"Just flip it", toilet seat and toilet seat cover lifting aid

Abstract

This invention referred to as,“Just Flip It’, Toilet Seat And Toilet Seat Cover Lifting Aid consists of two parts. Part one attaches to the underside of a toilet seat. Part two attaches to the underside of a toilet seat cover. The design of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover is comprised of two parts utilizing a common hinge to join them, as one unit, yet allowing each part to perform its individual function. The invention “Just Flip It”, compliments the operational function of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover by providing each part its very own assist handle thereby allowing the toilet seat and toilet seat cover to fully and efficiently function on an individual basis, in a more sanitary manner than grabbing the toilet seat or toilet seat cover directly with the hand.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this device which consists of part one and part two is to enable a person to manually raise or lower a toilet seat and toilet seat cover in a more sanitary manner than grasping the seat and or cover directly with the hand. This device will allow the seat and cover to be raised or lowered individually, as the toilet seat and toilet seat cover are two seperate pieces connected together by the toilet seat and cover hinges. The toilet seat and toilet seat cover perform different functions, the two components comprising the whole unit. The hinges are used in the toilet seat and toilet seat assembly as a pivitol point joining the two together as one unit yet allowing each to perform its own function. The invention, “Just Flip It is also one unit consisting of two parts which utilize the hinged pivitol part of toilet seat and toilet seat cover to assist the invention for operational combination therefore combining both parts of the invention into one unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The method of raising and or lowering a toilet seat and or toilet seat cover has been mostly by hand. Many people cringe at the thought of touching them and with good cause. You can never be sure of someone elses sanitation habits or health problems. Many times there is urine on toilet seats because people have been afraid of lifting them for fear of coming into contact with unknown germs. On the contrary if a person is going to lower the seat they are also forced to grab the seat with their hand not knowing what is on the other side. The underside of toilet seats and or toilet seat covers often have splashes and foreign substances on them which can be viewed as germ breading grounds.

Toilet seats and toilet seat covers are comprised of two seperate units which are nearly identical with the exception the toilet seat has a hole in the center to allow wastes to be deposited in the toilet bowl itself, whereas the toilet seat cover has the same shape but a solid surface. The toilet seat and or toilet seat cover can be raised by hand together as a unit. The toilet seat and toilet seat cover must be lowererd individually not as a unit. The separate parts comprise and facilitate the operation of the whole unit as the user sees fit. The toilet seat and cover are sold as a single unit comprising two seperate units serving one purpose and also serving their own individual purpose. The seat serves as a seat for the excretion of wastes from the body, being also a splash guard, for substances hitting the toilet water, used as a flush medium within the toilet bowl itself On the other hand the the toilet seat cover hides from a persons view the condition of the toilet bowl interior or its contents, also serving as its name implies a place by which a person can sit, or often times place articles for later use. There is a need for an affordable and efficient solution for the problem of raising and or lowering a toilet seat and cover, which are attached together with hinges as individual units comprising a whole unit. This solution should enable the seat and cover to be raised or lowered independently. When a person is raising or lowering a toilet seat cover your hands often times come into contact with the seat. The invention, Just Flip It’, is a device consisting of two parts, which function individually in compliance with existing design of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover, which function and are operated as operational individual units so that the individual raising and lowering of the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover can be accomplished. This invention would provide a means to allow the toilet seat and cover both to be raised or lowered individually in a more sanitary manner, than grasping them together or individually with direct contact with the hand.

The previous devices in prior art address the problem of lifting or lowering the toilet seat on an individual basis. These devices also depend on using the toilet seat to assist in the raising of the toilet seat cover. Lowering of the toilet seat cover is still by hand. The seat must still be lowered by direct hand contact and raised by direct hand contact if a person does not wish to raise them together as a one piece unit utilizing the toilet seat as an aid to lift the toilet seat cover. The seat cannot assist in lowering the cover. Many devices are bulky, have moving parts, clamp on and off which facilitates the need for cleaning as crevices between the devices and the points of contact with the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover may harbor foreign substances and involve extra cleaning work for the person who chooses to use the device. Other devices depend on specific parts of the toilet apparatus for their placement and can be very complicated to operate.

Also clamp on devices may have a tendency to come into contact with someone sitting on the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover who has larger legs and or a larger rear end or both. For use in commercial establishments devices which clamp or clip on and off would be a perfect target for someone to steal if they so desired and take them home and use them there instead of purchasing them.

With todays pressure sensitive high strength contact adhesive strips, it would be easy for a person unskilled in the use of tools to install a toilet seat and or toilet seat cover, lifting aid. A person with reading disabilities with the use of simple directions could figure out how to install a device which had simple picture directions.

There is no danger of the device coming off in normal usage of raising and or lowering the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover thanks to modern technology. The strength of super glue and other products such as door weatherstripping and many auto accessories attest to the feasibility of high strength pressure sensitive contact adhesive strips. As a further note there is not any surface under the device which needs to be cleaned up which is the the case with clamp on devices which are removed for cleaning purposes. Foreign substances cannot get under the pressure sensitive high strength contact strips as the area where it is attached is sealed.

Devices attached with screws, have a tendency to be a host to corrosion. In essense the device attached with high strength pressure sensitive contact adhesive strips are maintenance free in respect to removal for cleaning purposes.

Upon viewing the drawings of this device which I have given the reference name, “Just Flip It”, which the use of said device is for the purpose of raising and lowering a toilet seat and cover in a more sanitary manner than grabbing it by hand it is easy to see the simplicity of installation. Many devices require more steps to install and require maintenance also. If a device is clamped on to the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover edge and parts of the clamping system is on the top surface of the toilet seat and or toilet seat area the the urine or other substances can still get on them quite easily. Other devices depend on the toilet seat bumpers for attachment assistance which can be very limiting as bumper, design and shape, changes. Devices for lifting and or lowering the toilet seat in a more sanitary manner than grabbing them directly exist in prior art. Need for further improvement exists. The need for further improvement exists for the toilet seat and toilet seat cover to be raised or lowered in a more sanitary manner than direct hand contact, with the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover, where each unit is capable of being raised or lowered on an individual basis. This would eliminate the need for the toilet seat to be used as an assist to raise the toilet seat cover. A means being provided by which to lower the toilet seat cover in a more saintary manner than direct hand contact with the toilet seat cover. Once raised with the assist of the toilet seat, the need exists to lower the toilet seat cover. The toilet seat cannot be used as an assist to lower the toilet seat cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of this invention titled, “Just Flip It”, is to provide a sanitary device for the raising and or lowering of a toilet seat and toilet seat cover,on an individual basis, which complies with the function of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover, without having to touch them with direct hand contact. You do not have to use the toilet seat as an assist aid to raise the toilet seat cover. Once the cover is raised you cannot use the seat as an assist to lower it.

A second objective is to provide a handle attachment which, is easily attached and requires no maintenance, such as removal for cleaning.

A third objective is to provide a device which has no surface contact with the top portion of the toilet seat and or the top portion of the toilet seat cover.

A forth objective provides a device which can be grasped using the thumb and index finger.

A fifth objective is to provide a device which would be more sanitary to use than preceeding prior art.

A sixth objective is to allow the toilet seat and or cover to be raised and or lowered individually by the user if so desired, complimenting the function of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover, which are two parts working together forming a single unit.

The main objective of “Just Flip It”, is achieved by providing 2 handles which are used to raise and or lower a toilet seat and or toilet seat cover. These handles allow them to operate indenpendently. A person simply grasps the handles rather than grasping the toilet seat and or cover, providing the more sanitary method of raising and or lowering the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover.

The invention consists of two handles one attached to the underside of the toilet seat, the other attached to the underside of the toilet seat cover, utilizing the toilet seat and toilet seat cover hinges already provided with the toilet seat and cover assembly as a means to assist the combination of the units. One invention comprised of two parts.

The second objective of “Just Flip It”, is achieved by the use of a high strength pressure sensitive adhesive contact strip attaching the device to the underside of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover permanently. The invention “Just Flip It”, consists of part one and part two, each having a high strength pressure sensitive adhesive contact strip for attachment, part one FIG. 1, 14 of the drawing page 1/2 to the underside of the toilet seat and part two FIG. 2, 19 of the drawing page 1/2 to the underside of the toilet seat cover.

The third objective of “Just Flip It”, is achieved by having a device consisting of two parts, one being attached to the toilet seat underside and the other part being attached to the toilet seat cover underside.

The Fourth objective of “Just Flip It”, is achieved by providing a device in which the diameter is small enough to be grabbed with just the thumb and index finger. The lifting part of part one FIGS. 1, 11 measures approximately 1½″ long×½″ wide×⅛″ thick shown on the drawing page ½. The lifting part of part two FIGS. 2,16 measures approximately 1¾″ long×⅜″ wide×⅛″ thick shown on the drawing page ½.

The Fifth objective of “Just Flip It”,is achieved by the dimensions in objective number 4, Under the same identical conditions a device with a smaller surface area, will have less contimanants than a device of a larger surface area. An example of this would be if a person with a size 12 shoe walked thru the mud and a person with a size 3 shoe walked thru the mud, the size 12 shoe would contain much more mud because of the greater surface area, than the size 3 shoe would. The use of the high strength pressure sensitive contact adhesive strip for attachment of the lifting aid, “Just Flip It”, also seals the attached area and therefore prohibits foreign substances from getting under the attached area of the device, that is where the device is attached to the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover.

The sixth objective of “Just Flip It”, is achieved by providing the device, “Just Flip It”, in two parts. Part one is for raising and or lowering the toilet seat and part two is for raising and or lowering the the toilet seat cover

With the present invention called,“Just Flip It”, which is a toilet seat and or toilet seat lifting aid device, a person is provided with a system to raise and or lower a toilet seat and or toilet seat cover individually, since the invention consists of two parts, in a more sanitary manner, than grabbing the toilet seat and or toilet seat cover directly by hand, with the grasping portion of said device being of a size small enough to enable the person to grab the device between the thumb and index finger, providing the least amount of contact also with the device by the persons hand using the device, furthermore providing a device with the least amount of surface which will enable the device, “Just Flip It”,to contain the smallest amount of accidentially spilled substances upon which in the event of an accidental spill can easily be wipped off without removing the device, and also providing a device where there are are no cracks or crevices underneath the attachment surfaces, as is the case with clamp on devices, this being fulfilled since the high strength pressure sensitive adhesive strip used to attach the device, “Just Flip It, seals the surface under the attachment area where foreign substances could be harbored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings consist of 2 pages. Page 1/2 shows FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Page 2/2 shows FIG. 7.

FIG. 1. is a bottom perspective partial cut-away view of the componants of part one of the invention,” Just Flip It’, which is used as a handle to assist in the raising and lowering of the toilet seat of the toilet seat cover and toilet seat assembly.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective partial cut-away view of the componants of part two of the device, “Just Flip It’, which is used as a handle to assist in the raising and lowering of the toilet seat cover of the toilet seat cover and toilet seat assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the componants of part two of the device, “Just Flip It’, which is used as a handle to assist in the raising and lowering of the toilet seat cover of the toilet seat cover and toilet seat assembly.

FIG. 4. is a perspective side view of the components of part one of the device, “Just Flip It”, which is used as a handle to assist in the raising and lowering of the toilet seat of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover and toilet seat assembly

FIG. 5 is a top view of part one viewed from the top.

FIG. 6 is a top view of part two viewed from the top.

FIG. 7 is a view of a conventional toilet with the invention “Just Flip It”, part one and part two attached showing the top view of both.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention, “Just Flip It”, comprises two individual parts. Each part is comprised of two sections. One half is used to grab with the hand and the other half is used for attachment. The handle part is rounded at the end, the attachment part end is square. The part and their identifying componants numbers are shown in bold numbers. The figures of the drawings are shown in regular type. The toilet seat cover is shown in FIGS. 7, 20. Part two attached is shown in FIGS. 7, 15. The toilet seat is shown in FIGS. 7, 19. Part one attached is shown in FIGS. 7, 10.

Part one FIGS. 1, 10 is shorter and wider than part two FIGS. 2, 15. Its dimensions are approximately 3″ long×1½″ wide×⅛″ thick. The handle part FIGS. 5, 11 is one half the total legnth The attachment part is the other half FIGS. 5, 12. There is a visible line shown on the top of part one dividing each half FIGS. 5, 30. Part one is shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 7 as 10. To attach part one FIGS. 1, 10 to the underside of the toilet seat, peel back the protective covering FIGS. 1, 13 from the adhesive pad FIGS. 1, 14 and with the adhesive pad facing the underside of the toilet seat apply pressure. The approximate dimensions of the adhesive pad FIGS. 4, 14, is 1½″ long×½″ wide×{fraction (1/16)}″ thick. Its that simple. FIG. 7 shows part one, 10, attached to the underside of the toilet seat. Once attached grab the handle part, FIGS. 7, 11, which is rounded at the end with your hand, and either lift, or lower the toilet seat. FIG. 1 is a bottom view of part one, 10. FIG. 5 is a top view of part one, 10

Part two FIGS. 2, 15 is narrower and longer than part one FIGS. 1, 10. Its dimensions are approximately 3½′ long×⅜″ wide×⅛″ thick. The handle part FIGS. 6, 16 is one half the total legnth. The attachment part is the other half FIGS. 6, 17. There is a visible line shown on the top of part one dividing each half FIGS. 6, 40. Part two is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 7 as 15. To attach part two FIGS. 2, 15, to the underside of the toilet seat cover peel back the protective covering FIGS. 2, 18, from the adhesive pad FIGS. 2, 19 and with the adhesive pad facing the underside of the toilet seat cover apply pressure. The approximate dimensions of the adhesive pad FIGS. 3, 19, is 1¾″ long×⅜″ wide×{fraction (1/16)}″ thick. Its that simple. FIG. 7 shows part two, 15, attached to the underside of the toilet seat cover. Once attached grab the handle part FIGS. 7, 16, which is rounded at the end with your hand, and either lift or lower the toilet seat cover. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of part two. 15.FIG. 6 is a top view of part two, 15.

The drawing FIG. 7 shows the suggested location of attachment which is ⅓ to the right of the top center of the seat or cover when they are in a raised position. If the seat and cover were in a closed position and you looked down at them part two would be directly underneath part one noticable because of its extra width. The location of placement is left up to person using “Just Flip It”.

Once part one and part two are attached both the toilet seat and toilet seat cover can then be raised or lowered independently, in a more sanitary manner than, grabbing the toilet seat or toilet seat cover directly with the hand. You just grab either handle and either raise or lower either the seat or cover. If only a device were, attached to the toilet seat, a person could raise the seat and cover at the same time but it would be impossible to lower the toilet seat cover using the toilet seat as an assist aid. Previous devices depended on the toilet seat as a lift aid for the raising of the cover. Their devices comprised a single device comprising one unit. “Just Flip It”, comprises two seperate parts comprising one unit.

The two seperate parts, part one and part two, function as a unit with the common toilet seat and toilet seat cover hinges FIGS. 7, 22 as a connecting point. This feature compliments the design of the toilet seat and toilet seat cover unit, which were designed to be two seperate parts of one functional unit. The toilet seat and cover can now be raised and lowered individually in a more sanitary manner than grabbing them with direct hand contact.

Claims

1. A two part lifting aid for a hinged toilet seat and toilet seat cover assembly unit, allowing the seat and cover to be lowered and raised each independently, without assist from the other comprising;

attachment means for permanently attaching said aid part one to the underside of the toilet seat;

attachment means for permanently attaching said aid part two to the underside of the toilet seat cover;

said aid part one extends outward from the said attachment means providing a permanent handle to assist in the raising and lowering of the toilet seat, attachment means and handle contained in one formed piece;

said aid part two extends outward from the said attachment means providing a permanent handle to assist in the raising and lowering of the toilet seat cover;

attachment means and handle contained in one formed piece;

part one and part two joined together as a functional unit by the toilet seat and toilet seat cover, common hinges;

part one and part two performing, each parts, own individual, functions.

2. The aid of claim one where said attachment means comprises a high strength pressure sensitive contact adhesive strip.

3. The aid of claim one where said attachment means comprises a high strength pressure sensitive contact adhesive strip.

4. The aid of claim one, the formed piece part one, is manufactured from a rigid high strength polyproypylene composite material providing a device which resists moisture, chemicals and impact.

5. The aid of claim 1, the formed piece part two, is manufactured from a rigid high strength polyproypylene composite material providing a device which resists moisture, chemicals and impact.

6. The aid of claim 1 where assembly unit comprises, the toilet seat and toilet seat cover, joined together, by the common hinges.

7. The aid of claim 1 where functional unit comprises,part one, and part two.