Toilet seat lifter

Abstract

A foot actuated toilet seat raising, lowering, and anti-slamming apparatus. Attaching to the wall behind the toilet is a base portion which is flexible so that it may be elevated enough to clean under. Fastened toward the front of the base portion is a decorative case having two sides which support two levers. The back end of the lower lever is pivotally coupled inside of the case while a foot pad is fastened to the front end of the lower lever. The lower lever arm is fastened with a flexible belt to one end of the upper lever arm so that downward force applied to the foot pedal is transferred to the upper lever arm thus causing the upper lever arm to rotate upward. The upper lever is pivotally coupled inside of the case and pivotally coupled to a push rod at the other end. The push rod is adjustable in length and attached at the upper end to a bracket. The bracket attaches to the toilet seat. A shock absorber is positioned inside of the case so that the upper lever will be cushioned in its downward rotation, thus keeping the toilet seat from slamming closed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/486,118, filed Jul. 11, 2003.

Provisional Application No. 60/486,118 filed Jul. 07, 2003

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to toilet seats and more specifically it relates to a toilet seat lifting device for conveniently raising and lowering a toilet seat in a sanitary manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Concerns to avoid unsanitary contact with toilet seats, and being exposed to harmful germs and bacteria, have given way to the introduction of many toilet seat lifting devices. A few examples of this prior art are noted in the following U.S. patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,708 to Zamoyski—foot actuated toilet seat lifting, anti-slamming, and reseating device

U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,192 to Hodges—apparatus for raising and self-lowering of a toilet seat

U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,589 to Rice—toilet seat raising mechanism

U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,974 to Mullen—apparatus for raising and automatically lowering a toilet seat

U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,335 to Gaston—foot actuated, anti-slamming, toilet seat raising and lowering device

U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,623 to Strickland—toilet seat lift device

U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,503 to Holmes—foot operated devise for lifting a seat of a toilet

The first improvement of the current invention over prior art is with the anti-slamming mechanism. Most prior art toilet seat lifting devices have no anti-slamming mechanism, hence, the seat comes crashing down if the foot pressure is removed abruptly. Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,708, U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,589, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,974 each have an anti-slamming mechanism which consists of a pneumatic shock absorber, which travels through the entire motion of the toilet seat as it is raised and lowered through its approximate 90 degrees of rotational travel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,335 requires a hydraulic shock absorber which travels through the entire motion of the toilet seat as it is raised and lowered through its approximate 90 degrees of rotational travel. In each of these examples of prior art the shock absorber is large, unsightly, and expensive. The current invention uses a shock absorber which is comparatively small, hidden internally, and much less expensive. This improvement is the result of mounting a comparatively small shock absorber inside of a supporting case in such a way that it does not travel the entire distance of the raising and lowering toilet seat, but merely cushions the last few degrees of the downward rotational movement of the toilet seat.

Another improvement of the current invention is the method of mounting the device. Prior art requires devices to be secured to the toilet seat and/or on the floor adjacent to the toilet. Those which are secured only to the toilet seat require that the toilet seat be removed and reattached—a difficult and unsanitary job which the average home owner is reluctant to do. Prior art which requires foot levers to be secured to the floor adjacent to the toilet require that screws be drilled into the floor, which is difficult especially in the case where the floor is ceramic tile, cement, or other hard surface. In addition, foot levers mounted securely to the floor are difficult to maintain and clean thus becoming a harbor for dirt, germs, and bacteria. The current invention is fastened to the wall behind the toilet and the flexible base portion can be lifted so that the floor may be wiped clean.

Another improvement of the current invention is the push rod which is easily adjustable in length to fit toilets of differing heights. Some of the prior art have no way to make adjustments making no allowance for toilets of differing heights. Those which do have adjustments, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,192 require repositioning of bolts and nuts which requires some disassembling and resembling of parts.

Another improvement of the current invention is the ability to install on either the right or left side of the toilet without the necessity of any disassembling or reassembling any parts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toilet seat lifting devices in the prior art, the present invention provides a new toilet seat lifting apparatus wherein the same can be utilized for conveniently elevating and lowering the toilet seat in a sanitary manner.

It is the general purpose of the present invention to provide a new toilet seat lifting device that has many of the advantages of the toilet seat lifting devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new toilet seat lifting device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art lifting devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a lifting device which is attached to a base portion which secures to the wall behind the toilet. The lifting device has a foot pad attached to a lower lever arm which is pivotally coupled inside of a supporting case. There is also an upper lever arm pivotally coupled inside of the supporting case. Enclosed within the supporting case is a means for transferring downward pressure on the lower lever arm to the upper lever arm so that downward pressure on the lower arm urges the upper lever arm to pivot upwards. As the upper lever arm pivots upward it raises a push rod which is attached to a bracket which is secured to the toilet seat. A shock absorber is positioned under the upper lever arm so the lower few degrees of its downward rotational motion is cushioned.

There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be understood. There will be additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat lifting device that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

A second object is to provide a toilet seat lifting device for conveniently elevating and lowering the toilet seat in a sanitary manner.

Another object is to provide a toilet seat lifting device which can be attached to existing toilets without significant modifications.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new toilet seat lifting device which may be manufactured easily, efficiently, and at a low cost with regard to both materials and labor, so that it may be made economically available to the buying public.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new toilet seat lifting apparatus in which most of the working parts are positioned inside a protective case, thus minimizing the danger of someone being injured by contact with exposed moving levers.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new toilet seat lifting apparatus that has a push rod which may be easily adjusted in length to allow for variances in toilet height.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new toilet seat lifting apparatus which allows for the lowering of the toilet seat in a cushioned manner so that the seat will not slam down.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a new toilet seat lifting apparatus which does not need to be secured directly to the floor where dirt, germs, and bacteria may accumulate.

Still other features and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 Front view of the present invention attached to a toilet with a toilet seat and toilet lid in a lowered position.

FIG. 2 Side view of the present invention attached to a toilet with a toilet seat and toilet lid in a lowered position.

FIG. 3 Side view of the present invention attached to a toilet with a toilet seat and toilet lid in a raised position.

FIG. 4 Side view of the present invention attached to a toilet with a toilet seat and toilet lid in a raised position and with one side of the supporting case removed so that the internal parts are visible.

FIG. 5 Side view of the present invention attached to a toilet with a toilet seat and toilet lid in a lowered position and with one side of the supporting case removed so that the internal parts are visible.

FIG. 6 Front view of the push rod attached to the bracket which attaches to a toilet seat.

FIG. 7 Front view of another embodiment of the push rod attached to the bracket which attaches to a toilet seat.

FIG. 8 Side view of the present invention attached to a toilet with a toilet seat and toilet lid in a raised position and with one side of the supporting case removed so that the internal parts are visible showing another embodiment of the means for transferring downward force on foot pedal to upper lever arm thus urging upper lever arm to pivot upward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8, a new toilet seat lifting apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the toilet seat lifting apparatus 10 generally comprises a toilet 12 and a lifting device 25. The toilet seat 21 and toilet seat lid 22 are hingedly coupled to the top edge of the toilet bowl 23.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the lifting device 25 is secured to a base portion 6 which is attached to a back plate 7 which may be secured to the wall behind the toilet with screws. The base portion 6 is constructed of flexible material so that it may be lifted slightly and the floor beneath may be cleaned.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, a foot pad 8 is attached to a lower lever arm 9 which is pivotally coupled inside of the supporting case 11.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of the upper lever arm 13 is pivotally coupled inside of the supporting case 11 and the other end is pivotally coupled to the push rod 14.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of a spring 24 is attached to the upper lever arm 13 and the other end of the spring 24 is attached to the lower lever arm 9 inside of the supporting case 11, so that tension is created when the toilet seat is raised, thus aiding gravity in the downward movement of the toilet seat.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a shock absorber 15 is positioned inside of the supporting case 11 in such a way that when the upper lever arm 13 pivots downward it comes in contact with the shock absorber providing a means for dampening the lowering of the seat 21 to prevent the lowering seat 21 from slamming onto the toilet bowl 23 when the foot is released from the foot pedal 8.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a flexible belt 16 is attached to one end of the upper lever arm 13 and to the middle portion of the lower lever arm 9 so that force applied downward on the foot pedal 8 is transferred to the upper lever arm 13, thus causing the upper lever arm 13 to rotate on the lower pivot 17 and raising the other end of the upper lever arm 13.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the push rod 14 is pivotally coupled at the top to the bracket 18 which is attached to the bottom side of the toilet seat 21. The push rod 14 is adjustable in length by turning the screw-type adjustment in the middle portion of the push rod.

FIG. 7 is a front view of another embodiment of the push rod 14 in which the length of the push rod 14 may be adjusted by a slighting action, which may be secured in position by inserting a pin 26.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the means using gears 27 for transferring force applied downward on the foot pedal 8 to the upper lever arm 13, thus causing the upper lever arm 13 to rotate on the lower pivot 17, and thus raising the other end of the upper lever arm 13.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A toilet seat lifting apparatus for elevating and lowering a toilet seat, comprising:

a. a base portion;

b. a supporting case, secured to said base portion;

c. a foot pad;

d. a lower lever arm, said lower lever arm of predetermined length with two ends, said first end attached to said foot pad, said second end pivotally coupled inside said supporting case;

e. a push rod, said push rod adjustable in length;

f. an upper lever arm, said upper lever arm of predetermined length with two ends, said first end pivotally coupled inside said supporting case, said second end pivotally coupled to said push rod;

g. means for transferring downward pressure on said lower lever arm to said upper lever arm so that downward pressure on said lower arm urges said upper lever arm to pivot upwards;

h. a bracket attachable to said toilet seat;

i. said push rod having two ends, said first end pivotally coupled to said upper lever arm, said second end pivotally coupled to said bracket; and

j. a shock absorber means for dampening the downward movement of said toilet seat;

k. whereby a user raises said toilet seat by applying foot pressure downward on said foot pad thus urging said lower lever arm to pivot downward thus urging said upper lever arm to pivot upward urging said push rod to elevate thus lifting said toilet seat, then after using the toilet the user releases the foot pressure, permitting said toilet seat to lower, said shock absorber cushioning the downward movement of said toilet seat.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base portion is constructed of flexible material, so that said base portion may be elevated slightly so that a person may clean under said base portion even though said base portion is secured to the wall behind said toilet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a back plate, said back plate is attached to base portion, said back plate is secured to the wall behind said toilet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said toilet seat is rotated less than 90 degrees with respect to a lowered position during elevating of said toilet seat for allowing said seat to remain at a slight angle which provides sufficient force from gravity to lower said seat when user removes foot pressure from said foot pad.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a spring which assists in lowering motion of said toilet seat when user removes foot pressure from said foot pad.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for transferring downward pressure on said lower lever arm to said upper lever arm so that downward pressure on said lower arm urges said upper lever arm to pivot upwards is a flexible belt;

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for transferring downward pressure on said lower lever arm to said upper lever arm so that downward pressure on said lower arm urges said upper lever arm to pivot upwards is a set of gears;

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for transferring downward pressure on said lower lever arm to said upper lever arm so that downward pressure on said lower arm urges said upper lever arm to pivot upwards is a cable;

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for dampening the downward movement of said toilet seat is comprised of a hydraulic shock absorber which cushions the downward movement of said toilet seat.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for dampening the downward movement of said toilet seat is comprised of a pneumatic shock absorber which cushions the downward movement of said toilet seat.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said shock absorber does not travel through the entire motion of the raising and lowering toilet seat, but only cushions the lower few degrees of the downward movement of said toilet seat, thus allowing for a smaller, more simple shock absorber, thus allowing for the production of a toilet seat lifting device in a much more economical fashion than any other toilet seat lifting device which has a shock absorber traveling through the entire motion of the raising and lowering toilet seat.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said shock absorber does not travel through the entire motion of the raising and lowering toilet seat, but only cushions the lower few degrees of the downward movement of said toilet seat, thus allowing for a smaller, more simple shock absorber, thus allowing for the production of a toilet seat lifting device in a much more economical fashion than any other toilet seat lifting device which has a shock absorber traveling through the entire motion of the raising and lowering toilet seat.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said push rod having a first end, a second end and a middle portion, said middle portion coupled with a threaded rod allowing for said rod to be adjustable in length by rotating one end of said threaded rod.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said push rod having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, said middle portion adjustable in length by sliding action which may be secured thus securing length of said push rod.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two sides of said supporting case conceal internal parts, including said shock absorber, the pivoting end of said lower arm and the end of said upper arm which is pivotally coupled inside of said supporting case, said supporting case provides a decorative exterior.

16. An apparatus for elevating and automatically lowering a toilet seat, comprising:

a. a base portion; said base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface for positioning on a floor surface adjacent to the toilet;

b. a plurality of securing means for securing said base portion to the wall behind the toilet; said plurality of securing means comprising a plurality of securing fasteners, each of said securing fasteners extending through said base portion and into wall behind the toilet, each of said securing means comprising a screw;

c. a supporting case, said supporting case secured to said base portion;

d. a foot pad;

e. a lower lever arm, said lower lever arm having two ends, said first end attached to said foot pad, said second end pivotally coupled inside said supporting case;

f. a push rod, said push rod adjustable in length;

g. an upper lever arm, said upper lever arm having two ends, said first end pivotally coupled inside said supporting case, said second end pivotally coupled to said push rod;

h. means for transferring downward pressure on said lower lever arm to said upper lever arm so that downward pressure on said lower arm urges said upper lever arm to pivot upwards;

i. a bracket, said bracket pivotally coupled to said push rod and attached to said toilet seat;

j. said push rod having two ends, said first end pivotally coupled to said upper lever arm, said second end pivotally coupled to said bracket; and

k. a means for dampening the downward movement of said toilet seat;

l. whereby a user raises said toilet seat by applying foot pressure downward on said foot pad thus urging said lower lever arm to pivot downward thus urging said upper lever arm to pivot upward urging said push rod to elevate thus lifting said toilet seat, then after using the toilet the user releases the foot pressure, permitting said toilet seat to lower without slamming closed.