Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of toilet arrangements. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an interlock unit for a toilet seat assembly of a toilet arrangement.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.
[0003] Toilet arrangements are known in sanitation industry, to enable persons to defecate in good sanitary conditions. Toilet arrangements may be one of a wall-hung toilet arrangement, a floor-mounted toilet arrangement, and the like. A typical toilet arrangement includes a toilet seat assembly and a flush arrangement, wherein the toilet seat assembly comprises a toilet bowl, a seat cover adapted to cover a seat of the toilet bowl, and a lid cover adapted to cover the toilet bowl. Notably, each of the seat cover and lid cover are pivotally attached to one end of the toilet bowl, such that each of the seat cover and lid cover are adapted to be manipulated between a horizontally closed position and a vertically open position relative to the toilet bowl. The present disclosure primarily aims to address the concerns pertaining to the toilet seat assembly of the toilet arrangement.
[0004] In the conventionally known toilet seat assembly, there exists a high priority concern related health and hygiene arising out of soiling of the seat of the toilet bowl. Generally, a male user prefers to stand proximal to the toilet bowl while urinating, which is prone to cause urine spillage on the toilet seat. Such urine spillage across the toilet seat is further prone to make contact with the skin of a user seated thereon, thereby drawing a high probability of causing skin related illnesses.
[0005] One conventional solution is provided by manually lifting of the lid cover as well as the seat cover of the toilet bowl, by the male user, for urinating, and manual lifting of merely the lid cover thereof, by the user, for defecating. Such manual lifting of each of the lid cover and the seat cover may still cause discomfort to the user.
[0006] Accordingly, in light of the limitations and drawbacks existing in the field of art, there exists a well felt need to provide a reliable, cost-effective, easy to handle, and novel interlock unit for a toilet seat assembly of the toilet arrangement, capable of selectively interlocking the lid cover and seat cover together, as per the user requirement, which the present disclosure aims to address.
SUMMARY
[0007] This section is intended to introduce certain aspects of the disclosed invention in a simplified form, and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure.
[0008] The present disclosure relates to an interlock unit for a toilet seat assembly of a toilet arrangement, wherein the toilet seat assembly comprises a lid cover and a seat cover. The interlock unit comprises: a base plate member resiliently and pivotally adjustable between a released position and a manipulated position relative to the lid cover; and an interlock member selectively coupled to the base plate member, to be adjusted between a first fixed position and a second fixed position relative thereto. Notably, in the released position of the base plate member, the interlock member engages with a portion of the seat cover, while the interlock member is in the first fixed position, to thereby interlock the seat cover to the lid cover. While in the manipulated position of the base plate member, the interlock member is pivotally adjusted to disengage from the portion of the seat cover, while the interlock member is in the first fixed position, thereby releasing the seat cover from the lid cover.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, in each of the released position and the manipulated position of the base plate member, the interlock member is disengaged from the portion of the seat cover, while the interlock member is in the second fixed position, to thereby release the seat cover from the lid cover.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the lid cover defines a lid cover portion, and a lid extension portion extending outwards therefrom, wherein the base plate member of the interlock unit is resiliently and pivotally attached to the lid extension portion of the lid cover.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the base plate member defines: a top face defining a first pair of snap provisions extending laterally therefrom; and a rear face defining a second pair of snap provisions extending laterally therefrom.
[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the interlock member defines a first end, a second end, and an intermediate plate portion extending therebetween. In particular, the first end of the interlock member engages with the first pair of snap provisions of the base plate member, by means of snap fit attachment, to lock the interlock member to the base plate member in the first fixed position. While at least a section of the intermediate plate portion of the interlock member engages with the second pair of snap provisions, by means of snap fit attachment, to lock the interlock member to the base plate member in the second fixed position.
[0013] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the seat cover defines at least a grooved region on a periphery thereof, such that the second end of the interlock member engages with the at least one grooved region defined in the seat cover, while the interlock member is in the first fixed position, to thereby interlock the seat cover to the lid cover. While the second end of the interlock member disengages from the at least one grooved region defined in the seat cover, while the interlock member is in the first fixed position, to thereby release the seat cover from the lid cover.
[0014] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the toilet arrangement comprises a pneumatic cylinder arrangement and a flush arrangement, the pneumatic cylinder arrangement being fluidly connected to the flush arrangement.
[0015] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the pneumatic cylinder arrangement comprises a cylinder member, and a piston member slidably positioned within the cylinder member, such that the piston member is adjustable between an extended position and a normally retracted position relative to the cylinder member.
[0016] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the piston member defines an extension portion extending therefrom, such that in the extended position of the piston member, the extension portion thereof extends towards the lid cover being in a vertically open position, to thereby adjust the lid cover to a horizontally closed position from the vertically open position thereof.
[0017] According to still another aspect of the present invention, a combination of the lid cover and the seat cover can be manually adjusted together, between the vertically open position and the horizontally closed position thereof, when the lid cover is interlocked with the seat cover. Further, the lid cover and the seat cover can also be manually adjusted individually, between the vertically open position and the horizontally closed position thereof, when the lid cover is released from the seat cover.
[0018] The present disclosure further relates to a toilet arrangement comprising at least one interlock unit as described hereinabove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:
[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat assembly of a toilet arrangement, illustrating a lid cover, a seat cover, and a toilet bowl comprised therein, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0021] Figure 2a is a first perspective view of an arrangement of the toilet seat assembly of Figure 1 and an interlock unit, illustrating the interlock unit in a released position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0022] Figure 2b is a second perspective view of the arrangement of Figure 2a, illustrating the interlock unit in a released position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0023] Figure 2c is a sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 2a, illustrating the interlock unit in a released position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0024] Figure 3 is a side plan view of the arrangement of Figure 2a, illustrating the interlock unit in a manipulated position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0025] Figure 4 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 2a, illustrating an interlock member of the interlock unit in a second fixed position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0026] Figure 5a is a top perspective view of the interlock unit, illustrating the interlock member in a first fixed position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0027] Figure 5b is a bottom perspective view of the interlock unit of Figure 5a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0028] Figure 5c is a sectional side view of the interlock unit of Figure 5a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0029] Figure 6a is a bottom perspective view of the interlock unit, illustrating the interlock member in the second fixed position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0030] Figure 6b is a sectional side view of the interlock unit of Figure 6a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0031] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the toilet arrangement, illustrating a pneumatic cylinder arrangement comprised therein, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0032] Figure 7a is a side view of the toilet arrangement of Figure 7, illustrating the pneumatic cylinder arrangement in a retracted position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0033] Figure 7b is a side view of the toilet arrangement of Figure 7, illustrating the pneumatic cylinder arrangement in an extended position thereof, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0034] Figure 8 is a sectional perspective view of the pneumatic cylinder arrangement, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
[0035] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an arrangement between a flush arrangement and the pneumatic cylinder arrangement of the toilet arrangement of Figure 7, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
[0037] The embodiments set out in the present disclosure relate to an interlock unit [200] for a toilet seat assembly [102] of a toilet arrangement [100], capable of selectively interlocking the lid cover [104] and seat cover [106] together, as per the user requirement. By way of reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed understanding of the concepts of the present disclosure is described hereunder.
[0038] As seen from figures 1, 2a, and 7 in conjunction with each other, the toilet arrangement [100] of the present invention comprises a toilet seat assembly [102], a flush arrangement [108] fluidly connected to the toilet seat assembly [102], an interlock unit [200], and a pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] fluidly connected to the flush arrangement [108]. In one implementation, the toilet arrangement [100] may comprise more than one interlock unit [200], and the same is encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. The structure and arrangement of the flush arrangement [108] is commonly known to a person skilled in the art, and therefore is not reiterated herein for the sake of brevity. A structure and arrangement of the toilet seat assembly [102] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0039] TOILET SEAT ASSEMBLY
[0040] As seen from figure 1, the toilet seat assembly [102] comprises a toilet bowl [110] defining a seat thereon, a seat cover [106] adapted to cover the seat of the toilet bowl [110], and a lid cover [104] adapted to cover each of the seat cover [106] and thereby the seat of the toilet bowl [110]. In particular, the lid cover [104], as seen from figure 2a, comprises a lid cover portion [104a], and a lid extension portion [104b] extending outwards therefrom. Notably, the lid extension portion [104b] protrudes outward from the toilet bowl [110], allowing a user to conveniently access the same manually. Additionally, the lid extension portion [104b] of the lid cover [104] facilitates resilient and pivotal attachment of the interlock unit [200] on a bottom side thereof. The seat cover [106], as seen from figure 2b, defines at least a grooved region [106a] on a periphery thereof, to facilitate interlocking of the seat cover [106] with the lid cover [104], by means of the interlock unit [200]. A structure and arrangement of the interlock unit [200] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0041] INTERLOCK UNIT
[0042] Figure 5a is a top perspective view of the interlock unit [200], in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 5b is a bottom perspective view of the interlock unit [200] of Figure 5a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 5c is a sectional side view of the interlock unit [200] of Figure 5a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 6a is a bottom perspective view of the interlock unit [200], in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 6b is a sectional side view of the interlock unit [200] of Figure 6a, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, and 6b are to be viewed in conjunction with the ensuing disclosure, in order to better understand the contents hereof.
[0043] The interlock unit [200] is resiliently and pivotally deployed in the toilet seat assembly [102]. More particularly, the interlock unit [200] is resiliently and pivotally attached to a bottom side of the lid extension portion [104b] of the lid cover [104] of the toilet seat assembly [102]. The interlock unit [200] comprises a base plate member [202] and an interlock member [204]. A structure and arrangement of the base plate member [202] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0044] BASE PLATE MEMBER
[0045] The base plate member [202] of the interlock unit [200] is resiliently and pivotally attached to the bottom side of the lid extension portion [104b] of the lid cover [104] of the toilet seat assembly [102]. Particularly, the base plate member [202] is resiliently and pivotally adjustable, between a released position and a manipulated position, relative to the lid cover [104] of the toilet seat assembly [102]. Notably, the base plate member [202] defines a top face [202a] defining a first pair of snap provisions [202b] extending laterally therefrom, and a rear face [202c] defining a second pair of snap provisions [202d] extending laterally therefrom.
[0046] INTERLOCK MEMBER
[0047] The interlock member [204] is selectively coupled to the base plate member [202], to be adjusted between a first fixed position and a second fixed position relative to the base plate member [202]. The interlock member [204] defines a first end [204a], a second end [204b], and an intermediate plate extending therebetween. Notably, the first end [204a] of the interlock member [204] engages with the first pair of snap provisions [202b] of the base plate member [202], by means of snap fit attachment, to lock the interlock member [204] to the base plate member [202] in the first fixed position. While at least a section of the intermediate plate portion [204c] of the interlock member [204] engages with the second pair of snap provisions [202d], by means of snap fit attachment, to lock the interlock member [204] to the base plate member [202] in the second fixed position.
[0048] As seen from each of the figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, in the released position of the base plate member [202], the interlock member [204] engages with a portion of the seat cover [106], preferably, the at least one grooved region [106a] defined thereon, while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position thereof, to thereby interlock the seat cover [106] to the lid cover [104]. More particularly, in the released position of the base plate member [202], the second end [204b] of the interlock member [204] engages with the at least one grooved region [106a] defined in the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position, to thereby interlock the seat cover [106] to the lid cover [104].
[0049] While, as seen from figure 3, in the manipulated position of the base plate member [202], the interlock member [204] is pivotally adjusted to disengage from the portion of the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position thereof, to thereby release the seat cover [106] from the lid cover [104]. More particularly, in the manipulated position of the base plate member [202], the second end [204b] of the interlock member [204] disengages from the at least one grooved region [106a] defined in the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position, to thereby release the seat cover [106] from the lid cover [104].
[0050] Furthermore, in each of the released position and the manipulated position of the base plate member [202], the interlock member [204] is disengaged from the portion of the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the second fixed position, to thereby release the seat cover [106] from the lid cover [104]. A structure and arrangement of the pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] will be described hereinafter in detail.
[0051] PNEUMATIC CYLINDER ARRANGEMENT
[0052] Referring to one of the figures 7a, 7b, and 9, the pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] is fluidly connected to the flush arrangement [108] of the toilet arrangement [100], to receive air supply therefrom. As seen from figure 8, the pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] comprises a cylinder member [302], and a piston member [304] slidably positioned within the cylinder member [302]. Notably, the piston member [304] is adjustable between an extended position (as shown in figure 7b) and a normally retracted position (as shown in figure 7a) relative to the cylinder member [302]. Notably, upon actuation of the flush arrangement [108], the cylinder member [302] of the pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] receives air therein, thereby facilitating extension of the piston member [304] to the extended position from the normally retracted position.
[0053] The piston member [304] further defines an extension portion [304a] extending therefrom, more particularly, outside the cylinder member [302] in each of the extended position and the retracted position of the piston member [304] relative to the cylinder member [302]. Notably, in the extended position of the piston member [304], the extension portion [304a] thereof extends towards the lid cover [104] being in a vertically open position, to thereby adjust the lid cover [104] to a horizontally closed position from the vertically open position thereof.
[0054] In particular, when the lid cover [104] is interlocked with the seat cover [106], by adjusting the base plate member [202] to the released position thereof, and the interlock member [204] to the first fixed position thereof, a combination of the lid cover [104] and the seat cover [106] can be manually adjusted together, between the vertically open position and the horizontally closed position thereof. While, when the lid cover [104] is released from the seat cover [106], by either adjusting the base plate member [202] to the manipulated position thereof, or adjusting the interlock member [204] to the second fixed position, the lid cover [104] and the seat cover [106] can be manually adjusted individually, between the vertically open position and the horizontally closed position thereof.
[0055] In assembly, initially, the base plate member [202] of the interlock unit [200] is resiliently and pivotally coupled to the lid extension portion [104b] of the lid cover [104], on the bottom side thereof, by means of a torsion spring. Thereafter, the interlock member [204] is attached in either of the first fixed position and the second fixed position thereof, by engaging the interlock member [204] with the first pair of snap provisions [202b] and the second pair of snap provisions [202d], respectively, to complete the assembly of the interlock unit [200] with the toilet seat assembly [102].
[0056] Various advantages of the disclosed interlock unit [200] exist, and the same have been enlisted hereunder. However, it should be understood that the enlisted advantages are merely illustrative and not exhaustive. The disclosed interlock unit [200] facilitates interlocking of the seat cover [106] with the lid cover [104], thereby enabling lifting of the combination of the seat cover [106] and the lid cover [104], thereby ensuring no spillage of urine on the seat cover [106]. Furthermore, the user may merely press the base plate member [202] towards the lid cover [104], to disengage the seat cover [106] therefrom, thereby enabling lifting of the lid cover [104] independently. Furthermore, the provision of pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] in the toilet arrangement [100] ensures automated closing of the lid cover [104] individually or in the interlocked combination of the lid cover [104] and the seat cover [106], upon actuation of the flush arrangement [108] by the user. Additionally, the user may conveniently adjust the interlock member [204] from the first fixed position to the second fixed position, thereby disabling the automatic interlocking of the seat cover [106] with the lid cover [104].
[0057] Although, particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended in any way to limit the intended scope of the invention. Variations and adaptions of the system as described herein do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention and is within the expertise of a person skilled in the art.
LIST OF COMPONENTS
100 – Toilet arrangement
102 – Toilet seat assembly
104 – Lid cover
104a – Lid cover portion
104b – Lid extension portion
106 – Seat cover
106a – Grooved region
108 – Flush arrangement
110 – Toilet bowl
200 – Interlock unit
202 – Base plate member
202a – Top face
202b – First pair of snap provisions
202c – Rear face
202d – Second pair of snap provisions
204 – Interlock member
204a – First end
204b – Second end
204c – Intermediate plate portion
300 – Pneumatic cylinder arrangement
302 – Cylinder member
304 – Piston member
304a – Extension portion , Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. An interlock unit [200] for a toilet seat assembly [102] of a toilet arrangement [100], the toilet seat assembly [102] comprising a lid cover [104] and a seat cover [106], the interlock unit [200] comprising:
- a base plate member [202] resiliently and pivotally adjustable between a released position and a manipulated position relative to the lid cover [104]; and
- an interlock member [204] selectively coupled to the base plate member [202], to be adjusted between a first fixed position and a second fixed position relative thereto, wherein,
in the released position of the base plate member [202], the interlock member [204] engages with at least a portion of the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position, to thereby interlock the seat cover [106] to the lid cover [104],
while in the manipulated position of the base plate member [202], the interlock member [204] is pivotally adjusted to disengage from the portion of the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position, to thereby release the seat cover [106] from the lid cover [104].
2. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein in each of the released position and the manipulated position of the base plate member [202], the interlock member [204] is disengaged from the portion of the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the second fixed position, to thereby release the seat cover [106] from the lid cover [104].
3. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid cover [104] defines:
- a lid cover portion [104a]; and
- a lid extension portion [104b] extending outwards therefrom,
wherein the base plate member [202] of the interlock unit [200] is resiliently and pivotally attached to the lid extension portion [104b] of the lid cover [104].
4. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate member [202] defines:
- a top face [202a] defining a first pair of snap provisions [202b] extending laterally therefrom; and
- a rear face [202c] defining a second pair of snap provisions [202d] extending laterally therefrom.
5. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the interlock member [204] defines a first end [204a], a second end [204b], and an intermediate plate portion [204c] extending therebetween, wherein
the first end [204a] of the interlock member [204] engages with the first pair of snap provisions [202b] of the base plate member [202], by means of snap fit attachment, to lock the interlock member [204] to the base plate member [202] in the first fixed position, and
at least a section of the intermediate plate portion [204c] of the interlock member [204] engages with the second pair of snap provisions [202d], by means of snap fit attachment, to lock the interlock member [204] to the base plate member [202] in the second fixed position.
6. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claims 1 and 5, wherein the seat cover [106] defines at least a grooved region [106a] on a periphery thereof, such that
- the second end [204b] of the interlock member [204] engages with the at least one grooved region [106a] defined in the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position and the base plate member [202] is in the released position thereof, to thereby interlock the seat cover [106] to the lid cover [104],
- while the second end [204b] of the interlock member [204] disengages from the at least one grooved region [106a] defined in the seat cover [106], while the interlock member [204] is in the first fixed position and the base plate member [202] is in the manipulated position thereof, to thereby release the seat cover [106] from the lid cover [104].
7. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toilet arrangement [100] comprises a pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] and a flush arrangement [108], the pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] being fluidly connected to the flush arrangement [108].
8. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pneumatic cylinder arrangement [300] comprises a cylinder member [302], and a piston member [304] slidably positioned within the cylinder member [302], such that the piston member [304] is adjustable between an extended position and a normally retracted position relative to the cylinder member [302].
9. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the piston member [304] defines an extension portion [304a] extending therefrom, such that in the extended position of the piston member [304], the extension portion [304a] thereof extends towards the lid cover [104] being in a vertically open position, to thereby adjust the lid cover [104] to a horizontally closed position from the vertically open position thereof.
10. The interlock unit [200] as claimed in claims 1 and 9, wherein
- a combination of the lid cover [104] and the seat cover [106] can be manually adjusted together, between the vertically open position and the horizontally closed position thereof, when the lid cover [104] is interlocked with the seat cover [106],
- while the lid cover [104] and the seat cover [106] can be manually adjusted individually, between the vertically open position and the horizontally closed position thereof, when the lid cover [104] is released from the seat cover [106].
11. A toilet arrangement [100] comprising at least one interlock unit [200] as claimed in claims 1-9.