Toilet seat hinge assembly

Abstract

A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post and a fastener for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl. The fastener includes a threaded portion configured to extend into a bore of the toilet bowl, a first segment coupled to an end portion of the threaded portion, a second segment configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded portion of the fastener. The threaded portion, the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the fastener are unitary.

1 . A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl, the hinge assembly comprising:
 a hinge post;   a fastener for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the fastener including
 a threaded portion configured to extend into a bore of the toilet bowl, 
 a first segment coupled to an end portion of the threaded portion, 
 a second segment configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener, and 
 a shear segment connecting the first and second segments, the shear segment having a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount; and 
   a nut threadably coupled to the threaded portion of the fastener;   wherein the threaded portion, the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the fastener are composed of a plastic material and are unitary.   
     
     
         2 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment is also configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment defines an annular recess configured to be engaged by a quick-release hinge post. 
     
     
         4 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded portion has a slot, and wherein the slot is configured to be engaged by a screwdriver to rotate the fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The hinge assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the slot is formed on an upward-facing surface of the first segment. 
     
     
         6 . The hinge assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the slot is formed within a periphery defined by the first segment. 
     
     
         7 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded portion, wherein the bushing is insertable into the bore of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         8 . The hinge assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the bushing includes projections extending radially outward therefrom, and wherein the projections are configured to engage an inner surface of the toilet bowl to align the bushing within the bore. 
     
     
         9 . The hinge assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the projections are configured to deflect as the bushing is inserted into the bore. 
     
     
         10 . The hinge assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the bushing includes a flange, and wherein the flange is supported on an upper surface of the hinge post. 
     
     
         11 . The hinge assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the second segment of the fastener abuts the flange of the bushing. 
     
     
         12 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge post defines an elongated opening, wherein the threaded portion of the fastener extends through the elongated opening, and wherein the elongated opening allows a position of the hinge post to be adjusted relative to the fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The hinge assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded portion and including a flange, wherein the flange is supported on an upper surface of the hinge post over the elongated opening. 
     
     
         14 . The hinge assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the flange includes a first series of teeth, wherein the upper surface of the hinge post includes a second series of teeth, and wherein the first series of teeth intermeshes with the second series of teeth to inhibit movement of the hinge post relative to the bushing and the fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge post includes a base portion and a post portion, wherein the base portion defines a recessed area that receives at least part of the fastener, and wherein the hinge portion is configured to pivotally couple to the toilet seat. 
     
     
         16 . The hinge assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the hinge post further includes a cover, and wherein the cover is movable between an open position, in which the cover allows access to the recessed area, and a closed position, in which the cover substantially covers the recessed area when the second segment of the fastener is separated from the first segment. 
     
     
         17 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment and the second segment of the fastener have similarly-shaped outer surfaces. 
     
     
         18 . The hinge assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the outer surfaces of the first and second segments are hex-shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The hinge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the adaptor are coaxially aligned. 
     
     
         20 . The hinge assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the fastener are coaxially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the threaded portion.