Installation and Reinforcement Pads for a Toilet Seat

Abstract

The present invention discloses a toilet seat reinforcement adhesive pad kit. The adhesive pad kit includes a pair of adhesive pads shaped and dimensioned to conventional toilet seat mounting tabs. The adhesive pads are configured to adhere to a toilet for preventing a toilet seat from moving laterally. More specifically, each adhesive pad includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a bolt hole therethrough. The top surface, inner perimeter of the bolt hole, and the bottom surface can each include an adhesive layer or coating. Each adhesive pad is configured to be positioned on a toilet surface using the bottom surface and bolt hole aligned with a hole of the toilet surface. A mounting tab of a toilet seat is placed on the top surface of the adhesive pad such that a fastener can fasten the toilet seat to the adhesive pad using a mechanical fastener.

Claims

1. An adhesive pad kit for installation and mounting of a toilet seat to a toilet bowl base, the adhesive pad kit comprising: a pair of pads each including a top surface and a bottom surface; each of said pair of pads including a hole therethrough for alignment with a mounting hole in the toilet bowl base; each of said pair of pads includes a first adhesive layer on a top surface and a second adhesive layer on a bottom surface; said top surface adhesive layer adapted to receive a mounting tab of the toilet seat; and said bottom surface adhesive layer adapted to be mounted to the toilet bowl base.

2. The adhesive pad kit of claim 1, wherein said first and said second adhesive layer further comprise a protective film layer for selective removal prior to installing said pair of pads.

3. The adhesive pad kit of claim 1, wherein said top surface of each of said pair of pads includes a perimeter wall extending upward to prohibit lateral movement of the mounting tab of the toilet seat.

4. The adhesive pad kit of claim 3, wherein said hole of each of said pair of pads receives a mounting bolt therethrough for securing the mounting tab of the toilet seat to each of said pair of pads and to the toilet bowl base.

5. The adhesive pad kit of claim 3, wherein a shape of each of said pair of pads is selected from a group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an oval.

6. An adhesive pad kit for installation and mounting of a toilet seat to a toilet bowl base, the adhesive pad kit comprising: a pair of pads each including a top surface and a bottom surface; each of said pair of pads including a hole therethrough for alignment with a mounting hole in the toilet bowl base; a perimeter of said hole including an adhesive; each of said pair of pads includes a first adhesive layer on a top surface and a second adhesive layer on a bottom surface; said top surface adhesive layer adapted to receive a mounting tab of the toilet seat; said bottom surface adhesive layer adapted to be mounted to the toilet bowl base; and said top surface of each of said pair of pads includes a perimeter wall extending upward to prohibit lateral movement of the mounting tab of the toilet seat.

7. The adhesive pad kit of claim 6, wherein said first and said second adhesive layers further comprise a protective film layer for selective removal prior to installing said pair of pads.

8. The adhesive pad kit of claim 6, wherein said hole of each of said pair of pads receives a mounting bolt therethrough for securing the mounting tab of the toilet seat to said pad and to the toilet bowl base.

9. The adhesive pad kit of claim 6, wherein a shape of each of said pair of pads is selected from a group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an oval.

10. A method of installing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl base using a pair of adhesive pads, the method comprising the steps of: providing an adhesive pad kit including the pair of adhesive pads, each of said pair of adhesive pads including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole therethrough for alignment with a mounting hole in the toilet bowl base, wherein said top surface includes a first adhesive layer and said bottom surface includes a second adhesive layer; removing a first protective film layer from said second adhesive layer of each of said pair of adhesive pads; aligning said hole of each of said pair of adhesive pads to a mounting hole in the toilet bowl base; and mounting each of said pair of adhesive pads by adhering said second adhesive layer to the toilet bowl base.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising a step of removing a second protective film layer from said first adhesive layer of each of said pair of adhesive pads.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of affixing a mounting tab of the toilet seat to said first adhesive layer of each of said pair of adhesive pads.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of affixing another mounting tab of the toilet seat to said first adhesive layer of another of said pair of adhesive pads.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of mounting a first bolt through the mounting tab of the toilet seat and through a first of said pair of adhesive pads, and securing the first bolt to the toilet bowl base.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising a step of mounting a second bolt through another mounting tab of the toilet seat and through another of said pair of adhesive pads, and securing the second bolt to the toilet bowl base.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said top surface of each of said pair of adhesive pads includes a perimeter wall extending upward to prohibit lateral movement of the mounting tab of the toilet seat.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of selecting a shape for each of said pair of adhesive pads, wherein the shape is selected from a group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a circle, and an oval.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising a step of selecting a color of each of said pair of adhesive pads to match a color of the toilet bowl base.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein a perimeter of said hole includes an adhesive.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising a step of selecting a color of said pair of adhesive pads to match a color of the toilet seat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0016] FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of an adhesive pad of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an adhesive pad of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the removal of a bottom adhesive protective film layer of an adhesive pad of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of adhesive pads of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention attached to a toilet bowl surface in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the attachment of a seat cover to one potential embodiment of the adhesive pads of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged plan view of the toilet seat anchored to one potential embodiment of the adhesive pads of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0023] As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a device that resolves the common problem of shifting toilet seats. There is also a long felt need in the art for a device that ensures the users can comfortably use the toilets without worrying about sliding toilet seat issues. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that prevents the toilet seat from moving side to side during use. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that eliminates the need to tighten the bolts or hinges frequently, and that does not require the users to replace the old bolts with new ones to properly secure the toilet seat with the toilet base. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an adhering device that securely fastens the toilet seat to the toilet base and allows the user to comfortably use the toilet. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that can secure the toilet seat to the toilet base of any shape and size, and improves the overall experience of the user.

[0024] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, a pair of adhesive pads for securing a toilet seat to a toilet bowl is disclosed. Each adhesive pad includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a bolt hole. The top surface, inner surface of the bolt hole, and the bottom surface having an adhesive layer or coating wherein the adhesive layer is protected by a removable protective film layer. The protective film layer protects the adhesive layer from dust and debris and is configured to be removed, thereby allowing the adhesive pad to attach to a surface. The bottom surface of the adhesive pad attaches to the toilet bowl surface and the top surface receives the anchor of the toilet seat. The anchor is retained within a walled perimeter extending upward from the top surface of the adhesive pad. The bolt hole receives a bolt therethrough to secure the toilet seat to the toilet surface wherein the bolt hole is aligned with the toilet bowl surface hole and toilet seat anchor hole. The pair of adhesive pads are attached to the toilet surface with the respective adhesive pad bolt holes aligned to the holes of the toilet surface.

[0025] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of toilet seat reinforcement pads kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The present invention offers a pair of adhesive pads, a first adhesive pad 110 and a second adhesive pad 120. The adhesive pads 110, 120 are identical in shape and size and configured to attach to a toilet bowl base and a toilet seat. Each adhesive pad 110, 120 includes a strong adhesive layer on the bottom surface to attach to the toilet bowl and a strong adhesive layer on the top surface to attach to an anchor or mounting tab of the seat cover. A bolt hole is present in each adhesive pad 110, 120 and the bolt hole is aligned to the holes present on the toilet bowl base and toilet seat for fastening the toilet seat during installation. In one potential embodiment, the adhesive pads 110, 120 are generally rectangular in shape. However, to fasten any conventional toilet seat on any toilet bowl, the adhesive pads 110, 120 can be of any geometric shape such as circular, square or oval. Details of the structure of the adhesive pads 110, 120 are described in the subsequent figures. The kit 100 of the present invention can be used, or retrofitted, for conventional toilet seats already installed in households, offices, and public toilets or can be designed and commercially available with newly manufactured toilet seats.

[0026] FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of an adhesive pad of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. It should be noted that although the present embodiment is described for the first adhesive pad 110, it is to be appreciated that the configuration and structure of both the adhesive pads 110, 120 of the kit are similar. The first adhesive pad 110 is generally rectangular in shape and size and includes a pair of longitudinal walls 1108, 1112, a front wall 1106 and a rear wall 1110. The top surface 1102 is covered with an adhesive protective film layer 1116 that protects the adhesive of the top surface 1102. The protective film layer 1116 can be removed prior to adhering the top surface 1102 to a seat cover anchor. A bolt hole 1114 cut near the front wall 1106 receives a bolt for fastening the toilet seat to the toilet bowl. During installation, the bolt hole 1114 in the pad 110 is correctly aligned with the holes of the toilet bowl. The inner curved surface of the bolt hole 1114 also includes a strong adhesive layer for providing additional support and stability to the received bolt.

[0027] The top surface 1102 of the adhesive pad 110 secures to the toilet seat anchor and the adhesive prevents the sideways movement of the toilet seat. The walls of the adhesive pad 110 extend vertically from the top surface 1102 to support a receiving anchor or mounting tab of the toilet seat. The walled perimeter of the top surface 1102 (FIG. 2A) prohibits lateral movement of the mounting tab after installation. The adhesive pads 110, 120 are also fastened to the toilet bowl via a mechanical fastener such as a bolt or a rivet.

[0028] FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an adhesive pad of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, the bottom surface 1104 of the first adhesive pad 110 is covered by a bottom adhesive protective film layer 1118 to protect the adhesive of the bottom surface 1104 prior to installation. The bottom surface 1104 is placed on the toilet bowl and the bolt hole 1114 is aligned with the hole of the toilet bowl. The interior perimeter 1122 of bolt hole 1114 can include an adhesive lining for additional securement between the pad 110, the toilet seat, and the toilet bowl base.

[0029] Both the adhesive pads (110, 120 of FIG. 1) are placed on the toilet bowl with respective bolt holes aligned to the holes of the toilet bowl wherein the top surfaces of the pads 110, 120 receive respective toilet seat anchors or mounting tabs to adhere to the top surfaces of the pads 110, 120.

[0030] In one potential embodiment, walls 1106, 1108, 1110, 1112 of the adhesive pads 110, 120 of the present invention are flexible and can be flexed by applying a little force on the walls. The length and width (i.e. dimensions and shape) of the walls can be customized in accordance with the size of the toilet seat anchors. The adhesive layers on the top surface 1102 and the bottom surface 1104 of the adhesive pad 110 can easily attach to materials such as ceramic and plastic. Further, the adhesive on the reinforcement pads 110, 120 is waterproof and includes a very sticky backing. The adhesive avoids slipping of the adhesive pad 110, 120 on the toilet bowl and does not leave a mark when removed from the toilet bowl.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the removal of a bottom adhesive protective film layer of an adhesive pad of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. To stick the adhesive pad 110 to a toilet bowl, the bottom adhesive protective film layer 1118 is peeled off from the bottom surface 1104 to expose the adhesive on the bottom surface 1104. The bolt hole 1114 is then aligned with a hole on the toilet bowl surface and, using the adhesive of the bottom surface 1104, the adhesive pad 110 is attached and adhered to the toilet bowl. The adhesive can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive and provides excellent adhesion to ceramic, plastic, metals and glass.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of adhesive pads of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention attached to a toilet bowl surface in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, in use, the adhesive pads 110, 120 are attached to the toilet bowl surface or toilet base 402 after removing bottom layer adhesive protector as described in FIG. 3. The first adhesive pad 110 is placed by aligning the bolt hole 1114 over a first hole of the toilet base 402. Similarly, the second adhesive pad 120 is placed by aligning the corresponding bolt hole 1214 over a second hole of the toilet base 402.

[0033] After placing the first adhesive pad 110 on the base surface 402, the top adhesive protective film layer 1116 is removed to reveal the top surface 1102 of the adhesive pad 110. Similarly, after the second adhesive pad 120 is placed on the base surface 402, the top adhesive protective film layer 1216 is removed to reveal the top surface 1202 of the adhesive pad 120. The top adhesive protective film layers 1116, 1216 can be removed prior to placing the adhesive pads 110, 120 onto the toilet bowl surface 402 as per the preferences of a user.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the attachment of a seat cover to one potential embodiment of the adhesive pads of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, first adhesive pad 110 and the second adhesive pad 120 are secured to the toilet base 402 using the respective bottom surfaces. The bolt holes 1114, 1214 are aligned to the holes 530 of the toilet base 402. To place a seat cover 502 on the toilet seat, the seat anchors or mounting tabs 510, 520, having respective holes 5100, 5200, are aligned to the bolt holes 1114, 1214 and toilet bowl holes 530. Then, using expansion nuts, bolts or rivets, the seat cover 502 can be attached to the toilet bowl 402. Conventional nuts, bolts or rivets 540 are inserted into the aligned holes of the seat 5100, 5200, adhesive pads 1114, 1214, and toilet bowl 530 to securely attach the seat cover 502 to the toilet base surface 402. The diameters of the bolt holes 1114, 1214 are dimensioned as per the size of holes 530 of the toilet base surface 402.

[0035] The adhesive pads 110, 120 are securely attached to the toilet bowl 402 using their bottom surfaces, and the anchors 510, 520 of the seat 502 are attached to the top surfaces of the adhesive pads 110, 120. The adhesive layers provide a strong and effective hold for the toilet seat and prohibit the sideways or lateral movement of the seat 502 on the toilet bowl 402. To replace the adhesive pads of a toilet seat, the toilet seat 502 can be removed and the area near the adhesive pads can be cleaned. Then, the existing adhesive pads are removed and replaced with new adhesive pads. The user only needs to apply a light pressure to attach the adhesive pads to the toilet bowl surface.

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged plan view of the toilet seat anchored to one potential embodiment of the adhesive pads of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As shown, once the first adhesive pad 110 is attached to the toilet bowl surface 402, the toilet seat 502 is placed on the surface 402 by placing a seat anchor or mounting tab 510 on the top surface 1102 of the adhesive pad 110. The adhesive pad 110 is dimensioned to correspond to the size and shape of the anchor 510.

[0037] The adhesive pads 110, 120 of the present invention are easy to install and can be used on any conventional type of toilet. The adhesive pads 110, 120 are adaptable to the anchor dimensions and are flexible. The adhesive pads 110, 120 can be pressed to securely attach to the toilet bowl surface 402. The adhesive pads 110, 120 are sized and shaped to different anchor shapes and can come in various colors to match a toilet seat color and/or toilet bowl base color.

[0038] The adhesive pads 110, 120 of the present invention are economical and convenient for individuals to use. The self-adhesive film protective film layers, for example layers 1116, 1118, of the pads 110, 120, are easy to remove and the product is suitable for ordinary family bathrooms, as well as public toilets.

[0039] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “toilet seat reinforcement pad kit” and “adhesive pads kit” are interchangeable and refer to the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit 100 of the present invention.

[0040] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the toilet seat reinforcement pad kit 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0041] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0042] What includes been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.