair of arms to cover the fastener and prevent deflection of the arms and thus separation of the base member from the fastener.

Releasable toilet seat assembly

A hinge assembly is provided for connecting a toilet seat and cover to a rearward extension behind a toilet bowl. A base member is permanently affixed to the extension. A hinge support member is rotatably linked to the base member in bayonet connection fashion. The hinge support, seat and cover can be removed from the, leaving only the base attached to the extension.

Releasable toilet seat hinge assembly

A mount assembly releasable mounts a toilet seat and cover to a toilet base. The assembly includes two fasteners permanently affixed to the toilet base engaged by deflectable arms of one or two base members of the mount assembly. The arms engage ring mounts disposed about the fasteners, flexing outward slightly during mounting and dismounting achieved by a simple horizontal sliding motion. When connected, hinged covers snap onto the pair of arms to cover the fasteners and prevent deflection of the arms and thus separation of the base member(s) from the fasteners.

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Sheboygan, WI, United States of America

Erich C Vierkant, Iii