TOILET SEAT LIFTER

Abstract

A toilet seat lifting device can be disposed on at least one side of the bottom of a toilet seat and extend outward beyond the perimeter of the toilet seat. Typically, the toilet seat lifting device is disposed on both sides of the toilet seat. The toilet seat lifting device can be disposed in various shapes and sizes. Typically, the toilet seat lifting device can be formed in a letter C shape or in a number 3 shape. The toilet seat lifting device can be designed to be attached to a conventional toilet seat or the toilet seat lifting device can be formed integrally with a toilet seat and provided as a replacement assembly for a conventional toilet seat. The toilet seat lifter provides a clean and sanitary means for lifting and lowering the toilet seat without direct contact therewith.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/507,494, filed Jul. 13, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet seats and accessories and more particularly, to a toilet seat lifter that a handle on at least one side thereof to assist users to lift the seat without the need to touch the seat itself.

Toilet seats can spread germs and growth of bacteria. Users may be hesitant to lift toilet seats, especially in, for example, public restrooms, and may end up simply leaving the seat down resulting in possibly urinating on the top side of the seat. Some users may use a length of toilet paper to grab the seat and then discard the paper, wasting the toilet paper.

Moreover, as people age, they may have difficulties in lifting the toilet seat. Often, the seats are disposed adjacent the toilet bowl, making it difficult to get one's fingers under the seat or to grasp and lift the seat.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved toilet seat having one or more toilet seat lifters extending from an outer perimeter of the toilet seat that can assist users to raise and lower the seat without the need to touch the toilet seat itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a toilet seat assembly comprises a toilet seat operable to move between a raised and a lowered position; and a toilet seat lifting device extending beyond an outer perimeter of the toilet seat.

In another aspect of the present invention, a toilet seat assembly comprises a toilet seat operable to move between a raised and a lowered position; and a toilet seat lifting device extending beyond an outer perimeter of the toilet seat, the toilet seat lifting device being formed in one of a C-shape or a number 3 shape, the toilet seat lifting device being formed of a plastic material.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view (seat down) of a toilet seat having a toilet seat lifter device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view (seat up) of the toilet seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view (seat down) of a toilet seat having a toilet seat lifter device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom view (seat up) of the toilet seat of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a toilet seat lifting device that can be disposed on at least one side of the bottom of a toilet seat and extend outward beyond the perimeter of the toilet seat. The toilet seat lifting device can be disposed in various shapes and sizes. Typically, the toilet seat lifting device can be formed in a letter C shape or in a number 3 shape. The toilet seat lifting device can be designed to be attached to a conventional toilet seat or the toilet seat lifting device can be formed integrally with a toilet seat and provided as a replacement assembly for a conventional toilet seat. The toilet seat lifter provides a clean and sanitary means for lifting and lowering the toilet seat without direct contact therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a toilet seat lifting device 10 can be formed in a C shape, resulting in a semi-circular protrusion extending beyond an exterior perimeter 16 of a toilet seat 12. The toilet seat lifting device 10 can be disposed on a bottom side 14 of the toilet seat 12.

The toilet seat lifting device 10 can be attached to the toilet seat 12 by various methods. For example, an adhesive can be applied to the toilet seat lifting device 10 and/or the toilet seat 12 to adhere the toilet seat lifting device 10 to the toilet seat 12. In some embodiments, an acrylic foam tape, such as 3M VHB Acrylic Foam Tapes RP16, RP25, RP32, RP45 and RP62, could be used to secure the toilet seat lifting device 10 to the toilet seat 12. Various fixing mechanisms can be used, provided that they can withstand the repeated use of the device. Typically, the fixing mechanism used to secure the toilet seat lifting device 10 to the toilet seat 12 is waterproof to avoid loss of adhesion over time during cleaning, disinfecting and the like.

The toilet seat lifting device 10 can be made from various materials, typically a sturdy, light-weight plastic. The material used for the toilet seat lifting device 10 should be strong enough to withstand the stress and strain of repeated raising and lowering of the toilet seat 12.

The toilet seat lifting device 10 can be made in various sizes. For example, the toilet seat lifting device 10 can be from about 3 to about 7 inches long, typically about 5.25 inches long, and from about 2 to about 5 inches wide, typically about 3.35 inches wide. When installed on the toilet seat 12, the toilet seat lifting device 10 can protract from about 1 to about 2 inches, typically about 1.5 inch, from the outer perimeter 16 of the toilet seat 12.

The toilet seat lifting device 10 can be applied to one or both sides of the toilet seat, depending on the design and application needs.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a toilet seat lifting device 20 can be used and assembled in a manner similar to that described above with reference to toilet seat lifting device 10, described above. The toilet seat lifting device 20 can be shaped differently from the toilet seat lifting device 20. For example, the toilet seat lifting device 20 can be shaped as the number 3.

The toilet seat lifting device 20 can have a length from about 3 to about 6 inches long, typically about 4.25 inches long, and from about 2 to about 4 inches wide, typically about 3 inches wide. The toilet seat lifting device 20 can protrude from about 1 to about 2 inches, typically about 1.5 inch from the outer perimeter 16 of the toilet seat 12.

Regardless of shape, in some embodiments, the toilet seat lifting device 10, 20 can be made integrally with a toilet seat, where a user can replace their existing seat with a toilet seat having the toilet seat lifting device of the present invention.

The toilet seat lifting device can make it easier for a toilet seat to be lifted while minimizing family discord in regards to not lifting the toilet seat, especially in households that has males and females. The toilet seat lifting device of the present invention also minimizes the concern about sanitation while promoting a healthier toilet environment and minimizes the spread of germs and growth of bacteria from toilet seats.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toilet seat assembly comprising:

a toilet seat operable to move between a raised and a lowered position; and

a toilet seat lifting device extending beyond an outer perimeter of the toilet seat.

2. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat lifting device is in a C-shape.

3. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat lifting device is in a number 3 shape.

4. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat lifting device is attached to the bottom portion of the toilet seat.

5. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat lifting device is formed integrally with the toilet seat.

6. The toilet seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the toilet seat lifting device is formed from plastic.

7. A toilet seat assembly comprising:

a toilet seat operable to move between a raised and a lowered position; and

a toilet seat lifting device extending beyond an outer perimeter of the toilet seat, the toilet seat lifting device being formed in one of a C-shape or a number 3 shape, the toilet seat lifting device being formed of a plastic material.

8. The toilet seat assembly of claim 7, wherein the toilet seat lifting device is attached to the bottom portion of the toilet seat.

9. The toilet seat assembly of claim 7, wherein the toilet seat lifting device is formed integrally with the toilet seat.