Toilet Training Seat Assembly

This U.S. nonprovisional patent application is a continuation in part of U.S. design application, Ser. No. 29/944,321, filed on May 28, 2024, and now pending. This U.S. non-provisional patent application also claims priority to U.S. provisional application, Ser. No. 63/573,845, filed on Apr. 3, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to a toilet seat, and more particularly to a versatile, family-friendly toilet training seat assembly that is adapted to enhance the experience of toilet training.

Toilet training toddlers can be a challenging process, and several common problems may arise for both the toddlers and adults. As for toddlers, these issues can vary based on a toddler's readiness, temperament and the strategies used. Toddlers may experience resistance or fear of the toilet, lack of interest or motivation, regression, constipation and challenges during the training process.

Furthermore, for parents, toilet training can be frustrating and time-consuming. Indeed, setbacks in the process may test a parent's patience. For example, accidents, such as a toddler urinating outside of the toilet, are a natural part of the toilet training process. These accidents may occur for various reasons and handling them with patience and understanding is an important part of helping toddlers succeed in their efforts to become toilet trained. Accidents during the toilet training process may occur in toddlers due to a lack of physical awareness where toddlers may not recognize the urge to urinate in time to get to the toilet. Toddlers may also be distracted if they engage in play or another activity, resulting in a delay in using the toilet until it is too late.

In order to minimize accidents, parents and other caregivers often encourage toddlers to take regular bathroom breaks, especially after meals, drinks, or naps. Parents and other caregivers may also gently ask if the toddler needs to use the toilet, especially if the toddler seems distracted or fidgety. Likewise, dressing a toddler in clothing that is easy to remove independently is also encouraged to minimize accidents before and while using a trainer.

When accidents do occur, parents and other caregivers are encouraged to stay calm and avoid showing frustration or disappointment which can discourage and make a toddler anxious about trying in the future. Toddlers are also known in many instances to respond more positively to reassurance and encouragement with comments such as “Oops, that happens! Next time, let's try to get to the potty sooner.” Reinforcing success is another means to encourage toddlers. This may involve celebrating, praising or giving small rewards to build confidence when a toddler uses the potty or toilet successfully.

Nevertheless, despite the extensive efforts that are made to help toddlers adjust, toilet training accidents occur—both on and off a toilet. For example, “missing” or urinating outside of the toilet during training is a common concern. Since toddlers are still in the process of mastering their coordination and control, “misfires” are often expected. Accordingly, there is a need for a toilet training seat for toddlers that minimize the messes that are sometimes caused by a toddler who may accidentally miss the mark.

There are other drawbacks associated with existing toilet training seats. For example, toilet training seats in many prior designs often require repeated removal and replacement because they are not seamlessly integrated into the adult toilet setup. This can be inconvenient for parents and caregivers. Some common issues with such designs are that the training seats are detachable and must be taken off when adults use the toilet, making them inconvenient for shared use with children. In addition, poorly secured seats can slip or wobble, leading to discomfort or fear for the child when utilizing the training seat. Moreover, toilet training seats often need to be stored separately when not in use, taking up additional space. Likewise, over time, there are durability concerns insofar as frequent removal can cause wear and tear on the training seat or toilet rim.

In view of the limitations and drawbacks in the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved toilet training seat assembly that seamlessly integrates a toddler toilet training seat with an adult toilet seat.

It is another primary object of the present invention to provide an improved toilet training seat assembly having a raised splash guard and vertically extended shield wall that are adapted to minimize accidents or messes by toddlers who are being toilet trained.

It is yet another primary object of the present invention to provide an integrated magnetic coupling between the splash guard and cover or lid of the toilet training seat assembly to enable use by both adults and children, as needed.

It is a further primary object of the present invention to provide an improved toilet training seat assembly with a soft close hinge to minimize injury to toddlers and/or risk of pinching of a toddler's fingers during use.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved toilet training seat assembly with a toddler toilet training seat or potty seat that is adapted to be detached from an adult toilet seat for cleaning or when no longer needed.

A further primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved toilet training seat assembly that minimizes clutter by eliminating the need to utilize a potty seat that must be removed and replaced as needed for toilet training.

Yet another primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved toilet training seat assembly that reduces the rattling, knocking, banging and other noise associated with the use of toilet training seats for toddlers.

Additional objectives, features and advantages will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In summary, there is provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention an improved toilet training seat assembly comprising an adult toilet seat and cover or lid that are hingedly coupled to one another. The assembly further comprises a toddler toilet training seat or potty seat, which is removably attached to the adult toilet seat and which has a raised splash guard at the front end thereof. Integrated within the splash guard and cover of the assembly are a pair of magnets which enable the toddler toilet training or potty seat to remain connected to the lid in either a fully elevated position when the toilet training seat assembly is used by an adult or in a fully lowered position when the lid is closed over the adult toilet seat. When used by a toddler for toilet training, the potty seat may be rotated into a lowered position away from the lid by applying sufficient force to separate the coupled magnets positioned on each of the splash guard and lid from one another, leaving the lid in a raised or elevated position.

Another feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a soft close hinge that is integrated into the assembly, which helps minimize injury to children. When utilizing a prior art potty seat, a toddler may get a finger pinched when moving or rotating the potty seat downward. Here, a soft close mechanism prevents the potty seat from moving quickly and hurting a child. Likewise, through the use of a soft close hinge, there is less noise generated when the toddler potty seat is in use and alternates between an raised position and lowered position.

A further feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a connection apparatus which allows the combined seating unit to be locked in place when the seating unit is down and releasably engaged when the seating unit is rotated perpendicular to the surface of the toilet seat to which it is attached.

Additional features of the toilet training seat assembly are described below in more detail.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings,.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification. The sizes or proportions of elements illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. When an element is described as being on another element, the element may be directly disposed on the other element or intervening elements may be disposed therebetween.

The present invention relates to a toilet training assemblycomprising a cover or lidthat is hingedly attached to an adult toilet seat. The assemblyfurther comprises a toddler toilet training seat or potty seathaving a knuckle or connector limb. Potty seat knuckleextends rearward at the end of potty seatand removably engages hinge. Preferably, knuckleengages hingein a click or snap-on action, whereby knuckle flangesflex open and attach around hingewhen potty seatis forced rearward against hinge. When potty seatsnap engages hinge, it couples or mates with rectangular protrusion or extensionvia a corresponding or matching impression located interior of knuckle. Rectangular protrusionon hingehelps properly align and position potty seatwhere it belongs and maintains a tight and snug fit along hinge, providing a stable connection and impeding unintended lateral or other movement between potty seatand hinge. When engaged, rotating potty seatalso rotates hingein unison and in the same rotational direction.

Potty seathas a curved sloping surface to comfortably receive and seat a toddler thereon. At the front end of potty seatis a contoured and raised splash guardto help minimize accidents and messes caused by toddlers who urinate while sitting on potty seat. Raised splash guardforms a hump on the top of potty seat, which helps to impede the flow of urine outside of toilet training seat assemblyand potty seatthereof. Potty seatis preferably slightly concave, sinking toward adult seat holein order to reduce the amount of clearance needed as a result of the raised splash guard. Further impeding the flow of urine and directing the urine into a toilet is a front end shield wall or barrierthat extends vertically downward around the front end of potty seatand which is located beneath splash guard. Shield wallcooperates with underside surfaceof splash guardto help prevent urine from escaping and causing a mess.

On underside surfaceof splash guardis potty seat magnetwhich pairs with lid magnetpositioned on the underside of lid. When lidand potty seatare coupled to one another via magnets,, movement of lidbetween an open position and closed position also results in corresponding movement of potty seatbetween a raised or elevated position and a closed position, as shown inand, respectively. In other words, the magnets incorporated into the splash guardand lidenable potty seatto stay seamlessly attached to lidwhen lidis lifted without requiring an adult user to separately lift or move potty seatwhen lidis being raised to an open position. This feature permits an adult user to simply lift lidto prepare to use adult toilet seatjust as an adult would do when using a conventional toilet seat assembly. Thus, when magnets,are engaged and potty seatis connected to lid, adult seatserves as the default seat for a user after lidis lifted at lid cutout, for example. This magnetic interaction between lidand splash guardof potty seatprovides convenience for adults to utilize toilet training assemblythroughout the day as a conventional adult toilet seat without interference by potty seat.

After being snap engaged to hinge, knuckleof potty seatmay be disengaged from hingeby applying a pulling force to potty seataway from hinge. Potty seatmay be removed in order to clean adult seat, potty seator any other surface nearby. Furthermore, even after a toddler outgrows the need for potty seat, users may continue to use assemblyand specifically lidand adult seat. Thus, there is no need to replace assemblyafter potty training is complete.

Lidfurther comprises a pair of lid cylinderswhich house a pair of domed padsflanking magnet. When assemblyis in a fully closed state, as depicted in,,and, domed padscontact adult seatand provide support to lidwhen lidis down. Together, lid cylindersand domed padsprovide support for a user to sit on lidand to prevent it from breaking or being damaged. In addition, domed padsprovide cushion and minimize the generation of noise when a user closes lid. Similarly, the underside of adult seataccommodates four bumpersto help reduce noises at the closing of the seat. Bumpersalso provide grip to prevent undesired movement, lateral or otherwise, of adult seat.

Lidis slightly curved. Front end of lidrises upward to accommodate the additional height of splash guard. Thus, lidhas a slightly greater height at the front end of lidthan at the rear end of lid. This feature prevents the lidfrom being too bulky and from having more empty space in the cavity formed underneath lid.

Referring to,,and, interior of hingeare three dampers and two mounting holeswhere fastening or mounting pinsthat are located on toilet mounting discsare inserted during installation of toilet training seat assembly. The dampers are fastened by fastening or mounting pinsand ensure the steady function of the soft close feature and movement of lid, adult seatand potty seat.

Referring toand, a pair of adjustable mounting discsare provided to mount assembly, and specifically the combined seating unitcomprising lid, adult seat,and potty seat, upon a conventional toilet. Each mounting discis round, allowing users to rotate and align its mounting pinwhich is inserted into a corresponding mounting holeand installed properly, even when the distance between bolt holes on a conventional toilet may vary. An elongated and oblong slot holeon mounting discprovides room to adjust and move the combined seating unitas needed, ensuring the appropriate fit along the front end of the toilet to which the combined seating unitis attached.

Once mounted onto pins, combined seating unitis securely locked in place. To remove the combined seating unit from pins, combined seating unitmust together be rotated to a fully upright position, (i.e., in the same position of lidshown in). By rotating the combined seating unittogether so that lid, adult seatand potty seatare oriented 90 degrees relative to horizontal toilet bowl surface, as shown in, they are releasable as a combined seating unitfrom mounting pins.

As shown inand, the engagement and disengagement of mounting pinsare operational via a small barwithin the hinge damper that works interactively with an indentnear the upper end of each mounting pin. After mounting pinis inserted into the mounting holeof the hinge, and lid, adult seatand/or potty seat rotates, barengages indent, as shown in, creating a lock that impedes movement of the combined seating unitso that it cannot be removed from mounting pins. This bar-indent lock is engaged or locked when the combined seating unitis positioned in any position other than at an upright 90 degree angle. Comparatively, this bar-indent lock is disengaged or unlocked when the combined seating unitis positioned in an upright 90 degree angle, as shown in. Thus, when rotating the combined seating unitto a 90 degree angle so that it is upright, bardisengages from indentof mounting pinand the combined seating unit may be lifted and removed from mounting pins.

Referring toand, each mounting discmay be covered by a mounting coverwhich is used to conceal mounting discsto have a better aesthetic appearance. Referring toand, beneath each mounting discis a soft, preferably translucent, plastic mounting insertwhich provides friction and grip to prevent combined seating unitfrom shifting once mounted on a toilet. In a preferred embodiment, mounting inserthas four sectionswhich mate with corresponding cavities on the underside of mounting discso that there is a matching fit between the sections and cavities of mounting disc. In addition, mounting inserthas its own oblong slot holethat lines up with oblong slot holeof mounting discwhen mounting insertis fitted into mounting disc. Referring toand, boltand nutwork cooperatively to hold mounting discin place once boltis inserted through oblong slot holes,. After boltis tightened, mounting coveris applied covering boltand mounting disc, leaving mounting pinexposed so that it may be inserted into mounting holesat hinge.

Due to the height of splash guard, toilet training seat assemblyhas an overall thickness that is larger than a standard toilet seat. In order to enable the lid, adult seatand potty seatto sit back against the tank of a conventional toilet without falling back down, the overall length of assemblyis preferably less than that of a standard toilet seat. By reducing the overall length of assemblyby approximately 2 ½ inches, the lean back angle is great enough to prevent the lidand/or adult seatfrom falling down on its own (i.e., without being placed down). Even though the length of assembly is shorter than a standard toilet seat, the size and contours of the adult seat holeare preferably close to that of standard toilet seats for user comfort and fit.

Although a preferred embodiment of toilet training seat assemblyis depicted in the accompanying figures to accommodate a round standard toilet, it should be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art that toilet training seat assembly of the present invention, including the corresponding lid, adult seat and potty seat, may also be adapted constructed to accommodate conventional toilet bowls in an elongated configuration with minor modifications.

In a preferred embodiment, toilet training seat assemblyis constructed primarily of polypropylene material. In a round configuration, the overall dimensions of toilet training seat assemblyare approximately 16 ½ inches in length by approximately5/16 inches in width by approximately 2 ⅝ inches in height when toilet training seat assemblyis in a fully closed position. In a round configuration, potty seathas approximately dimensions of 12 7/16 inches in length by 11 ⅛ in width. In an elongated configuration, the overall dimensions of toilet training seat assembly are approximately 18 ½ inches in length by approximately 14 inches in width by approximately 2 11/16 inches in height when elongated toilet training seat assembly is in a fully closed position. In an elongated configuration, potty seat has approximately dimensions of 13 ½ inches in length by 11 5/16 in width.

The present invention relates to a toilet training seat assemblythat is intended to be attached to a conventional toilet bowl. Nevertheless, it should also be appreciated and understood that minor modifications may be made to enable attachment of a toilet training seat assembly to a standalone potty device as well. Regardless of whether toilet training seat assembly is attached to a conventional toilet bowl or standalone potty, the terms “toddler training seat” and “potty seat,” which form part of the toilet training seat assembly, may be understood to serve and act interchangeably with one another regardless of whether the toilet training seat assembly is utilized in connection with a conventional toilet bowl or standalone potty.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several preferred embodiments of a toilet training seat assembly and its method of use. However, other types and configurations are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment(s) but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment(s). The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiment(s) and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. For example, it should be appreciated and understood that the features illustrated in the drawings may be somewhat exaggerated and not drawn to scale. However, such drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention which can exemplify several further embodiments while still keeping within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while the present embodiment(s) of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be noted that the terms “first,” and “second,” and similar terms may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.