AUTOMATED TOILET SEAT

Abstract

An automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet. It comprises a housing assembly. A motor assembly has a motor that is housed within the housing assembly. The motor assembly also comprises a control box that has a switch and an electrical wire that extends from the control box to a sensor. The sensor comprises an optical switch that emits a continuous laser-beam. A moving arm assembly has a shaft having a fixed sleeve at a distal end. Extending from the fixed sleeve is a connector, and extending from the connector are first and second arms that are mounted to an underside of a seat of the toilet. Automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means comprise the continuous laser-beam being interrupted to activate the motor to engage the moving arm assembly to lift the seat to a lifted position or lower the seat to a lowered position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toilet systems and more particularly, to an automated toilet seat.

2. Description of the Related Art

Applicant believes that a reference corresponds to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20060242755 A1, published on Nov. 2, 2006 to Kurt L. Lohss for Automatic Toilet Lid and Seat. However, it differs from the present invention because Lohss teaches a touch free, automatic seat and lid actuating system for toilets that includes at least one drive mechanism for raising and lowering the seat and lid, a clutch mechanism enabling manual operation of the seat and the lid, and an attachment system for removably attaching the seat and the lid. The drive mechanism includes a first drive for operating the seat and a second drive for operating the lid. The clutch mechanism includes a pin interfitting into a notch, and biased into the notch with a spring. The attachment mechanism allows the seat and/or lid to be locked on the toilet in a lowered position, and readily removable from the toilet in a raised position.

Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,864 issued to Bennie N. Veal on Sep. 16, 2003 for Automatic Flushing and Seat Raising Arrangements for Toilets. However, it differs from the present invention because Veal teaches automatic flushing, lid raising and seat raising arrangements for toilets that include a tank top having optical sensors integral therewith so that standard flush tanks and tops may be used with only the tops being slightly altered to accommodate the optical sensors. The flushing arrangement is readily mountable on standard overflow pipes and provides automatic flushing while also allowing manual flushing. The lid and seat raising and lowering actuators are arranged in a single unit readily attachable to a standard toilet bowl using substantially standard lids and seats.

Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,623 issued to Strickland, Jr. on May 28, 2002 for Toilet Seat Raising and Lowering Lift Device. However, it differs from the present invention because Strickland, Jr. teaches a floor mounted toilet with a mechanical lift device comprising an adjustable linkage assembly connected between a foot pedal and a torque arm of a torque rod. The torque rod is affixed to the toilet seat to rotate the toilet seat. Applying a pedal force raises the toilet seat to a raised seat angle. A floor mounted base member rotationally supports the foot pedal and rigidly supports a vertical member carrying a pivot plate of the linkage assembly to rotate about a pivotal axis. The initial force to raise the toilet seat is adjusted by changing the first length of an upper rod of the linkage assembly. The raised seat angle is adjusted by the second length of a lower rod of the linkage assembly. The first and second lengths are adjusted by providing length adjusting devices, such as a turnbuckle.

Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,915,532 issued to Mohammed on Jul. 12, 2005 for Powered Toilet Seat Positioner. However, it differs from the present invention because Mohammed teaches a powered toilet seat positioner in which a reversible electric motor drives a lift member pivoted to the toilet seat. In one embodiment, a double shafted electric motor drives a pair of curved lift arms each connected at on outer end to one side of the toilet seat. In another embodiment, a nut is connected to a lift rod, the nut driven up or down on a threaded shaft driven by the motor to raise and lower the toilet seat. In a third embodiment, an inner sleeve telescoped into an outer sleeve is driven up and down by the electric motor, the two sleeves are pivotally supported on an upright stanchion resting alongside the toilet. The inner sleeve is pivotally connected at its top to the toilet seat to raise or lower the same.

Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is an automated toilet seat that is used in combination with a toilet. It comprises a housing assembly that has a base wall and a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second sidewalls. The housing assembly also comprises a mid base wall. The first sidewall has a through hole to receive a shaft therethrough. The shaft has a distal end that is rotatably mounted to the second sidewall.

The instant invention also comprises a motor assembly that has a motor. The motor is housed within the housing assembly. Extending from the motor is a gear shaft that connects to a gear. Engaging onto the gear is a drive wheel. A drive shaft extends from the drive wheel to a pinion, and engaging onto the pinion is a rack. The motor assembly further comprises a control box that has a switch, a first electrical wire that has a power source connector at its distal end, and a second electrical wire that extends from the control box to a sensor. The motor drives the gear, and the drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the first and second sidewalls. The drive shaft has the drive wheel and the pinion fixedly mounted thereon at predetermined distances from the first and second sidewalls. The gear is cooperatively engaged onto the drive wheel, and the pinion is cooperatively engaged onto the rack. The rack is fixedly mounted to the shaft. The sensor comprises an optical switch that emits a continuous laser-beam a predetermined distance. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is mounted onto a tank lid of a toilet.

The instant invention also comprises a moving arm assembly that has shaft having a fixed sleeve at a distal end. Extending from the fixed sleeve is a connector, and extending from the connector are first and second arms that are mounted to an underside of a seat of the toilet. Automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means comprise the continuous laser-beam being interrupted a first time by an object or hand of a user. When interrupted, the optical switch sends a first electrical signal via the second electrical wire to the control box, and the control box sends a second electrical signal to activate the motor to engage the moving arm assembly to lift the seat to a lifted position. The automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means further comprises the continuous laser-beam being interrupted a second time by the object or the hand of the user. The optical switch sends a third electrical signal via the second electrical wire to the control box, and the control box sends a fourth electrical signal to activate the motor to engage the moving arm assembly to lower the seat to a lowered position.

The instant invention automatically raises and lowers the seat without need of the user physically lifting it, thus preventing the spread of dangerous and/or harmful bacteria that may exist on the toilet and especially the seat of the toilet in public restrooms.

The motor is mounted upon the mid base wall, and the motor assembly is powered via the first electrical wire or battery power. In the preferred embodiment, the predetermined distance is up to twelve inches.

It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an automated toilet seat that automatically raises a toilet seat with a mechanized assembly and without the need to physically lift it.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automated toilet seat that prevents the spread of dangerous and/or harmful bacteria.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automated toilet seat that comprises a sensor that is mounted onto a tank lid that emits a laser-beam a predetermined distance.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of the instant invention installed onto a toilet, whereby a front wall of the housing assembly has been removed to show the motor assembly.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the instant invention as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 represents an isometric view of the instant invention, whereby the cover and seat have been raised.

FIG. 4 represents an isometric view of the instant invention, whereby the seat has been lowered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10. It can be observed that it basically includes housing assembly 20, motor assembly 50, and moving arm assembly 80.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, instant invention 10 is installed onto a standard toilet 100. Such a standard toilet comprises a tank lid 102 that is mounted onto a tank 104. Cover 110 covers seat 112, and they are both hingedly mounted, with hinges 108, seen in FIG. 3, to rim 114 of bowl 116.

Housing assembly 20 may be installed onto either side of toilet 100. In the preferred embodiment, housing assembly 20 is generally rectangular in shape, comprising base wall 38 and top wall 22, front wall 24, seen in FIG. 4, and rear wall 26, and sidewalls 28 and 30. In addition, housing assembly 20 also comprises mid base wall 32. Sidewall 28 has through hole 34, and sidewall 30 has switch cover plate 36 mounted thereon. Through hole 34 receives shaft 82 therethrough. A distal end of shaft 82 is rotatably mounted to sidewall 30. Housing assembly 20 houses most of motor assembly 50. Front wall 24 is removable to have access to perform maintenance upon motor assembly 50, and for illustrative purposes, front wall 24 has been removed.

Motor assembly 50 comprises motor 52. Extending from motor 52 is a gear shaft that connects to gear 54. Engaging onto gear 54 is drive wheel 56. Drive shaft 58 extends from drive wheel 56 to pinion 60. Engaging onto pinion 60 is rack 62. Motor assembly 50 further comprises control box 64 having switch 66, electrical wire 68 having power source connector 70 at its distal end, and electrical wire 72 that extends from control box 64 to sensor 74. Motor 52, gear 54, drive wheel 56, drive shaft 58, pinion 60, rack 62, and control box 64 are housed within house assembly 20. Motor 52 is mounted upon mid base wall 32 to drive gear 54. Drive shaft 58 is rotatably mounted to sidewalls 28 and 30, and has drive wheel 56 and pinion 60 fixedly mounted thereon at predetermined distances from sidewalls 30 and 28 respectively. Gear 54 is cooperatively engaged onto drive wheel 56 and pinion 60 is cooperatively engaged onto rack 62. Rack 62 is fixedly mounted to shaft 82 of moving assembly 80. Switch 66, an “on”/“off” switch, is mounted onto sidewall 30.

In the preferred embodiment, power source connector 70 may be connected to a power source such as an electrical outlet. In an alternate embodiment, motor assembly 50 may run on battery power and is not plugged into an electrical outlet. In the preferred embodiment, sensor 74 is centrally mounted onto tank lid 102. However, sensor 74 may also be mounted onto an adjacent wall or other suitable surface. Sensor 74 comprises an optical switch, not seen, and emits a continuous laser-beam 76 a predetermined distance, that may be twelve inches as an example.

As better seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, moving arm assembly 80 comprises shaft 82 having fixed sleeve 84 at a distal end. Extending from fixed sleeve 84, are connector 90, and arms 86 and 88. Arms 86 and 88 are mounted to the underside of seat 112.

Instant invention 10 also comprises automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means. In operation from the first position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when laser-beam 76 is interrupted a first time by an object or the hand of a user, the optical switch within sensor 74 sends a first electrical signal via electrical wire 72 to control box 64. Control box 64 in turn, sends a second electrical signal to activate motor 52, thus engaging moving arm assembly 80 to lift seat 112 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. It is noted that cover 110, being on top of seat 112, will also be lifted.

In operation from the second position illustrated in FIG. 3, when laser-beam 76 is interrupted a second time by the object or the hand of the user, the optical switch within sensor 74 sends a third electrical signal via electrical wire 72 to control box 64. Control box 64 in turn, sends a fourth electrical signal to activate motor 52, thus engaging moving arm assembly 80 to lower seat 112 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4. It is noted that cover 110, being on top of seat 112, will remain lifted, due to cover 110 traveling more than 90 degrees when lifted to the illustrated position.

Instant invention 10 therefore automatically raises and lowers seat 112 without the need of the user physically lifting it, thus preventing the spread of dangerous and/or harmful bacteria that may exist on toilets in general and especially seats of toilets in public restrooms.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet, comprising:

A) a housing assembly comprising a base wall and a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second sidewalls, said housing assembly also comprises a mid base wall, said first sidewall has through hole to receive a shaft therethrough, said shaft having a distal end that is rotatably mounted to said second sidewall;

B) a motor assembly comprising a motor, said motor is housed within said housing assembly, extending from said motor is a gear shaft that connects to a gear, engaging onto said gear is a drive wheel, a drive shaft extends from said drive wheel to a pinion and engaging onto said pinion is a rack, said motor assembly further comprises a control box having a switch, a first electrical wire having a power source connector at its distal end, and a second electrical wire that extends from said control box to a sensor, said motor drives said gear, said drive shaft is rotatably mounted to said first and second sidewalls and has said drive wheel and said pinion fixedly mounted thereon at predetermined distances from said first and second sidewalls, said gear is cooperatively engaged onto said drive wheel, and said pinion is cooperatively engaged onto said rack, said rack is fixedly mounted to said shaft, said sensor comprises an optical switch that emits a continuous laser-beam a predetermined distance, said sensor is mounted onto a tank lid of a toilet;

C) a moving arm assembly comprises said shaft having a fixed sleeve at a distal end, extending from said fixed sleeve is a connector, extending from said connector are first and second arms that are mounted to an underside of a seat of said toilet; and

D) automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means comprising said continuous laser-beam being interrupted a first time by an object or hand of a user, and said optical switch sending a first electrical signal via said second electrical wire to said control box, and said control box sending a second electrical signal to activate said motor to engage said moving arm assembly to lift said seat to a lifted position.

2. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means further comprises said continuous laser-beam being interrupted a second time by said object or said hand of said user, and said optical switch sending a third electrical signal via said second electrical wire to said control box, and said control box sending a fourth electrical signal to activate said motor to engage said moving arm assembly to lower said seat to a lowered position.

3. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means automatically raises and lowers said seat without need of said user physically lifting it, thus preventing spread of dangerous and/or harmful bacteria that may exist on said toilet and especially said seat of said toilet in public restrooms.

4. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said motor is mounted upon said mid base wall.

5. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said motor assembly is powered via said first electrical wire or battery power.

6. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said predetermined distance is up to twelve inches.

7. An automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet, comprising:

A) a housing assembly comprising a base wall and a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second sidewalls, said housing assembly also comprises a mid base wall, said first sidewall has through hole to receive a shaft therethrough, said shaft having a distal end that is rotatably mounted to said second sidewall;

B) a motor assembly comprising a motor, said motor is housed within said housing assembly, extending from said motor is a gear shaft that connects to a gear, engaging onto said gear is a drive wheel, a drive shaft extends from said drive wheel to a pinion and engaging onto said pinion is a rack, said motor assembly further comprises a control box having a switch, a first electrical wire having a power source connector at its distal end, and a second electrical wire that extends from said control box to a sensor, said motor drives said gear, said drive shaft is rotatably mounted to said first and second sidewalls and has said drive wheel and said pinion fixedly mounted thereon at predetermined distances from said first and second sidewalls, said gear is cooperatively engaged onto said drive wheel, and said pinion is cooperatively engaged onto said rack, said rack is fixedly mounted to said shaft, said sensor comprises an optical switch that emits a continuous laser-beam a predetermined distance, said sensor is mounted onto a tank lid of a toilet;

C) a moving arm assembly comprises said shaft having a fixed sleeve at a distal end, extending from said fixed sleeve is a connector, extending from said connector are first and second arms that are mounted to an underside of a seat of said toilet; and

D) automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means comprising said continuous laser-beam being interrupted a first time by an object or hand of a user, and said optical switch sending a first electrical signal via said second electrical wire to said control box, and said control box sending a second electrical signal to activate said motor to engage said moving arm assembly to lift said seat to a lifted position, said automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means further comprises said continuous laser-beam being interrupted a second time by said object or said hand of said user, and said optical switch sending a third electrical signal via said second electrical wire to said control box, and said control box sending a fourth electrical signal to activate said motor to engage said moving arm assembly to lower said seat to a lowered position to automatically raise and lower said seat without need of said user physically lifting it, thus preventing spread of dangerous and/or harmful bacteria that may exist on said toilet and especially said seat of said toilet in public restrooms.

8. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 7, further characterized in that said motor is mounted upon said mid base wall.

9. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 8, further characterized in that said motor assembly is powered via said first electrical wire or battery power.

10. The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 9, further characterized in that said predetermined distance is up to twelve inches.