IP Library Granted Patent US 12674310
Granted Patent B2
US 12674310 · App. 18/591,779 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Rotationally molded ligature resistant toilet

Inventors: Timothy Brandli (Zionsville, IN); William Craig Alderson (Brownsburg, IN)
Assignee: Willoughby Industries Inc
E03D11/02B29C41/04E03D11/135B29L2031/7694
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12674310
App. No.
18/591,779
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ligature resistant toilet includes a frame that surrounds a bowl assembly. The frame may be made by rotational molding to create a seamless, one-piece component. The frame includes a front surface, a left surface, and a right surface that are all connected to a top surface by a rounded transition surface. A seat assembly is defined on the top surface of the frame and includes a seat that defines a bowl opening. The frame supports a bowl assembly that is positioned within a hollow interior of the frame. The bowl assembly includes a bowl and a spray ring supported by a top surface of the bowl. Piping may be attached to a trapway of the bowl assembly and extend exterior to the frame to an exterior plumbing system.

Claims (34)

1 . A ligature resistant toilet comprising:

a frame defining a hollow interior and including a top surface with a seat assembly defined on said top surface;

a bowl assembly positioned within said hollow interior of said frame and supported by said frame;

wherein said seat assembly includes a seat, and wherein said seat is integrally formed with the top surface of said frame;

wherein said seat is raised with respect to a top surface platform that extends rearwardly from said seat assembly; and

wherein said frame is a monolithic structure formed by rotational molding.

2 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1 , wherein said frame includes a curved front surface positioned between a left surface and a right surface.

3 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 2 , wherein a rounded transition edge is positioned between said curved front surface and said left surface of said frame, and wherein a rounded transition edge is positioned between said top surface and said right surface of said frame.

4 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1 , wherein said seat assembly is positioned atop the bowl assembly.

5 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1 , wherein a top surface platform extends rearwardly from said seat assembly.

6 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 5 , wherein a rounded transition is positioned between said top surface platform and said seat assembly.

7 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1 , wherein a lip is positioned between a first end of said seat and a second end of said seat, and wherein said first end and said second end of said seat are raised with respect to said lip.

8 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 1 , wherein the bowl assembly includes a bowl positioned within said hollow interior of said frame and a spray ring attached at a top surface of said bowl.

9 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 8 , wherein an inner surface of said seat assembly is wrapped around said spray ring to attach said spray ring and said bowl to said frame.

10 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 9 , further comprising:

a seal gasket positioned between said spray ring and said frame, wherein said seal gasket is configured to prevent liquid from entering the hollow interior of said frame.

11 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 8 , wherein said bowl assembly includes a trapway attached to said bowl, and wherein said trapway includes a tube opening configured to receive a pipe to connect the toilet to an exterior plumbing system.

12 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 11 , wherein said pipe connecting the toilet to the exterior plumbing system exits said frame at a rear surface opening.

13 . The ligature resistant toilet of claim 11 , wherein said pipe connecting the toilet to the exterior plumbing system exits said frame at a bottom surface opening.

14 . A method comprising the steps of:

rotationally molding a frame of a ligature resistant toilet, wherein said frame defines a hollow interior and includes a top surface with a seat assembly defined on said top surface;

attaching a bowl assembly to said frame so that said bowl assembly is positioned within a hollow interior defined by said frame, wherein said bowl assembly includes a bowl;

wherein said seat assembly includes an inner surface, and wherein said inner surface of said seat assembly is wrapped around a top surface of said bowl of said bowl assembly to attach said bowl assembly to said frame; and

wherein said frame is seamless and monolithic.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said bowl assembly includes a spray ring and wherein said inner surface of said seat assembly is wrapped around said spray ring when said bowl assembly is attached to said frame.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising,

inserting a seal gasket between said spray ring and said seat assembly of said frame.

17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising,

attaching a trapway of the bowl assembly to a pipe, wherein at least a portion of said pipe is positioned within said hollow interior of said frame and at least a portion of said pipe is exterior of said frame.

18 . A ligature resistant toilet comprising:

a frame defining a hollow interior and including a top surface with a seat assembly defined on said top surface;

a bowl assembly positioned within said hollow interior of said frame and supported by said frame;

wherein said seat assembly includes an inner surface, and wherein said inner surface of said seat assembly is wrapped around a top surface of said bowl of said bowl assembly to attach said bowl assembly to said frame;

wherein said frame is a monolithic structure formed by rotational molding.