T & J Design Toilet Seat Lifting Aid

Abstract

The invention provides a Toilet Seat Lifting Aid, comprising handle that is easily mounted to the underside of a toilet seat positioned so the proximal end of the handle projects outwards from a side of the toilet seat, wherein the distal end of the handle is comprised of a flattened mounting base plate configured specifically to rest flush against the underside of the toilet seat, further comprising a hinge bridging the handle and the base plate, enabling the user to fold the extended portion of the handle downwards parallel with the side of the toilet when not in use.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/689,586 filed Jun. 8, 2012, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “T & J Design Toilet Seat Lifting Aid.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of toilet seats, and more specifically to the field of toilet seat lifting aids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for toilet seat lifting aids. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,884 to Randall B. Marshall describes a lifting aid for raising and lowering a toilet seat having a bottom surface provided with a plurality of cushioning pads. The lifting aid comprises a rigid generally rectangular lifting tab member having an outer half that is provided with an arcuate finger recess and a plurality of raised ribs to minimize the surface area contact between a user's fingers and the lifting tab member. The inner half of the lifting tab member is provided with a layer of double sided adhesive for securing the lifting tab member to the bottom of a toilet seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,601 to Milton A. S. Hermann describes a sanitary lift for a toilet seat ring pivoted to a toilet bowl with the under surface of the toilet seat ring being spaced above the top of the bowl includes a base member secured to the under surface of the toilet seat ring with an outer edge adjacent to the outer edge of the ring. A shield member which depends from the outer edge of the base member spans the gap between the under surface of the ring and the top of the bowl. A lift member extends outwardly from the shield member with a manually engageable under surface for lifting the toilet seat ring without the user's fingers or the lift member touching the toilet bowl or being soiled by its contents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,907 to Paul R. Vaughan and Susan E. Vaughan describes a toilet seat operating assembly for protecting the hands of a user of the toilet against bacteria. The operating assembly is adapted to be attached to a toilet seat and includes a spherical hand engaging portion which can be readily removed for cleaning and sanitizing.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient device for lifting and lowering a toilet seat.

It is further object of the present invent to provide a hinged device for lifting and lowering a toilet seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prototypical top diagonal view showing a hinge and a screw mount area attached adjacent to a handle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective front diagonal view showing a handle secured to a toilet seat and turned down for nonuse.

FIG. 3 is a prototypical top diagonal view showing a hinge and an adhesive mount area attached adjacent to a handle.

FIG. 4 is a perspective front diagonal view showing a handle secured to a toilet seat and turned up and out for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One of the most useful and practical rooms in any household is a bathroom. A bathroom is where people shower or bathe, brush their teeth, shave, apply makeup and undergo other personal grooming tasks. Perhaps most importantly, a bathroom houses a toilet, a most necessary of items. A need to use a toilet is something every human being shares in common. While toilets are an important necessity, many consumers who live in households with male children, teens or adults find this most useful amenity has several drawbacks. Lifting and lowering a toilet seat to clean the toilet or to use the facilities often is daunting and unpleasant experience. Many people dread grasping a toilet seat rim. A common problem for male consumers, many female consumers also contend with lifting and lowering a toilet seat when cleaning the bathroom. Coming into direct contact with a toilet seat is repulsive and extremely unsanitary. Considering the slew of germs and bacteria that are lurking, many users refrain from raising or lowering a toilet seat, especially in public restrooms.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as T and J Design Toilet Seat Lifting Aid, or simply T and J Design, is a specially designed handle that is easily secured to any existing toilet seat. Design intent is to provide consumers a convenient hands free method of lifting and lowering the toilet seat. Alternate names for this product include T & J Design and the T/J Design. The present invention is manufactured from a variety of materials to accommodate different decorative needs. Heavy duty plastic, rubber, polished wood, sleek stainless steel and other polished metal are available for fabricating the T and J Design. The handle shown in FIG. 1 measures approximately one to five inches in width and six inches in total length. Configured specifically to be easily mounted to the underside of the toilet seat, the T and J Design is positioned so the proximal end projects outwards from one side of the seat. The distal end of the handle is comprised of a flattened mounting base plate configured specifically to rest flush against the underside of the toilet seat. This can be seen in FIG. 2. This base plate is secured to the underside of the seat by way of four durable threaded screws that are included with the unit. This can be seen in FIG. 3. Alternately, this device is securable by way of a heavy duty, sticky glue adhesive that coats one surface of the base plate. A protective peel away paper backing encompasses this adhesive and is removed prior to use. A lightweight foam or rubber covering sized appropriately to cover the mounting plate is included with the T and J Design, discreetly hiding the mounting hardware from view. A simple hinge bridges the handle mechanism and the base plate, enabling the user to fold the extended portion of the handle downwards parallel with the side of the toilet when not in use. Decorative as well as functional, this handle is available in a myriad of shapes including basic rectangular handles, oval shaped units, abstract and geometric shapes. This handle also is configured in shapes of animals and letters that spell out words and names. The T and J Design is available in vibrant colors, neutral hues and color patterns germane to the shape of the handle.

Use of the T and J Design is simple and straight forward. A user purchases a T and J Design handle in accordance to material, color or design preference. A person who has a bathroom with modern decor may select a handle manufactured of polished stainless steel. A T and J Design handle configured in the whimsical shape of a giraffe, monkey or other animal is ideal for use in a child's bathroom. Once purchased, a user installs a T and J Design on their toilet seat, according to easily followed package instructions. The T and J Design is installed on either the right or left side of the toilet seat. Positioning the base plate against the underside of the toilet seat, at the approximate center of the seat, the user secures the unit in place with threaded screw fasteners or sticky glue adhesive. Both types are included with the present invention. After properly securing the present invention in place, the handle extends approximately six inches from the rim of the toilet seat and is folded downwards with an integrated hinge when not in use. Once installed, the T and J Design is activated easily by any child, teen or adult user. To lift the toilet seat, a user stands facing the toilet and grasps the handle, pulling the handle upwards and resting the seat against the back of the toilet. After use, the user again grasps the handle, lowers the seat upon the toilet bowl, and folds the handle down flush against the toilet bowl.

The practical placement of the handle provides a visual reminder to men and boys who typically forget to lift the toilet seat. Ensuring the toilet seat remains clean and dry, the T and J Design is a practical product which is appreciated by all household members. Perhaps most importantly, T and J Design provides consumers with a hygienic alternative to lifting the toilet seat by hand. A sanitary tool, the T and J Design protects a user from coming into direct contact with the germs and bacteria often found on the underside and top of the toilet seat. T and J Design makes an unpleasant task of cleaning the toilet far less taxing. Although developed with the home user in mind, the T and J Design is a useful addition to a public rest room facility. Easily installed and durable, this heavy duty T and J Design will withstand years of repeated use.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A toilet seat lifting and lowering device comprising: a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the handle is mounted to the underside of a toilet seat positioned so the proximal end of the handle projects outwards from a side of the toilet seat, wherein the distal end of the handle is comprised of a flattened mounting base plate configured specifically to rest flush against the underside of the toilet seat, further comprising a hinge bridging the handle and the base plate, enabling the user to fold the extended portion of the handle downwards parallel with the side of the toilet when not in use.

2. The toilet seat lifting and lowering device of claim 1, comprising heavy duty plastic, rubber, polished wood, sleek stainless steel or other polished metal.

3. The toilet seat lifting and lowering device of claim 1, wherein the handle measures approximately one to five inches in width and six inches in total length.

4. The toilet seat lifting and lowering device of claim 1, wherein the base plate is secured to the underside of the seat by way of four durable threaded screws that are included with the unit.

5. The toilet seat lifting and lowering device of claim 1, wherein the base plate is secured to the underside of the seat by way of a heavy duty, sticky glue adhesive that coats one surface of the base plate, further comprising a protective peel away paper backing covering the adhesive wherein the peel away paper backing is removed prior to use.

6. The toilet seat lifting and lowering device of claim 1, further comprising a lightweight foam or rubber covering sized appropriately to cover the mounting plate, for discreetly hiding the mounting hardware from view.

7. The toilet seat lifting and lowering device of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured in any of a variety of shapes including basic rectangular handles, oval shaped units, abstract and geometric shapes, or in shapes of animals and letters that spell out words and names, in vibrant colors, neutral hues and color patterns germane to the shape of the handle.