EP1737322B1

EP1737322B1 - Slow closing mechanism for toilet covers

Info

Publication number: EP1737322B1
Application number: EP05738993A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Osman Eczacibasi Yapi Gerecleri S. ve T. A.S. ER
Original assignee: Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2004-04-22
Filing date: 2005-04-08
Publication date: 2008-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-08
Also published as: ATE404102T1; DE602005008931D1; US20080060120A1; RU2006141240A; TR200605172T2; IL178496A0; WO2005102137B1; AU2005235176A1; JP2007533398A; EP1737322A1; ES2313335T3; NZ549775A; RU2333716C1; WO2005102137A1

Abstract

Slow closing mechanism (A) for toilet covers according to the invention comprises left hinge shaft ( 1 ), right hinge shaft ( 2 ), main frame ( 3 ) and toilet fitting legs with slots ( 4 ) on the main frame ( 3 ), damper housings ( 5 ), compressing member ( 6 ) and slow closing dampers ( 7 ) and enabling easy fitting and disassembly on existing toilet covers without any modification.

Description

Technical Field

This invention relates to a mechanism frame providing slow closing for toilet covers.

Background Art

The mechanisms providing smooth closing of toilet covers have been manufactured for many years. In the prior art, for slow closing of toilet covers, mechanisms and frames hereof attached to the toilet have been well known. These mechanisms and/or frames hereof are problematic owing to the fact that they contain many parts, have complex structure, lead to bulkiness on the toilet, cause difficulties in assembling and maintenance hereof.
In the prior art, hinge mounting member of slow closing damper is used which is applied in industry and fitted on the toilet mounting holes separately and not connected to each other with a frame member. This system is characterized by being suitable for all kinds of toilets and toilet covers, but there is a mounting difficulty owing to the fact that frame and damper recesses are not connected to each other.
In a further prior art, the hinge mounting member of slow closing damper is single-frame wherein slow closing dampers are fixed into recesses by a claw coupling. However, there is a mounting difficulty owing to the fact that plastic attachments coupled into hinges of the slow closing are of single-piece. During assembly a single-piece mounting member is pre-fitted on the damper and then attached to the hinge recesses. However, due to this single-piece mounting member remains attached into the hinge recess, it is very difficult to replace this part during disassembly. Even if slow closing dampers are attached on the toilet cover, later has to be detached from the toilet during disassembly entirely as it is.
Moreover, toilet covers with a slow closing feature in the prior art patents/patent applications No. DE10020180 , DE3718705 , US6009568 , US5946740 , US5842235 , there are problems in respect to costs, usage and maintenance owing to the fact that they have complex structure.

Object of the invention

The object of this invention is to provide required attachment in order to apply slow closing damper system to existing toilet covers. It is aimed that by this attachment slow closing damper hinge can be used on existing toilet covers without any modification and easy assembly and disassembly possibility is provided. This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Patent application US6421842 discloses a slow closing mechanism for toilet covers which is regarded as representing the closest prior art with respect to the subject matter of claim 1. The subject matter of claim 1 differs from this mechanism in that:

its the two feet for toilet mounting are slotted;
its frame is jointed as hollow rectangular parallelepiped and hollow half
cylinder;
its two slow closing dampers are made of an elastic polymeric material; and
a compressing member is capable of being placed between its damper
housings and compressing the slow closing dampers between the left and the right hinge shafts with its end surfaces.

Description of the Drawings

The system of the invention is illustrated in the appended figures, in which:

Figure 1, is a left front perspective view of slow closing mechanism for toilet cover.
Figure 2, is a left front perspective view of slow closing mechanism for toilet cover before mounting.
Figure 3, is a right rear perspective view of slow closing mechanism for toilet cover when it is turned out.
Figure 4, is a right rear perspective view of slow closing mechanism for toilet cover after mounting In figures, each part is numbered individually and corresponds to the numbers given below:

A. Slow closing mechanism

1. Left hinge shaft
1 a. Surface a of the left hinge shaft
1 b. Surface b of the left hinge shaft
1 c. Surface c of the left hinge shaft
1 d. Surface d of the left hinge shaft
2. Right hinge shaft
2a. Surface a of the right hinge shaft
2b. Surface b of the right hinge shaft
2c. Surface c of the right hinge shaft
2d. Surface d of the right hinge shaft
3. Main frame
4. Slotted feet for toilet mounting
5. Damper housings
6. Compressing member
6a., 6b.End surfaces of compressing member
7. Slow closing damper
8. Top cover
9. Screws
10. Right hinge arm of top cover
11. Right hinge arm of bottom cover
12. Left hinge arm of bottom cover
13. Left hinge arm of top cover
14. Bottom cover
15. Hole for the left hinge shaft
16. Hole for the right hinge shaft
17. Opening for damper housings

Invention relates to slow closing mechanism for toilet covers (A), a hinge frame designed to make use of slow closing damper (7) in existing toilet covers of Vitra® or other brand names. It is aimed that to ensure slow closing damper (7) supplied from the market is seated in housings (5) and to prevent releasing from recesses hereof unintentionally.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to Figure 1 comprises left hinge shaft (1), right hinge shaft (2), main frame (3) and slotted feet for toilet mounting (4) on the main frame (3), damper housings (5), compressing member (6) and slow closing dampers (7) (shown in Figure 2).
As shown in Figure 2, main frame (3) consists of two slotted feet for toilet mounting (4) which attachment channels extend thereon, preferably a frame which is jointed as hollow rectangular parallelepiped and hollow half cylinder, receiving gap (17) for damper housings, hole (15) for the left hinge shaft on the left side and hole (16) for the right hinge shaft on the right side.
Left hinge shaft (1) is of four-staged structure which consists of surface a (1a) of the left hinge shaft in a cylindrical form, surface b (1 b) of the left hinge shaft in a hexagonal form, surface c (1c) of the left hinge shaft in a cylindrical form and surface d (1d) of the left hinge shaft in a cylindrical form.
Right hinge shaft (2) is of four-staged structure which consists of the surface a (2a) of the right hinge shaft in a hexagonal form, surface b (2b) of the right hinge shaft in a cylindrical form, surface c (2c) of the right hinge shaft in a cylindrical form and surface d (2d) of the right hinge shaft in a cylindrical form.
Slow closing dampers (7) are made of an elastic polymeric material in a cylindrical form.
Two damper housings (5) have a gap of semi-circle shape which slow closing dampers (7) are secured tightly thereon, have a structure to be placed in receiving gap (17) of damper housings (3) on the main frame.
Compressing member (6) as in Figures 2 and 3 is capable of being placed between damper housings (5) attached to the main frame (3) and compressing slow closing dampers with the end surfaces (6a, 6b) of the compressing member.
As shown in Figures 1 and 3, left hinge shaft (1) is attached to the main frame (3) such that surface d (1d) of the left hinge shaft remains in the main frame (3) and surfaces (1a, 1b, 1c) of the left hinge shaft protrude from the hole (15) for the left hinge shaft. The diameter of the hole (15) for the left hinge shaft is smaller than the diameter of surface d (1d) of the left hinge shaft and greater than the diameter of the surfaces (1a, 1b, 1c) of the left hinge shaft. Right hinge shaft (2) is attached to the main frame (3) such that surface d (2d) of the right hinge shaft remains in the main frame (3) and surfaces (2a, 2b, 2c) of the right hinge shaft protrude from the hole (16) of the right hinge shaft. The diameter of the hole (16) for the right hinge shaft is smaller than the diameter of the surface d (2d) of the right hinge shaft and greater than the diameter of surfaces (2a, 2b, 2c) of the right hinge shaft.
Mechanism in the main frame (3) as in Figure 2 is acquired when the slow closing dampers (7) as in Figure 2 are seated tightly in damper housings (5) and in a situated position through damper housings (5) as in Figure 3 by the capability of compressing member (6) as in Figure 3 to be received between damper housings (5). Rotational movements of left hinge shaft (1) and right hinge shaft (2) are slowed down by the capability of end surfaces (6a, 6b) of compressing member to compress the slow closing dampers (7) between the left and right hinge shafts (1, 2) in the main frame (3).
In smooth closing mechanism (A) as in Figure 4, right hinge arm (11) of the bottom cover and left hinge arm (12) of the bottom cover are attached to the bottom cover (14) of the toilet. Right hinge arm (11) of the bottom cover is attached to the surface b (2b) of the right hinge shaft by loose fitting. The left hinge arm (12) of the bottom cover is also attached to the surface b of the left hinge shaft (1b). Since the hole where the left hinge arm (12) of the bottom cover is attached to surface b (1b) of the left hinge shaft is hexagonal as surface b (1b) of the left hinge shaft, bottom cover and the left hinge arm (14) have capability to provide the rotational movement of the left hinge shaft (1). Consequently, bottom cover (14) has a property of slow closing and opening.
In smooth closing mechanism (A) as in Figure 4, right hinge arm (10) of the top cover and left hinge arm (13) of the top cover are attached to the top cover (8) of the toilet. Right hinge arm (10) of the top cover is attached to the surface a (2a) of the right hinge shaft. The left hinge arm (13) of the top cover is also attached to the surface a (1 a) of the left hinge shaft (1b) by loose fitting Since the hole where the right hinge arm (10) of the top cover is attached to surface a (1a) of the right hinge shaft is hexagonal as surface a (1a) of the right hinge shaft, top cover (8) and the right hinge arm (8) of the top cover have capability to provide a rotational movement of the right hinge shaft (2). Consequently, top cover (8) has a property of slow closing and opening.
The channels at the slotted feet for toilet mounting (4) on the main frame (3) as in Figure 4 are used to secure the screws (9) on the toilet.
All modifications on this preferred slow closing mechanism (A) which fall within the scope of the appended claims should be interpreted in the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

Slow closing mechanism (A) for toilet covers comprising,
• a main frame (3), designed to make use of slow closing dampers (7) in existing toilet covers, which consists of two slotted feet for toilet mounting (4) which attachment channels extend thereon, preferably said frame which is jointed as hollow rectangular parallelepiped and hollow half cylinder, receiving gap (17) for damper housings, hole (15) for the left hinge shaft on the left side and hole (16) for the right hinge shaft on the right side;

• screws (9) which are attached to the channels of the slotted feet for toilet mounting (4) whereon and secured on the toilet;

• a left hinge shaft (1), having four-staged structure, which is attached to the main frame (3) such that the surface d (1d) of the left hinge shaft, which is in cylindrical form, remains in the main frame (3);

• a right hinge shaft (2), having four-staged structure, which is attached to the main frame (3) such that the surface d (2d) of the right hinge shaft, which is in cylindrical form, remaining in the main frame (3);

• two damper housings (5), which each one having a gap of semi-circle shape which each slow closing damper (7) is secured tightly thereon, having a structure to be placed in receiving gap (17) on the main frame;

• a compressing member (6);

• two slow closing dampers (7), made of an elastic polymeric material in a cylindrical form, supplied from the market, which are seated in housings (5); whereby to provide required attachment for slow closing damper hinge system being used on existing toilet covers without any modification and with easy assembly and disassembly;
and also to slow down the rotational movements of left hinge shaft (1) and right hinge shaft (2), said compressing member (6) is capable of being placed between damper housings (5) attached to the main frame (3) and compressing, slow closing dampers between the left and the right hinge shafts (1,2), with its end surfaces (6a, 6b).
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces a, b and c (1a, 1b, 1c) of the left hinge shaft protrude from the hole (15) of the left hinge shaft.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces a, b and c (2a, 2b, 2c) of the right hinge shaft protrude from the hole (16) of the right hinge shaft.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 2, wherein the surface a (1 a) of the left hinge shaft is in a cylindrical form.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 2, wherein the surface b (1b) of the left hinge shaft is in a hexagonal form.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 2, wherein the surface c (1c) of the left hinge shaft is in a cylindrical form.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 3, wherein the surface a (2a) of the right hinge shaft is in a hexagonal form.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 3, wherein the surface b (2b) of the right hinge shaft is in a cylindrical form.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 3, wherein the surface c (2c) of the right hinge shaft is in a cylindrical form.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the hole (15) of the left hinge shaft (1) is smaller than the diameter of the surface d (1d) of the left hinge shaft and greater than the diameter of the surfaces a, b and c (1a, 1 b, 1 c) of the left hinge shaft.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the hole (16) of the right hinge shaft is smaller than the diameter of the surface d (2d) of the right hinge shaft and greater than the diameter of the surfaces a, b and c (2a, 2b, 2c) of the right hinge shaft.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the right hinge arm (11) of the bottom cover (14) for toilet is attached to the surface b (2b) of the right hinge shaft by a loose fitting.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the left hinge arm (12) of the bottom cover (14) for toilet is attached to the surface b (1b) of the left hinge shaft.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 13, wherein the hole where the left hinge arm (12) of the bottom cover (14) is attached to the surface b (1b) of the left hinge shaft is hexagonal as the surface b (1b) of the left hinge shaft to provide the rotational movement of the left hinge shaft (1).
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the right hinge arm (10) of the top cover (8) for toilet is attached to the surface a (2a) of the right hinge shaft.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 1, wherein the left hinge arm (13) of the top cover (8) for toilet is attached to the surface a (1a) of the left hinge shaft by a loose fitting.
Slow closing mechanism (A) according to claim 15, wherein the hole where the right hinge arm (10) of the top cover (8) is attached to the surface a (2a) of the right hinge shaft is hexagonal as the surface a (2a) of the right hinge shaft; to provide a rotational movement of the right hinge shaft (2).