IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,312,571
Granted Patent B2
US 8,312,571 · App. 11/473,717 · Granted Nov 20, 2012

Plumbing fixture seat

Assignee: Kohler Co.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,312,571
App. No.
11/473,717
Granted
Nov 20, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are cushioned toilet seats. They have an upper cushion supported on a more rigid base. The base may be removably connected to the cushion via a snap-fit connection, and the cushion can include zones having different durometers around its circumference. The upper cushion may have flexible support legs that extend into a cavity between the base and cushion. In other forms a kit is provided to allow the upper cushion of the seat to be customized by the consumer.

Claims (11)

1. A plumbing fixture seat suitable for attachment to a plumbing fixture, the seat comprising:

a substantially rigid base having an upper surface and an underside; and

an upper cushion coupled to the base, the upper cushion having an inward radial edge and an outward radial edge, the inward radial edge including an inwardly directed edge having a flange;

wherein an inner periphery of the rigid base is positioned above the flange of the upper cushion to secure the upper cushion to the base; and

wherein the outward radial edge of the upper cushion extends downward to a lowermost portion to at least partially define an outer periphery of the plumbing fixture seat, the lowermost portion being flush with the underside of the base.

2. The plumbing fixture seat of claim 1 , wherein the upper cushion comprises a rear zone configured to receive a buttocks area of a user and a forward zone configured to receive a thigh area of a user, the rear zone being formed of a more flexible material than the front zone.

3. The plumbing fixture seat of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the rear zone and the front zone is separately removable from the base while the other one of the rear zone and the front zone remains attached to the base.

4. The plumbing fixture seat of claim 1 , wherein the inner periphery of the base is received between the flange and an underside of the upper cushion in a snap-fit fashion.

5. The plumbing fixture seat of claim 4 , wherein the snap-fit is reversible so that the upper cushion can be selectively removed from the base.

6. The plumbing fixture seat of claim 1 , wherein the plumbing fixture seat is a toilet seat having a central hole extending through both the upper cushion and the base.

7. The plumbing fixture of claim 1 , wherein the underside of the base forms a generally planar surface at an outer periphery of the base, and the lowermost portion of the outward radial edge of the upper cushion terminates flush with the generally planar surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2006
From: VIERKANT III, ERICH C.; KAULE, BRIAN M.
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 018118/0117 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070294810A1 · Dec 27, 2007