TSS, toilet seat saddle
The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle provides a specially designed handle easily mounted to the underside of the toilet seat and is positioned so that the proximal end of the unit projects outwards from one side of the seat, serving as the unit handle comprising a flat, rectangular shaped unit comprised of an adjustable, sliding base which expands or contracts to perfectly accommodate the exact dimensions of the existing toilet seat rim, abutting flush against the underside of the rim and held in place atop the bowl via two, vertical retainers which serve as the actual saddle. The handle is gently contoured to afford a comfortable grip. The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is produced in a variety of attractive colors to correspond with various bathroom decors, as well as neutral black and white.
This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/340,991 filed Mar. 25, 2011, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “TSS—toilet seat saddle.”
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains to the field of toilet seat devices, and more specifically to the field of toilet seat handle devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe prior art has put forth several designs for toilet seat handle devices. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,840 to Leroy Caldwell describes a device for stabilizing a toilet seat in its desired position atop a toilet bowl, comprising at least one restraint connectable to the bottom of the toilet seat for preventing lateral movement of the toilet seat relative to the toilet bowl, wherein the restraint extends downward into the toilet bowl so as to rest immediately adjacent to guide the toilet seat onto the toilet bowl, and an edge portion which is substantially parallel to the inside edge of the toilet bowl when the seat is in the lowered position, which serves to stabilize the toilet seat by preventing lateral movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,425 to Frank Armanno Sr. describes a retainer provides for the prevention of lateral slippage or movement of a toilet seat or a toilet bowl rim. Typically, bowl rims are not uniformly level or even, and conventional bumpers, along with the play generally found in the seat hinges, allow a seat to slip laterally relative to the rim, and occasionally drop slightly as the bumper(s) is/are displaced to one edge of the bowl rim as the seat shifts. The present retainers each include inner and outer depending retainer portions, which serve to prevent lateral displacement of the seat in either direction relative to the rim. Thus, only a single retainer is required, although preferably two are installed on opposite sides of the seat bottom and toward the front of the seat for uniformity. The present retainers include a resilient intermediate portion, which allows the depending retainer portions and member from which they depend, to arcuately rock to accommodate uneven bowl rims. The device(s) may be mechanically or adhesively secured to the seat bottom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,236 to C. James Bethanis describes an improved toilet seat that includes a number of integral handles configured such that a person using the seat can stabilize or balance his or her body while exerting downward force on the seat. The toilet seat includes a seating element having an upper surface, an outer periphery that extends beyond an upper rim of a toilet bowl, a plurality of handles integrally formed in the seating element, a rear section, a narrow front section that forms at least one handle, and a transition section from the rear section to the narrow front section. Domestic, commercial, and other embodiments are also provided.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat accessory handle device.
One of the most useful and practical rooms in any household is the bathroom where people shower or bathe, brush their teeth, shave, apply make-up and undergo other personal grooming tasks. Perhaps most importantly, the bathroom houses that most necessary of items, the toilet. While toilets are an important necessity, many consumers who live in households with male children, teens or adults find that this most useful amenity has several drawbacks. Specifically, actually lifting and lowering the toilet seat for the purpose of cleaning the toilet, or, for men and boys, in order to use the facilities, can be a daunting and unpleasant experience. Most consumers dread the thought of grasping the rim of a toilet seat. Although a common problem for male consumers, many female consumers must contend with the problem of lifting and lowering the seat when cleaning the bathroom. Coming into direct contact with a toilet seat is not only repulsive it is actually extremely unsanitary. Considering the slew of germs and bacteria that may be lurking, it is no wonder that many users do not bother to raise or lower the seat, especially in public restrooms.
The present invention, hereinafter referred as the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle, offers a practical solution to the problems associated with lifting and replacing the toilet seat. The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is a specially designed handle easily secured to any existing toilet seat. This product also prevents the toilet seat from sliding about when the seat is in the closed position, thus providing sturdier and more secure seating when using the facilities. The TSS, Toilet Seat Handle is also manufactured as an upgrade feature on newly manufactured toilet seats however, for the purpose of this report the TSS offered as an aftermarket accessory will be presented for review. The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is easily mounted to the underside of the toilet seat and is positioned so that the proximal end of the unit projects outwards from one side of the seat, serving as the unit handle. Manufactured of heavy duty, injection molded plastic material, the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is a flat, rectangular shaped unit comprised of an adjustable, sliding base which expands or contracts to perfectly accommodate the exact dimensions of the existing toilet seat rim, abutting flush against the underside of the rim and held in place atop the bowl via two, vertical retainers which serve as the actual saddle. The adjustable base of the unit measures between approximately four inches to six inches, while the integrated retainers measure approximately one inch in height, and snugly hugs either side of the toilet rim when the seat is in the closed position. The handle portion of the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle measures approximately one and one-quarter inch in length and approximately one-half inch to one inch in width. This handle is gently contoured to afford a comfortable grip. The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is secured to the underside of the seat by way of four, threaded screws appropriately positioned on the underside of the unit, or by way of self adhesive glue strip fasteners, included for sale with the device. The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is produced in a variety of attractive colors to correspond with various bathroom decors, as well as neutral black and white.
Use of the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is very simple and straight forward. First, the user installs the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle on their toilet seat, according to easily followed package instructions. The user chooses to install a single handle on one side of the seat, or apply two handles, one to the right and left side of the seat, thus enabling both right and left handed users to comfortably utilize the device. As previously mentioned, after properly securing the unit in place, the handle extends approximately one and one-quarter inch from the rim of the toilet seat. In the closed position, the extended saddle of the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle hugs each side of the toilet rim, thus preventing the toilet seat from sliding about when the user is seated. As needed, the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is easily activated by any child, teen or adult user. To lift the toilet seat, the user simply stands facing the toilet and grasps the extended handle, pulling the handle upwards and resting the seat against the back of the toilet. After use, the user again grasps the handle, lowering the seat upon the toilet bowl.
The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is a practical product invention which offers consumers many significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, use of the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle provides consumers a simple, yet clever means of lifting and lowering the toilet seat. Male consumers appreciate that simply by grasping the conveniently located handle extension they easily lift the seat up off the toilet, replacing it in a similar fashion after use. Additionally, the practical placement of the handle provides a visual reminder to those men and boys who typically do not lift the toilet seat, to do so. Ensuring that the toilet seat remains clean and dry, the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is a practical product which is appreciated by all members of the household. Perhaps most importantly, the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle offers consumers a hygienic alternative to lifting the toilet seat by hand. A sanitary tool, the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle protects the user from coming into direct contact with the germs and bacteria that are often found on the underside and top of the toilet seat. This advantage proves especially beneficial during routine cleaning of the toilet bowl. Eliminating the need to lift the seat by hand, simply in order to clean underneath the seat and the rim of the toilet bowl, the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle makes the unpleasant task of cleaning the toilet, far less taxing. Another important advantage to this product is that the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle secures a toilet seat directly to the toilet bowl when in the closed position. Consumers appreciate that with the TSS in place, their toilet seat does not slide about during use, thus affording more comfort and security when utilizing the facilities. Although developed with the home user in mind, the TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle proves a useful addition to any public rest room facility. Easily installed and durable, this heavy duty toilet seat handle withstands years of repeated use.
The TSS, Toilet Seat Saddle is a practical product invention that offers consumers an easy means of maintaining a healthy and fresh bathroom. Simple to install and easy to use, this innovative product proves a valuable commodity in any home.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
Claims
1. A toilet seat handle device, comprising
- a handle for attachment to any existing toilet seat comprising a handle mounted to the underside of the toilet seat and is positioned so that the proximal end of the unit projects outwards from one side of the seat, serving as the unit handle.
2. The device of claim 1 comprised of heavy duty, injection molded plastic material.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises an essentially flat, rectangular shaped unit comprised of an adjustable, sliding base which expands or contracts to perfectly accommodate the exact dimensions of the existing toilet seat rim, abutting flush against the underside of the rim and held in place atop the bowl via two, vertical retainers which serve as the actual saddle.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the adjustable base of the unit measures between approximately four inches to six inches, while the integrated retainers measure approximately one inch in height, and snugly hugs either side of the toilet rim when the seat is in the closed position.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein the handle portion of the device measures approximately one and one-quarter inch in length and approximately one-half inch to one inch in width and wherein the handle is gently contoured to afford a comfortable grip.
6. The device of claim 3 wherein the device is secured to the underside of the seat by means of four, threaded screws appropriately positioned on the underside of the unit.
7. The device of claim 3 wherein the device is secured to the underside of the seat by means of self adhesive glue strip fasteners, included for sale with the device.
8. The device of claim 3, wherein the device is produced in a variety of attractive colors to correspond with various bathroom decors, as well as neutral black and white.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 25, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 15, 2011
Inventor: Martin Howato (Surprise, AZ)
Application Number: 13/065,663
International Classification: A47K 13/10 (20060101);
