Seat opening and closing device for western style toilet

Abstract

It is difficult for the elderly or an individual with a bad back to raise and lower the toilet seat and lid of a Western style toilet. Depression of a pedal with the foot causes an operating arm to rotate and an actuator arm to push upward, whereupon the toilet seat is pushed upward by the pushing motion; and release of the pedal causes the operating arm to rotate in the return direction and the actuator arm to descend, whereupon the toilet seat is drawn downward. The operating arm is rotatably supported by a support member with the linking end thereof rotatably attachable to the bottom of the actuator arm, so that depression of the pedal with the foot causes the operating arm to rotate and the actuator arm to push upward, whereupon the toilet seat is pushed upward by the pushing motion; and release of the pedal causes the operating arm to rotate in the return direction and the actuator arm to descend, whereupon the toilet seat is drawn downward by this descent. The actuator arm is extendable and retractable.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a seat opening and closing device for Western style toilet, designed to enable the seat of a Western style toilet to be opened and closed simply by stepping on a pedal, and to allow the lid which covers the seat and is opened thereby to be opened automatically as well.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Western style toilets are customarily equipped with an opening/closing seat for sitting upon, which is in turn covered by an opening/closing lid. When relieving oneself, it is necessary to open both of these, or the lid only.

[0005] Opening or closing the seat and/or lid typically requires bending from the waist and grasping the seat and/or lid with the hands to open or close it. This may, however, prove difficult for the elderly or individuals with lower back pain. Contact of the hands with the toilet seat also poses a hygiene problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets whereby the toilet seat can be opened and close without bending from the waist and without touching the lid with the hands.

[0007] In a first aspect, the invention provides a seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets herein comprises: an actuator arm 2 attached to the toilet seat 1 of a Western style toilet; an operating arm 3 attached to the bottom of the actuator arm 2; and a pedal 4 attached to the operating end of the operating arm 3; wherein said actuator arm 2, operating arm 3, and pedal 4 are arranged such that depression of the pedal 4 with the foot causes the operating arm 3 to rotate pushing the actuator arm 2 upward, whereupon the toilet seat 1 is pushed upward by the pushing motion; and release of the pedal 4 causes the operating arm 3 to rotate in the return direction and the actuator arm 2 to descend, whereupon the toilet seat 1 is drawn downward by the descending motion. In a second aspect, the invention provides a seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets according to the first aspect, wherein the operating arm 3 is rotatably supported by a support member 24 in such a way that the pedal attachment end 6 thereof faces upward and the opposite linking end 7 thereof faces downward; the linking end 7 is rotatably attachable to the bottom 9 of the actuator arm 2; depression with the foot of the pedal 4 attached to the pedal attachment end 6 causes the operating arm 3 to rotate pushing the actuator arm 2 upward, whereupon the toilet seat 1 is pushed upward by the pushing motion; and release of the pedal 4 causes the operating arm 3 to rotate in the return direction and the actuator arm 2 to descend, whereupon the toilet seat 1 is drawn downward by the descending motion. In a third aspect, the invention provides a device wherein the actuator arm 2 extends and retracts.

[0008] These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a toilet equipped with the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a toilet equipped with the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of a toilet equipped with the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of a toilet of FIGS. 1 to 3, shown with the seat and lid open.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram of the mechanism of the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram showing the technique for mounting the actuator arm of the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets herein to a toilet seat.

[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram showing an alternative embodiment of the pedal of the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 8 is an illustrative diagram showing a guide panel for the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] First Embodiment

[0018] A fuller understanding of the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets herein is provided through the following detailed description of a first embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, this seat opening and closing device comprises an actuator arm 2 attached to the seat 1 of a Western style toilet 10, an operating arm 3 attached to the bottom of the actuator arm 2, and a pedal 4 attached to the operating end of the operating arm 3.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, actuator arm 2 is of long, narrow rod configuration whose top end deflects forward in a “V” shape. At the top end of actuator arm 2 a bracket 20 is attached rotatably in the direction indicated by arrows a-b by means of a link pin 21.

[0020] The distal end 22 of operating arm 3 is linked to the bottom end of actuator arm 2 by means of a link pin 23, enabling operating arm 3 to swing forward and backward. The linking end 7 of operating arm 3 linked to actuator arm 2 is straight, and the right end portion thereof as viewed in the drawings (FIGS. 1, 4, 5) deflects downward in an inverted “V” configuration. The pedal attachment end 6 at the distal portion thereof defects upward in a “V” configuration. The operating arm 3 is sandwiched between two juxtaposed support members 24 and mounted by means of a link pin 25 enabling it to rotate in seesaw fashion. Typically, the linking end 7 faces downward and the pedal attachment end 24 faces upward. The support members 24 project upward in parallel from a base plate 26.

[0021] A pedal 4 is attached to the pedal attachment end 6 of operating arm 3. As shown in FIG. 5, pedal 4 is a rectangular plate provided on its back face with a projection 30. The front edge portion of projection 30 is rotatably linked by means of a link pin 31 to the pedal attachment end 6 of operating arm 3, while the back edge portion of projection 30 is rotatably linked by means of a link pin 32 to the back edge of base plate 26, enabling the pedal 4 to move up and down about link pin 32 when depressed with the foot.

[0022] Actuator arm 2 and operating arm 3 are fabricated ofrod material such as square or round pipe. The use of round material is safer as it is less likely to cause injury if by accidentally bumped by the foot.

[0023] The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets herein is attached to toilet seat 1 as follows. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6, bracket 20 is secured to the underside of toilet lid 11, and base plate 26 is securely attached to the bathroom floor in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Attachment means include double-sided tape, screws, adhesives, or other adhesive means.

[0024] Once the seat opening and closing device has been installed in this manner, depressing the pedal 4 with the foot 40 in the manner depicted in FIG. 3 causes the operating arm 3 to rotate about link pin 25 so that the distal end thereof swings upward. The actuator arm 2 is pushed upward thereby, whereupon the seat 1 which is located at the distal end of the actuator arm 2 and lid 11 covering it are lifted upward and opened. When the foot 40 is released from the pedal 4 the operating arm 3, actuator arm 2 and pedal 4 swing in the reverse direction, returning the seat 1 in its original position but leaving the toilet lid 11 open. Thus, to enable male urination, pedal 4 is depressed with the foot 40 to open the seat 1 and lid 11 as shown in FIG. 4, keeping the foot 40 on the pedal 4 while urinating. When finished, the foot 40 is taken off of the pedal 4 so that the seat 1 closes. Since the toilet lid 11 remains open while the seat 1 lowers, the toilet lid 11 may be lowered back down over the toilet 10 by means of a manual operation if so desired. To enable male defecation or voiding by the female, pedal 4 is depressed with the foot 40 in the preceding manner to open the seat 1 and lid 11 as shown in FIG. 4, and the foot 40 is then taken off the pedal 4, returning the seat 1 in its original position but leaving the toilet lid 11 open. The user then sits thereon and evacuates. When finished, the toilet lid 11 may be lowered back down over the toilet 10 by means of a manual operation if so desired.

[0025] The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets of the invention depicted in FIGS. 1 to 3 is shown installed on the left side, as seen facing the toilet 10, but alternatively could be installed on the right. In this case the bracket 20 of FIG. 1 would be attached projecting leftward from the actuator arm 2.

[0026] Second Embodiment

[0027] Another embodiment of pedal 4 is depicted in FIG. 7. Here, the four corners of the pedal 4 are curved surfaces, thus reducing the likelihood of overstepping the pedal 4, of the foot slipping off from the pedal 40, or of injury to the foot due to bumping into it. The location for placement of the foot on the pedal 4 is indicated by indicia 50 to ensure accurate placement on the pedal 4. Indicia 50 may be produced by printing, application of a sticker, or other method.

[0028] Third Embodiment

[0029] FIG. 8 shows a guide panel 60 for indicating the location for attachment of base plate 26 when installing the seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets herein. It consists of cardboard or other thin material enabling it to be folded in half along a central fold line 61, and has a semi-elliptical mating portion 62 that mates with the front of the toilet 10. A guide mark 63 indicating the location for installation of the base plate 26 is provided to the left and right, outward from fold line 61. Guide mark 63 may consist of a printed outline or cutout portion. The mating portion 62 of guide panel 60 is arranged abutting the base of the toilet 10, and the base plate 26 is then installed at the location indicated by the guide mark 63 of guide panel 60 in order to automatically position the bracket 20 at the distal end of the operating arm 3 below the correct attachment location on the toilet seat 1.

[0030] Fourth Embodiment

[0031] The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets herein may be provided with an extendable/retractable actuator arm 3 allowing the length thereof to be adjusted. By adjusting the length of actuator arm 3 the seat opening and closing device herein can be installed on toilets of various sizes.

[0032] Fifth Embodiment

[0033] The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets herein may be subjected in its entirety to antibacterial/deodorizing treatment. By subjecting the entire device to antibacterial/deodorizing treatment it is possible to prevent germs from growing thereon, maintain the device in a sanitary condition, prevent odors, and reduce the unpleasantness associated with odors during use.

[0034] Effects of the Invention

[0035] The seat opening and closing devices for Western style toilets recited in claims 1 and 2 of the invention enable the toilet seat and lid to be opened without bending from the waist, thus reducing demands on the elderly and individuals with lower back pain.

[0036] The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets recited in claims 3 and 4 of the invention is provided with an extendable/retractable actuator arm, allowing the device to be installed on toilets of various sizes.

[0037] Explanation of Symbols

[0038] 1 toilet seat

[0039] 2 actuator arm

[0040] 3 operating arm

[0041] 4 pedal

[0042] 6 pedal attachment end

[0043] 7 link pin

[0044] 9 bottom of actuator arm

[0045] 24 support member

[0046] It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets, comprising:

an actuator arm attached to the toilet seat of a Western style toilet; an operating arm attached to the bottom of the actuator arm; and

a pedal attached to the operating end of the operating arm;

wherein said actuator arm, operating arm, and pedal are arranged such that depression of the pedal with the foot causes the operating arm to rotate pushing the actuator arm upward, whereupon the seat is pushed upward by the pushing motion; and

release of the pedal causes the operating arm to rotate in the return direction and the actuator arm to descend, whereupon the toilet seat is drawn downward by the descending motion.

2. The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets according to claim 1 wherein the operating arm is rotatably supported by a support member in such a way that the pedal attachment end thereof faces upward and the opposite linking end thereof faces downward;

the linking end is rotatably attachable to the bottom of the actuator arm;

depression with the foot of the pedal attached to the pedal attachment end causes the operating arm to rotate pushing the actuator arm upward, whereupon the toilet seat is pushed upward by the pushing motion; and

release of the pedal causes the operating arm to rotate in the return direction and the actuator arm to descend, whereupon the toilet seat is drawn downward by the descending motion.

3. The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets according to claim 1 wherein the actuator arm extends and retracts.

4. The seat opening and closing device for Western style toilets according to claim 2 wherein the actuator arm extends and retracts.