Seat Operated Patents (Class 4/250)
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Patent number: 11208797Abstract: An overflow prevention system includes a toilet that has a tank, a flapper and a bowl. A closure unit is positioned in the tank of a toilet and the closure unit is aligned with the flapper in the toilet tank. The closure unit engages the flapper when the closure unit is turned on to inhibit the flapper from opening. In this way the closure unit can inhibit the toilet from overflowing when the toilet is flushed. A pair of conductors is each positioned in the bowl and each of the conductors is exposed to water when the bowl of the toilet becomes filled with water. The conductors are in electrical communication with the closure unit and the closure unit is turned on when a circuit is completed between the exposed ends of the conductors. Thus, the closure unit inhibits the bowl of the toilet from overflowing when the toilet is flushed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Inventor: Jonathan Estry
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Patent number: 9657471Abstract: A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The touchless sensor lacks an optical path to the detection region. In some embodiments, the touchless sensor is a projected capacitive sensor. The processing circuit is configured to activate the motor assembly upon detecting the object and the motor assembly is configured to actuate flushing of the toilet when activated by the processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Peter W. Denzin, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Brian D. Renzelman, Clayton C. Garrels, Joseph L. Stauber, Eric M. Plate
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Patent number: 8266730Abstract: A novel attachment on a toilet system for a male user to raise a toilet seat (100), by depressing a pedal (30) with a foot and then releasing it, while standing well balanced on his second foot, so that he can urinate comfortably with both feet on the floor; and then to lower same seat (100) by depressing same pedal (30) and releasing it; with all these actions done with no startling noise against the water tank (104) or the toilet bowl rim. The dual operation of the same pedal (30) can provide a timely flushing of the toilet automatically when seat (100) is lowered, without hand touching any part of the toilet system. The attachment can add, with a secondary pedal (140), a hands-free flushing system that can be operated without moving toilet seat (100) when it is already in the lowered position. All manual toilet-system operations are preserved.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Inventor: Tom L. Ricca
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Patent number: 8020221Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a toilet seat lifting device (10), comprising a pneumatic system employing a piston (48) connected to the toilet seat (6), the system being adapted to lift the toilet seat (6) by applying mechanical force on the piston (48) in the corresponding direction (upwards, in the example herein), and to gradually lowering the toilet seat by gradually releasing air from the pneumatic system. The device may further comprise a valve (56), for causing a fall in air pressure in the pneumatic system, thereby causing an accelerated lowering of the toilet seat. The device may further comprise: a sensor, for sensing lowering of toilet seat (6); and a mechanism for activating flushing the toilet bowl upon detecting by the sensor that the seat has been lowered, such as a handle of a tap providing water to the flush tank (8) thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Inventors: Erez Borochov, Meir Gitelis
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Patent number: 7913327Abstract: An automatically flushing toilet in which an extension arm is attached to a horizontal bar to which the toilet seat is attached. When the toilet seat is raised, one end of the extension arm moves downward, causing a rod on the end of the inner tube of a telescoping member located primarily inside the tank compartment of the toilet to move so that it is positioned atop a pivoting member located inside a cut-out on the same end of the extension arm. When the toilet seat is then closed, the one end of the extension arm moves upward, pushing the pivoting member against the rod and causing the rod to force the inner tube of the telescoping member upward. The inner tube is pivotally connected to a trip lever, which causes the toilet to flush.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Inventors: Donald Lewis Meike, David Yakos, Stephen Sanford, Bryan Walthall
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Publication number: 20100325785Abstract: An automatically flushing toilet in which an extension arm is attached to a horizontal bar to which the toilet seat is attached. When the toilet seat is raised, one end of the extension arm moves downward, causing a rod on the end of the inner tube of a telescoping member located primarily inside the tank compartment of the toilet to move so that it is positioned atop a pivoting member located inside a cut-out on the same end of the extension arm. When the toilet seat is then closed, the one end of the extension arm moves upward, pushing the pivoting member against the rod and causing the rod to force the inner tube of the telescoping member upward. The inner tube is pivotally connected to a trip lever, which causes the toilet to flush.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Donald Lewis Meike, David Yakos, Stephen Sanford, Bryan Walthall
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Patent number: 7793363Abstract: An apparatus and method to assure that the lid of a toilet is always in the down position when the toilet is flushed. This will prevent the toilet lid being left in an open position. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for connecting the toilet lid to the flushing mechanism of a toilet so that the toilet lid must be in the down position for the toilet to be flushed.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Inventor: Donald L. Meike
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Patent number: 6772452Abstract: An assembly useful in directing a stream of water onto the surfaces of a toilet bowl includes a delay valve rendered operative by the lifting of the toilet seat and a bellows spring connected to be pulled in by the latching vacuum draw of the delay valve and thereafter released to displace the seat towards its lowered state. A set of springs then opposes the dropping stroke of the seat once displaced by the bellows spring. The assembly is conformed for installation onto an existing toilet.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Inventors: H. Richard Miller, Robert Miller
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Patent number: 6374429Abstract: An automatic flushing mechanism which has two sets of rollers mounted to the underside of a toilet seat by a series of levers and connecting brackets. A pull rod is connected at one end to the rollers and at the other end to a pull chain which is in turn connected to the flush handle on the toilet.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Inventor: John Velasco
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Patent number: 5625294Abstract: An apparatus for detecting seated condition for toilet seat which detects whether the change in input voltage of determining circuit, over predetermined time, in response to electrostatic capacity is existed or not. When the change is existed, the present apparatus computes and renews the set value 1 for detecting un-seated condition and the set value 2 for detecting seated condition based on the changed input potential.Accordingly, the present apparatus is the apparatus for detecting whether a human is seated or un-seated on a toilet seat using electrostatic capacity and the present invention can reduce the error in detection caused by the change in electrostatic capacity owing to a person, temperature and humidity.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1994Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Inax CorporationInventors: Shinji Kawai, Mitsugu Nonomura, Yuji Yamaguchi, Seiji Tanaka, Akira Takamata
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Patent number: 5435016Abstract: A toilet flush handle cover or guard is attachable to the bottom of a toilet seat and provides cover for the flush handle of a conventional toilet when the seat is raised to an upright position. The cover is formed to require a male user of the toilet to lower the seat to access the flush handle and flush the toilet after use, thereby providing considerate positioning of the seat of the toilet in the lowered position for subsequent female users. The flush handle cover may be formed in various configurations in order to provide proper coverage for various flush handles as desired, or alternatively may be formed as a single, integral unit with the toilet seat to extend therefrom. The present handle cover is adapted to remain clear of the upper surface of the seat and of any portion of the lid or tank, thus insuring comfort for a user of the toilet.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Inventors: Gregory S. Smith, Edward D. Rhead
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Patent number: 5410766Abstract: An automatic toilet flushing apparatus for a toilet having a toilet bowl, a cover member for selectively moving between an open and a closed position with respect to the toilet bowl, a water tank, and a trippable flapper valve for admitting water from the water tank into the toilet bowl when the flapper valve is tripped, the automatic toilet flushing apparatus including an actuating lever pivotally mounted about a first fulcrum, the actuating lever having a first end and a second end, a tripping lever pivotally mounted about a second fulcrum, the tripping lever also having a first end and a second end, a first link connecting the first end of the actuating lever to the flapper valve, a second link connecting the second end of the actuating lever to the second end of the tripping lever, and a tripping mechanism for initially pivoting the tripping lever about the second fulcrum and for thereafter releasing the tripping lever when the cover member is moved to the closed position with respect to the toilet bowl.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1994Date of Patent: May 2, 1995Inventor: Mark A. Schumacher
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Patent number: 5400446Abstract: A flushing mechanism for a toilet triggers a flush in response to the closing of the toilet seat cover. A magnet is attached to the seat cover and detected by a sensor. The sensor activates a battery powered motor having a crank arm which directly raises a flapper valve by means of a tensile link. The sensor and motor unit are suspended out of sight in the tank of the toilet by flanges fitting between the tank rim and the tank top. The flanges allow adjustment of the motor and sensor to a variety of preexisting tank type toilets for effective retrofitting. A delay timer prevents repeated energy wasting flushing of the toilet.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1993Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: John M. Bloemer, Anton J. Kolar, Jeffrey C. Hildebrand, Michael J. Kurth
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Patent number: 5388282Abstract: A pneumatic assisted flush system for toilets having a raised water storage tank and a flush valve discharging into a toilet bowl, characterized by a primary air seal at the rim of the toilet bowl and a secondary air seal established in a flush passage during flushing, whereby the toilet bowl is converted into a closed chamber for the entrapment of air compressed by the discharge of flush water, thereby depressing debris laden water in the toilet bowl in order to initiate syphoning through a flush pipe and into a sewer.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Inventor: Mark A. Cherry
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Patent number: 5349703Abstract: A toilet lid apparatus for flushing the toilet by closing the toilet lid is provided. The apparatus includes a hinge that provides a pair of standoffs adapted for attachment to the toilet for supporting a horizontal hinge bar. The toilet lid is adapted for pivotal mounting to the hinge bar and rotates between a horizontal position for covering the toilet and a near vertical position for uncovering the toilet. The lid further includes a toothed sprocket adapted for engagement with a first sleeve that is rotatably mounted on the hinge bar and has teeth arranged annularly at one end for engaging the toothed sprocket. Rotation of the lid, and hence the toothed sprocket, drives the first sleeve in rotation therewith in one rotational direction, but not in the alternate rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1993Date of Patent: September 27, 1994Inventors: Gabriel C. Mocilnikar, Roger Edwards, James Tipton
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Patent number: 5323496Abstract: A toilet seat lifting apparatus comprising two side-by-side pivotally connected flat members, a first member having two spaced holes for alignment with seat attachment holes in a rear portion of a toilet bowl, and a second member extending from the first member in a forward direction toward the front of the toilet bowl having a projection at its forward end for engagement with a toilet seat. The second member further includes a lever extending rearwardly past the first member. This assembly is operated by a foot operated actuating member mounted adjacent a side of the toilet bowl with a connection between the lever and the actuating member. Upon installation of the members beneath a toilet seat, operation of the actuating member pulls the lever down and forward, causing the second member to pivot up to lift the seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Inventor: Stephen F. Blair
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Patent number: 5280653Abstract: A toilet-seat flush-valve operating device has an energy transceiver, a connecting portion and a control portion. When adapted to conventional toilet equipment, the device serves to raise and lower the toilet seat automatically. If necessary, a flush-valve opening arrangement is mounted between the energy transceiver and the flush valve so that the device also operates to automatically open the flush valve at the appropriate time. The toilet seat stays at a slightly forwardly inclined vertical position and always tends to fall under its own weight. When an outside force is applied to the control portion, which is capable of transmitting the outside force to the energy transceiver, comprised of a spring and/or a dead weight, the energy transceiver is driven and releases the toilet seat from the control of a linkage mechanism, thereby permitting the seat to fall under its own weight.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1992Date of Patent: January 25, 1994Inventor: Wei-Chang Tsai
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Patent number: 5177818Abstract: A toilet-seat flush-valve operating mechanism comprises two systems, a toilet-seat lifting system and a flush-valve opening system, both employing the fluid pressure as a source of power. A hydraulic cylinder having on the bottom a water inlet is mounted inside a toilet cistern. When a piston-cum-static weight located inside the cylinder moves under water pressure and reaches a position at the upper end of the cylinder, the toilet seat descends and covers the toilet bowl. This piston-cum-static weight, that is, the weight of the static weight, falls down under its own weight to the position at the lower end of the cylinder and, by means of a connecting unit, lifts up the toilet seat. Due to the piston-cum-static weight, which is in balance with and slightly heavier than the toilet seat, relatively low water pressure is sufficient to push the piston-cum-static weight to move upwardly, thus permitting the toilet seat to descend under its own weight.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1991Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Inventor: Wei C. Tsai
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Patent number: 4974263Abstract: A lid actuated toilet flushing system wherein a conventional flushing flapper valve is actuated by a pull chain controlled by the positioning of the lid fo the toilet. The lid must be moved from the up to the down position to flush the toilet and a ratchet mechanism is provided for completing flushing of the toilet even if the lid is left in the down position.Moving the lid actuates a pawl (flush lever) which rotates a tooth (trip lever) which trip lever is connected to a conventional flusing rod and other elements interposed between the flusing rod and a flapper valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1989Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Inventors: Mark Sheppard, Lynda Timbers
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Patent number: 4912783Abstract: A toilet lid closing device for use on toilets of the type having a vertical tank with a flushing lever, a bowl, a seat and an overlying lid pivotally mounted by a hinge pin, has a torsional coil spring received around the hinge pin which biases the lid and the seat to a closed position. A channel shaped bracket has a horizontal mounting surface secured by the toilet seat mounting bolts, with perpendicularly attached parallel support legs for mounting end portions of a pair of dampening cylinders. An adjustment bracket allows independent adjustable positioning of the dampening cylinders. Each of the dampening cylinders has an extensible rod provided with a circumferential groove for engagement with a spring biased locking pin which retains the rod in a extended position. End portions of the extensible rods have journal bearing ends received on mounting pad axles secured to the underside of the lid and the seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1988Date of Patent: April 3, 1990Inventor: Steven E. Shafer
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Patent number: 4491989Abstract: The invention discloses a closure and hinge device that automatically releases and lowers a toilet seat, or the seat and its associated lid together, when the flushing handle of a commode or toilet is actuated. The device includes a releasable hinge-closing mechanism having a spring-biased latching lever and a dampening device mounted to the toilet lid, the device being positioned to be engaged by the latching lever. When the latching lever is actuated by the flushing of the commode, the seat or the seat and lid together are released and will move downwardly in a controlled manner by means of the dampening device. A latching pawl is located between the lid-hinge member and the seat, whereby the seat and lid are coupled together when in a raised position so as to be lowered together upon being released.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1984Date of Patent: January 8, 1985Inventor: John F. McGrail
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Patent number: 4443898Abstract: YAn improved automatic flushing device for valve actuated toilets that is capable of being housed inside the toilet's water tank, out of the user's sight. The conventional water supply valve system is not altered and the flush valve assembly is actuated through floating means arranged in such a way that, depending on the water levels inside the tank, will urge the opening of the flush valve. When enough water has been drained out, the action of the floating means ceases and a tripping mechanism engages locking the floating means thereby preventing it from opening the flush valve again until the tripping mechanism is triggered in response to the users removing his or her weight from the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1982Date of Patent: April 24, 1984Inventor: Lazaro Aguero
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Patent number: 4338690Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic mechanism for flush and raising a toilet seat which permits the seat to be raised automatically to a vertical, non-use position and the wash water to automatically flush the urinal after the occupancy of the toilet seat.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1979Date of Patent: July 13, 1982Inventors: Jung H. Hsieh, Jung K. Hsieh
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Patent number: 4333184Abstract: This invention, is a multi-function closet stool, which can really serve the purpose of automatic timing, measuring pressure, flushing and saving water. When one sits on the seat of closet stool, the driving piece pulls the driving steel cable to make timing and piston assembly simultaneously actuate and control arm sandwich on top of a movable piece in the sleeve. When one discharges his urine and stands up, the rear part of seat of closet stool will rebound promptly by the spring; meanwhile, the timing unit begins to count time, then, the driving arm makes the control arm release the movable piece in the sleeve by means of the pulling of timing unit and move upwards by the elasticity of spring. A rubber ring compresses air in the sleeve, the high velocity air will instantly rush in air container through a hole passage, pipe joint, filter and pipe. The air will open a movable lid for the purpose of water-flushing.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1980Date of Patent: June 8, 1982Inventor: Hsian Wang
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Patent number: 4329745Abstract: An automatic weight operated toilet flushing device capable of being installed in conventional toilets with flush tanks. The device has one end of a long arm secured to the lower portion of the toilet seat assembly the seat and the other end engages a vertical actuating link which is pushed upwardly when the toilet user seats down. The vertical link engages the actuating lever mechanism which is pulled down when the user gets up and the conventional ball type valve is opened allowing the toilet bowl to be flushed.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1980Date of Patent: May 18, 1982Inventor: Lazaro Aguero