Toilet seat and cover system

Abstract

The toilet seat and cover system for lifting and placing a toilet seat and cover on an open end of a toilet bowl includes a hinge attached to one end of the toilet bowl opening which also attaches to an end of the toilet seat and toilet cover. The system also includes a first lever located on one side of the toilet bowl which is coupled via a gear to the hinge such that downward radial movement of the first lever causes the toilet cover to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. A second lever is located adjacent the first lever and coupled to the hinge via another gear such that downward radial movement of the second lever causes the toilet seat to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lever operated toilet seat and cover system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Prior attempts to provide a toilet seat lifting device have involved systems with numerous links, biasing members or cables. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,160 to Pettus discloses a toilet seat lifting device having a lever assembly mounted on a platform that rests on the floor such that depressing a foot pedal downward causes upward movement of a link connected to a lift arm attached to the toilet seat. U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,192 to Hodges, U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,782 to Ratajac, U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,595 to Carmel, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,496 to Blair disclose a similar device. U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,446 to Crocker discloses a similar device including a cable which pulls on a lever attached to the toilet seat.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,741 to Ellison discloses a toilet seat lifter having a foot actuated lever 20 which is operably connected to the hinged toilet seat 14. The device includes a bracket 16 secured to the top of the toilet bowl 10. The bracket 16 includes a downward turned flange 22 which serves as an attachment point for the fulcrum point 24 of the foot lever 20 (col. 1, lines 63-68), and the fulcrum point 32 for a motion transmitting linkage 26 pivotally mounted at point 32 (col. 2, lines 1-3). The foot lever 20 has a roller 34 (see FIG. 3) mounted on a stud 36 to engage and actuate the underside of arm 28 of linkage 26. The other end 30 of linkage 26 has a roller 38 mounted on a stud extending at right angles to the arm 30 and extending under the toilet seat 14 to elevate the seat when the lever 20 is actuated (col. 2, lines 8-12).

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,347 to King discloses a toilet seat lifting system having a bracket secured to a toilet seat of a toilet, a vertical member, a lever arm pivotally attached to a lower portion of the vertical member, a pair of support arms attached to an upper portion of the vertical member extending at an angle thereof, an air cylinder attached between the vertical member, and the lever arm, two pulleys rotatably attached to an upper portion of the vertical member, and a length of cord attached to the lever arm extending about the pulleys and attached to bracket (col. 1, lines 58-67). U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,335 to Gaston discloses a similar floor mounted, foot actuated, anti-slamming, toilet seat raising and lowering device which includes a hydraulic device which dampens the descent of the toilet seat to prevent the seat from slamming onto the toilet opening. U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,589 to Rice discloses a similar device except that it includes a pneumatic cylinder assembly to prevent the toilet seat from slamming onto the toilet bowl opening.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,165 to Wescott, Sr., discloses a commode flush and seat lift device in which foot pedals are linked to the flush lever 25 and to the toilet seat lid 11 via four conduits 15, 16, 17 and 18 which house the mechanical links between the foot pedals and their respective operable components (col. 3, lines 47-68).

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,106 to Carter, et al., discloses a hand operated, lever actuated toilet seat lift having three components—namely, a right angle mounting bracket 16, a pivotal seat lifter 18 and a pivotal actuator lever arm 20 (col. 3, lines 14-16). The seat lifter includes a slot 41 which engages a driving pin 46 attached to the lever arm such that movement of the vertical lever arm causes the lifting bracket to move (col. 4, lines 4-11).

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,084 to Greco discloses a lift mechanism which attaches to the rear edge of a toilet bowl which includes a flexible lever which pivots with regard to the rear edge of the bowl. The flexible lever includes a tang dimensioned such that it can be inserted between the toilet bowl and seat (col. 2, lines 11-16). The lever is may be used to lift the seat by trapping the seat between the tang and a stabilizer located on the lever.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,063 to Cotham discloses an automatic toilet seat lifting device having a lever arm 5 with a counter weight 6 attached at the end thereof which acts to raise the toilet seat to a vertical position (col. 3, lines 40-49), after flushing.

[0009] None of the prior toilet seat or toilet cover lifting devices are as simple as the present invention. There is a need for a toilet seat and cover system that is simple, durable easy to maintain.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple toilet seat and cover system which operates using a foot pedal.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat and cover system which lift either the toilet cover, the toilet seat (if the cover is already open), or both the seat and cover.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat and cover system which is easy to maintain sanitary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The toilet seat and cover system for lifting and placing a toilet seat and cover on an open end of a toilet bowl includes a hinge attached to one end of the toilet bowl opening which also attaches to an end of the toilet seat and toilet cover. The system also includes a first lever located on one side of the toilet bowl which is coupled via a gear to the hinge such that downward radial movement of the first lever causes the toilet cover to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. A second lever is located adjacent the first lever and coupled to the hinge via another gear such that downward radial movement of the second lever causes the toilet seat to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a side view the toilet seat and cover system disposed on a toilet bowl;

[0016] FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a partial perspective view of the toilet seat and cover system;

[0017] FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a top view of the toilet seat and cover system;

[0018] FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a side view the toilet seat and cover system with the toilet seat and cover in a substantially vertical position; and

[0019] FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a side view the toilet seat and cover system with the toilet cover in a substantially vertical position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present invention relates to a lever operated toilet seat and cover system. FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a side view of the toilet seat and cover system 10 disposed on a toilet bowl 12. The levered toilet seat and cover system 10 is used for lifting and placing a toilet seat 20 and toilet cover 30 disposed on the open end of the toilet bowl 12. The system 10 is designed to be both an after-market device which can be retrofit using a preexisting toilet seat 20 and toilet cover 30, or as a device to replace the preexisting toilet seat and cover. In the latter, the toilet seat 20 and toilet cover 20 may be manufactured as part of the mechanical components which make up the levered toilet seat and cover system 10. The toilet seat cover 30, the toilet seat 20 and the mechanical components discussed below may be constructed of plastic, fiberglass, stainless steel or a combination thereof.

[0021] In FIG. 1, toilet seat 20 and toilet cover 30 are substantially planar members as is known in the art. The seat 20 is disposed on the toilet opening via a plurality of spacers 22, 24. Spacers 22, 24 are typically rubber or plastic. However, other suitable materials may be used. The distal end 26 of the seat is attached via bracket 40 to hinge member 60. As used herein, distal refers to the end furthest away from the front side edge of the commode or toilet. Similarly, seat cover 30 is disposed on the toilet seat 20 via a plurality of spacers 32, 34. The spacers are not required, but are customarily used to absorb some of the energy resulting from either the seat 20 or cover 30 being placed in the substantially horizontal position shown in FIG. 1 from a substantially vertical position. The distal end 36 of toilet cover 30 is attached via a second bracket 50 to hinge member 60. Brackets 40, 50 illustrated in FIG. 1 define a channel within which the distal ends 26, 36 of the seat 20 and cover 30 fit, respectively. This embodiment is merely exemplary as other means of securing seat 20 and cover 30 may be employed as known to those skilled in the art. In another embodiment, seat 20 and bracket 40 are manufactured as a single piece. Likewise, cover 30 and respective bracket 50 may be manufactured as a single piece.

[0022] As with most toilet seats and toilet covers, toilet seat 20 and toilet cover 30 are capable of radially swinging from a substantially horizontal position (FIG. 1) to a substantially vertical position (FIG. 4) about hinge 60. The system 10 also includes a first lever 70 and a second lever 80 coupled to hinge 60 which are utilized to lift cover 30 and seat 20, respectively.

[0023] FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of hinge member 60 and its related components. Hinge member 60 includes a rotating member and a stationary member. The rotating member is, in the illustrated embodiment, two coaxial, substantially cylindrical members 62, 72 supported by stationary support members 74, 76, 78. Cylindrical members 62, 72 rotate about their longitudinal axis as indicated by double-headed arrow 64. The support members 74, 76, 78 are attached to base plate 86. Base plate 86 rests atop bowl 12. The lower portions 82, 84 of support members 74, 76 protrude below base plate 86 and are spaced apart to fit within the holes customarily found on the toilet bowl 12 to affix or fasten the toilet seat and cover. The protruding fastening members 82, 84 include threads which can be used in conjunction with threaded nuts (not shown) to securely fasten the system 10 to the toilet bowl 12.

[0024] The first lever 70 runs along the side of bowl 12 (see FIG. 3). The proximal end of lever 70 includes foot pedal 71. The distal end of lever 70 is coupled to hinge member 60 via gear 90 (FIG. 2). Lever 70 is also coupled to base plate 86 at fulcrum point 66 which allows radial movement of lever 70 about point 66. Gear 90 meshes with gear 92 located at the end of cylindrical member 62, such that downward radial movement of lever 70 (FIG. 5, arrow 94) causes upward radial movement of bracket 50 and its attached cover 30 (arrow 96).

[0025] Similarly, second lever 80 runs along the side of bowl 12, adjacent first lever 70. The proximal end of lever 80 also includes a foot pedal 81. The distal end of lever 80 is coupled to hinge member 60 via gear 98. Lever 80 is also coupled to base plate 86 at fulcrum point 66. Gear 98 meshes with gear 100 located at the end of interior cylindrical member 72 which extends beyond the end gear 92 of cylindrical member 62. As illustrated in FIG. 4, downward radial movement of lever 80 (arrow 94) causes upward radial movement of bracket 40 and its attached toilet seat 20 (arrow 96).

[0026] The toilet seat and cover system 10 functions as follows. A person wanting to use toilet 12 that does not want to lift the cover 30 or the seat 20 may use his or her foot to have the toilet cover and/or seat move to the upward, lifted position. The person wishing to open only the cover 30 steps on inward lever 70. Lever arm 70 moves radially downward in the counterclockwise direction of arrow 94 (FIGS. 4 and 5) about fulcrum point 66. The movement of gear 90 in direction 94 causes an opposite, clockwise radial movement of gear 92 as indicated by arrow 96. Because cylindrical member 62 is attached to bracket 50 and cover 30, the clockwise radial movement of gear 92 causes the seat cover 30 to move upwardly to a substantially vertical position (see FIG. 5). If the person needed to lift the seat 20, the person need only step on pedal 81 on the second lever 80. Lever arm 80 works similar to lever arm 70. Lever arm 80 moves radially downward in the counterclockwise direction of arrow 94 (FIGS. 4 and 5) about fulcrum point 66. The movement of gear 98 in direction 94 causes an opposite, clockwise radial movement of gear 100 as indicated by arrow 96. Because cylindrical member 72 is attached to bracket 40 and toilet seat 20, the clockwise radial movement of gear 100 causes the toilet seat 20 to move upwardly to a substantially vertical position (see FIG. 4). If the seat cover 30 had been previously on the seat 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, then depression of lever 80 would have caused both the seat 20 and cover 30 to move in an upward manner until both reached a substantially vertical position. Hence the mechanical interaction between gear 98 and 100 would have lifted the weight of both the seat 20 and cover 30.

[0027] In one embodiment of the toilet seat and cover system 10, lever 80 includes a tab 88 extending inwardly toward bowl 12 such that the tab overlies a portion of first lever 70. Tab 88 functions as a catch such that downward radial movement of second lever 80 causes downward radial movement of first lever 70. This allows the mechanical force on gears 98 and 100 caused by the weight of the seat 20 and cover 30 to be distributed to gears 90 and 92. In another embodiment (not shown), lever arms 70 and 80 are reversed such that the inward lever arm causes the toilet seat 20 to lift and the outward lever arm causes the toilet cover 30 to lift to a substantially vertical position.

[0028] The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. In combination with a toilet, a toilet seat and a toilet cover, a system for lifting and placing said toilet seat and, independently, said cover on an open end of a toilet bowl, said toilet seat being a substantially planar toilet seat rotatably mounted on the open end of said toilet bowl via a hinge, said toilet seat capable of swinging about said hinge to a substantially upright position; said toilet cover being a substantially planar toilet cover disposed on said toilet seat and coupled to said hinge, said toilet cover capable of swinging in a substantially upright position; the lift system comprising:

a first lever located on one side of said toilet bowl and coupled via a gear to said hinge such that downward radial movement of said first lever causes said toilet cover to swing from a substantially horizontal position to said substantially vertical position; and

a second lever located adjacent said first lever and coupled to said hinge via a gear such that downward radial movement of said second lever causes said toilet seat to swing from a substantially horizontal position to said substantially vertical position.

2. A toilet seat and cover system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second lever includes a tab extending over a portion of said first lever such that said downward radial movement of said second lever causes downward radial movement of said first lever.

3. A toilet seat and cover system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second levers and said hinge are constructed of stainless steel.

4. A toilet seat and cover system for lifting and placing a substantially planar toilet seat and toilet cover on an open end of a toilet bowl, said toilet seat being disposed on said toilet bowl and said toilet cover being disposed on said toilet seat, the system comprising:

a first bracket adapted to be secured to an end of said toilet seat;

a second bracket adapted to be secured to an end of said toilet cover;

a hinge partly adapted to be mounted to an end of said toilet bowl and partly coupled to said first and second brackets such that said first and second brackets are hingedly attached to said toilet bowl;

a first lever located on one side of said toilet bowl and coupled via a gear to said hinge such that downward radial movement of said first lever causes said toilet cover to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position; and

a second lever located adjacent said first lever and coupled to said hinge via a gear such that downward radial movement of said second lever causes said toilet seat to swing from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.

5. A toilet seat and cover system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second lever includes a tab extending over a portion of said first lever such that said downward radial movement of said second lever causes downward radial movement of said first lever.

6. A toilet seat and cover system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second brackets, said first and second levers, and said hinge are constructed of stainless steel.