MAGNETIC LATCH AND HANDLE FOR TOILET SEAT

Abstract

The present invention relates to providing a more hygienic way of lifting one or both lids of a toilet seat. This is achieved through the use of a system of magnets to couple the two lids consisting of one magnet installed in both the top and bottom lid with the magnet in the top lid securely attached to a handle that is mounted on the topmost surface of the top lid where it can be manipulated by the user in order to disengage the magnets when lifting only the top lid is desired, or by simply pulling on when lifting both lids is necessary.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/440,668 filed Feb. 8, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein (including drawings). The invention relates to a magnetic latch and handle for toilet seats that can be reached on the topside of a closed toilet seat lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet seat handles and more particularly to a topside mounted handle that utilizes a magnetic latch to secure and lift one or both lids as necessary.

The conventional toilet seat setup includes a solid surface, or top lid, that resides over a secondary surface, or bottom lid, with the center portion removed, with both surfaces, or lids, connected to a pair of hinges that are bolted to a toilet. When both surfaces are in the lowered position the bottom edge of the bottom surface rests against the top edge of the toilet bowl meaning that when a user needs to lift one or both lids he needs to reach below the surface to be lifted and pull up, allowing his fingers to come in contact with other surfaces of the toilet that are in close proximity. These other surfaces are the same areas that are routinely exposed to errant deposits of human waste, meaning that just to use the toilet, the user needs to be exposed to areas of the toilet that are better left untouched.

This method also leaves people in the dark about what they are exposing themselves to until they have already done so. A person has to reach under the lid or lids and lift in order to see if it is clean enough to reach under and lift.

Many other patents have addressed the problem of lifting a toilet seat lid or lids such as U.S. Pat. No. 971,956 to Holloway describing a handle that is attached to the bottom lid of a toilet seat. While having a handle on the bottom lid helps you avoid the bottom lid itself, the handle is in the same relative position as the bottom lid keeping the handle exposed to errant deposits of human waste just as the bottom lid is.

Another patent describing a toilet seat handle is U.S. Pat. No. 020,807 to Mendoza which also describes a toilet seat handle that is attached to the bottom lid of a toilet seat. Again, this keeps that handle in the same relative position as the bottom lid keeping it exposed to errant deposits of human waste. This trend is common in most of the patents that address the problem of lifting a toilet seat, where a handle of sorts is mounted on the bottom lid in order to avoid having to touch the bottom lid.

A third patent which addresses this problem in a different way still suffers the same shortcomings. U.S. Pat. No. 185,093 to Dismuke describes a device with several connecting rods that attach to various parts of the toilet seat in order to lift those parts. For instance, you could mount this device on the bottom lid of the toilet seat, and also on the top lid and you wouldn't have to touch either one directly. The problem is that the points where these appendages are attached to the lids still create an unsanitary environment that can harbor bacteria and become a transmission point for a myriad of germs. Plus the fact that the appendages are so large offers even more surface area in the general vicinity of the toilet bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide an improved toilet seat handle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat handle that does not require significant changes to the general construction of a toilet seat, allowing for easy retrofit to existing toilets.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved toilet seat handle designed to allow both lids to be engaged from the topmost surface of a closed toilet seat.

The above objects as well as other objects of the present invention will present themselves through a reading of the following description and viewing the accompanying pictures which illustrate a preferred embodiment.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the toilet seat handle includes a magnetic latch that is built into both portions of a toilet seat, the top lid and the bottom lid, in order to engage one another providing a means of lifting both lids together, with a handle for the user to manipulate positioned on the topmost surface of the top lid when in the closed position. This handle would be directly attached to the magnet in the top lid, allowing the user to manipulate the position of the magnet in the top lid in relation to the position of the magnet that is embedded in the bottom lid, resulting in the two magnets engaging one another to allow the handle to lift both lids or being separated by the user in order to lift the top lid separate of the bottom lid. Due to the nature of magnetic attractions a user can override the latch by simply pulling the two lids apart without damaging the latch, the lids, or the magnets. Keeping the handle on the topmost surface of the closed toilet seat allows the user the opportunity to inspect the handle and surrounding surface prior to using, unlike most toilet seats that require contacting an unseen surface prior to using

Furthermore, given the location of the handle on the topmost surface of the toilet seat in the closed position, the present invention would be most useful at the front edge of the top lid in order to facilitate grabbing the handle from the open position, as well as allowing for an open ended recess for the user's finger that can be easily flushed out and cleaned and offers more air flow to dry the surface.

It is understood by those with knowledge in the field that the toilet seat handle could consist of a different means of engagement such as suction or physical mechanisms, and could be mounted in a different position without departing from the overall spirit of the present invention. Similarly, it is understood that the latch and handle can be built to be used in other situations where two objects need to be temporarily, but repeatedly, engaged and disengaged such as but not limited to doors, particularly cabinet doors, and compartment covers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is showing a cross section of the present invention shown from the right.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective of the toilet seat handle in the general area considered optimal for placement of said handle.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective of the handle assembly shown in FIG. 2 in close-up view in the closed position.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective of the handle assembly shown in FIG. 3 in the open position with an arrow to illustrate the direction of movement required to operate said handle.

FIG. 5 depicts the typical actions required to use the toilet seat handle for it's intended uses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is a toilet seat handle that is used to lift one or both lids of a toilet seat. This view is depicting an area in the front end of the top lid 10 of a toilet seat that has a recess for a mounting plate 2 with a finger pull 1 attached to a post 5 that connects to the top magnet 6 that is housed in an area on the bottom side of the top lid 10 of a toilet seat. This area is covered from the topside by the mounting plate 2 and on the bottom side by a flexible cover 8 that has a flange 9 designed to mate with a grooved ring on the bottom surface of the top lid 10 to cover the handle mechanism and allow for vigorous cleaning which is typical of a toilet seat. In the closed position, directly beneath this flexible cover 8 is the bottom magnet 7 that is embedded in the bottom lid 11 of the toilet seat. The top magnet 6 is situated in the top lid 10 so that the polarity is opposite of the bottom magnet 7 in the bottom lid 11 resulting in the attraction between the two creating a bond that secures the two lids together.

When it is necessary to lift the top lid 10 and the bottom lid 11 of the toilet seat together the user simply lifts on the pull 1 that is situated on the topmost surface of the top lid 10. When it is necessary to lift the top lid 10 separate from the bottom lid 11 the user simply twists the pull 1 either left or right which twists the post 5 and consequently the top magnet 6 in order to move the top magnet 6 out of alignment with the bottom magnet 7 weakening the attraction between the two enough

Due to the design of the components in the magnetic latch and handle for toilet seats the system can be built into the existing footprint of standard toilet seats allowing for easy retrofit of a seat containing the magnetic latch and handle on most if not all toilets without the need of additional tools or alterations. Furthermore, if desired the magnetic latch and handle could be built separate from the toilet seat entirely or used in a transient manner from one toilet seat to another

Claims

1. A handle or lifting mechanism that is attached to the topside of the top lid of a toilet seat that is used to lift one or both lids of said toilet seat.

2. The handle from claim 1 wherein the portions of the handle on the topside of the top lid are mounted flush with the surrounding surfaces, and the portions of the mechanism in the bottom lid are embedded or enclosed in the top surface of the bottom lid, to allow for typical hygienic maintenance (cleaning) of the toilet seat.

3. The handle from claim 1 wherein the mechanism in the handle that engages the top and bottom lid of the toilet seat uses magnetism to create a bond that can be repeatedly broken without wearing out or breaking.

4. The handle from claim 3 wherein the mechanism protrudes through the bottom surface of the top lid in order to physically contact the top surface of the bottom lid in order to engage the corresponding parts.

5. The handle from claim 1 wherein the mechanism according to claim 3 is covered by a bottom plate on the bottom side of the top lid to allow for vigorous cleaning of the surrounding surfaces.

6. The handle from claim 4 wherein all the parts or portions are fully exposed.

7. The handle from claims 1 and 4 whereas the user controls the function of the mechanism from the topside of the mechanism by way of twisting or lifting the handle on said mechanism in an effort to avoid contact with surfaces that may be contaminated from regular use of the toilet, such as the top and bottom surface of the bottom lid as well as the bottom surface of the top lid, being the places that users of the common toilet seat have to choose from when lifting the common toilet seat.

8. The handle from claims 1, 4, and 5 wherein the mechanism that engages the top and bottom lid is not magnetic.

9. The handle from claim 6 wherein the mechanism that engages the top and bottom lid is mechanical.

10. The handle from claims 1 and 2 wherein the handle and mechanism are surface mounted on the outer surfaces of the top and bottom lid.

11. The handle from claim 1 wherein the handle and lifting mechanism are integrated into the production of the toilet seat in such a manner that some exterior parts (pull plate, fasteners, etc.) may become unnecessary.