TOILET SEAT HANDLE

Abstract

A seat handle for providing a clean handhold surface for lifting or lowering a toilet seat having a bottom surface, the seat handle comprising a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a shield having a depth, the shield extending substantially at right angle to the plate from the bottom surface dividing the bottom surface of the plate into an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the shield includes an inner surface and an outer surface and an attachment pad configured to attach the plate to a portion of the bottom surface of the toilet seat such that the shield blocks potential splashes from a toilet to keep the outer surface and outer portion clean.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

This application relates generally to seat handles, and more specifically to seat handles adapted to toilet seats and provide sanitary contacting surfaces for lifting and lowering the toilet seats.

2. Background Art

A conventional toilet includes a toilet bowl having a rim, a toilet seat hingedly connected to a portion of the rim and configured to be lowered and supported upon the rim while in use and lifted such that the rim is free of the seat while the seat is not in use, and a cover. When a toilet seat is disposed atop the rim, surfaces of the seat can be soiled rather easily, especially the bottom surfaces as they are exposed to splashes of urine and feces from the toilet bowl. The top surfaces of the seat may also be soiled as well, especially when the toilet is used with the seat disposed atop the rim during use by a male individual. The bottom surfaces of the seat may also be soiled, especially near the area where the seat is hingedly connected to the rim. Therefore, all surfaces of a conventional seat may be soiled when the seat is disposed atop the rim and the bottom surfaces are exposed to soiling when the seat is rotated away from the rim.. As a conventional seat is lifted and lowered by physical contact of a user, soiled surfaces of the seat can cause transmission of urine, feces, foul smell and germs onto the user of the toilet. The conditions of public toilets are generally much worse as the users of such facilities are prone to disregarding good practices of sanitary habits and people of all kinds of health conditions are allowed to use such facilities.

Various handles have been devised to solve this problem. Many of the references disclose an apparatus that can lessen the exposure of a user to the negative elements from a toilet bowl but fail to solve the problem satisfactorily.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 20090205118 of Yoo (hereinafter Yoo) discloses a toilet seat handle having a bottom area configured to engage the perimeter of a toilet seat. A frontal area of the toilet seat includes an opening that is substantially non-parallel to the bottom area and has an inward curvature allowing grip by a user. The handle of Yoo lacks a shield which positively isolates contaminants due to splashes from a toilet when the seat is disposed on the rim of the toilet. The handle of Yoo must be mounted on a top surface of a seat and at the frontal area of the seat, therefore restricting the number of possible mounting locations. When mounted, the handle of Yoo protrudes above a top surface of a seat, presenting a barrier to the use of the toilet, especially by small children as such protrusion is relatively intrusive as compared to small children and especially when it must be mounted at the frontal area of a toilet seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,863 to Pratt (hereinafter Pratt) discloses a toilet seat and handle combination comprising a toilet seat and at least one handle. The toilet seat has an upper side and a bottom side, right and left sides, and at least one groove located in the bottom side. The handle comprises at least one section that fits inside the groove, which has sufficient depth to ensure that the section fits at least partially inside the groove with respect to the bottom side of the toilet seat. Each handle of Pratt lacks a shield for preventing splashes from a toilet bowl on at least a portion of the handle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,842,916 to Gunn et al. (hereinafter Gunn) discloses a toilet seat lifting device, for use in lifting a toilet seat lid and selectively simultaneously lifting a toilet seat, having a housing, a handle slidably mounted within the housing, a hook attached beneath the handle and an adhesive pad located on the housing. The adhesive pad is affixed to the toilet seat lid. The user slides the handle between an outward position when only the toilet seat lid is being lifted, and an inward position where the hook engages the toilet seat so that when the handle is lifted, the toilet seat will be lifted along with the toilet seat lid. In order to lift or lower a toilet seat, Gunn's device must involve the use of a lid or cover as the device is attached to a cover. In using the device to lift a seat, additional steps must be taken to lower the cover such that the device can reach the seat and be made to grasp the seat before lifting the seat. In contrast, the present handle does not require such additional steps to lift a seat.

U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 352883 to Elbaz, 414852 to Snook, 544334 to Dismuke disclose several toilet handles, all lacking a shield for blocking splashes from a toilet bowl. There arises a need for an apparatus to handle the lifting and the lowering of the toilet seat so that the user may avoid exposure to negative elements due to splashes from a toilet bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A seat handle for providing a clean handhold surface for lifting or lowering a toilet seat having a bottom surface. The seat handle comprises a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a shield extending at substantially right angle to the plate from the bottom surface dividing the bottom surface of the plate into an inner portion and an outer portion. The shield includes an inner surface, an outer surface and an attachment pad disposed on the top surface of the plate and the attachment pad is configured to attach the plate to a portion of the bottom surface of the toilet seat such that the outer surface faces away from the toilet seat and the shield blocks potential splashes from a toilet to keep the outer surface and outer portion clean.

It is a primary object of the present handle to provide a handle having at least an area that can be kept free from contamination such that transmission of negative elements from a toilet seat to a user can be avoided.

It is another object of the present handle to provide suitable lighting to a toilet area. In one embodiment, the present handle further comprises an illumination device adapted to the bottom surface of the plate.

In one embodiment, the operation of the illumination device is controlled via a switch mounted at the inner portion such that the switch is capable of indicating a first state corresponding to when the toilet seat comes in contact with a toilet bowl and a second state corresponding to when the toilet seat no longer comes in contact with the toilet bowl.

In one embodiment, at least a portion of the handle is constructed from a glow in the dark material.

In one embodiment, the handle is constructed from an antimicrobial material.

The illumination device can be a bulb or a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

In one embodiment, the depth of the shield is at least about 19 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the present seat handle.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present seat handle.

FIG. 3 is a bottom orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present seat handle.

FIG. 4 is a front orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present seat handle, depicting its alignment with the bottom of a toilet seat for its attachment to the bottom of the toilet seat.

FIG. 4A is a front orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present seat handle, depicting another means for securing the seat handle to a toilet seat.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a toilet, depicting the preparation for possible installation configurations of the present seat handle.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a toilet, depicting possible installation configurations of the present seat handle.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present seat handle as used in conjunction with a toilet bowl.

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present seat handle, depicting a user's contact with the handle to lift or lower a seat.

FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present seat handle, depicting a user's contact with the handle to lift or lower a seat.

FIG. 8 is a bottom orthogonal view of another embodiment of the present seat handle.

FIG. 9 is a front orthogonal view of another embodiment of the present seat handle.

FIG. 10 is a rear orthogonal view of another embodiment of the present seat handle.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a toilet, depicting the activation of the light incorporated in a present seat handle.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present lighting system incorporated in a present handle.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present lighting system incorporated in a present handle.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present lighting system incorporated in a present handle.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the present lighting system incorporated in a present handle.

PARTS LIST

2 seat handle

4 top surface of seat handle

6 bottom surface of seat handle

8 shield

10 outer portion of bottom surface of seat handle

12 inner portion of bottom surface of seat handle

14 toilet seat

16 toilet bowl

18 tank

20 attachment pad

22 length of seat handle

24 width of seat handle

25 power source

26 light

27 master switch

28 combined master switch and power source

30 toilet bowl rim

32 splashes

34 protected areas

36 direction in which lifting force is applied

38 toilet bowl contents

40 offset between top surface of toilet seat and top surface of seat handle

42 depth of shield

44 plate

46 push button switch

48 screw

50 rear edge of plate

52 finger

54 light sensor

PARTICULAR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present seat handle can be adapted to one of several locations of a toilet seat, making it customizable to a user's liking. Each seat handle includes an area that is easily accessible to one or more fingers of a user and positively protected from contamination due to normal uses of a toilet.

The present seat handle can be adapted to toilet seats of many designs and configurations provided that the surface to which the present handle is attached is relatively flat.

Upon installation, the top surface of the present seat handle is disposed at an offset from the top surface of a toilet seat to which the present seat handle is attached, thereby not altering the space in which a seat user needs to feel comfortable.

In contrast to Yoo, the present handle can potentially be installed at one of many locations on a toilet seat and is therefore customizable to a user's liking. Yoo's handle must be installed in the frontal area due to the means by which Yoo's handle is installed and the requirement that the handle may not alter the surface on which the user sits or comes in contact with. In addition, the attachment surface of the present handle does not need to be specially profiled or contoured for attachment to a toilet seat as the present handle is configured for attachment to a bottom surface of a toilet seat which is relatively flat.

In contrast to Yoo, the present handle has at least one surface that is positively protected and therefore free from any contamination from any human waste. Yoo's bottom open area (part 305 of Yoo) is not sufficiently protected to ensure its surface is free from human waste, especially when a toilet is used by a male urinating with the seat lowered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The term “about” is used herein to mean approximately, roughly, around, or in the region of. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 20 percent up or down (higher or lower).

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a bottom and top perspective view of one embodiment of the present seat handle 2, respectively. The seat handle 2 provides a clean handhold surface for lifting or lowering a toilet seat. The seat handle 2 is essentially a plate 44 having a top surface 4 and a bottom surface 6, a shield 8 having a depth 42, and an attachment pad 20 configured to attach the plate 44 to a portion of the bottom surface of the toilet seat. The shield 8 extends substantially at a right angle to the plate 44 from the bottom surface 6 of the plate, dividing the bottom surface 6 of the plate 44 into an inner portion 12 and an outer portion 10. The shield 8 includes an inner surface and an outer surface. Upon installation, the outer surface faces away from the toilet bowl on which the handle is used and the shield 8 blocks potential splashes from a toilet to keep the outer surface and the outer portion 10 of the bottom surface of the handle clean. In one embodiment, the depth 42 of the shield 8 measures about 19 mm. The features of the bottom surface 6 of the plate 44 become more apparent in FIG. 3 which is a bottom orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present seat handle 2.

FIG. 4 is a front orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present seat handle 2, depicting its alignment with the bottom of a toilet seat 14 for its attachment to the bottom of the toilet seat. In one embodiment, the attachment pad 20 is a double sided tape with a first side attached to the top surface 4 of the plate 44 and a second side configured to be attached to the bottom surface of a toilet seat. FIG. 4A is a front orthogonal view of one embodiment of the present seat handle, depicting an alternative means for securing the seat handle to a toilet seat. In this embodiment, the handle 2 is secured to a seat 14 using fasteners such as screws 48, although less preferably, as a tool for fastening the screws 48 is required. In one embodiment, the length 22 of the handle measures about 77 mm and the width 24 of the handle measures about 102 mm. The front and rear edges 52, 50 of the plate 44 and the shield 8 are preferably curved to form arcs so that they conform better to curvatures of a seat 14. The arcs further aid as a visual guide to a user installing a handle 2 to a seat as they have similar curvatures with the handle 2.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a toilet, depicting the preparation for possible installation configurations of the present seat handle 2. Typically only one handle is used. However, for illustration purposes, all typical installation configurations are shown. FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a toilet, depicting possible installation configurations of the present seat handle when the seat is disposed in both a lifted/raised position and a lowered position. In installing a handle 2 to a toilet seat, the toilet seat is first raised to and left in its vertical position. The handle 2 is then preferably disposed directly atop a portion of the rim 30 of a toilet bowl 16 either on one side of the rim or on the front of the rim such that the shield 8 is positioned in such a manner that it does not interfere with the toilet rim. The portion of the toilet seat to which the handle 2 is attached is cleaned and allowed to dry. The tape protector on the second side of the double sided tape is then removed. The toilet seat is then lowered onto the top surface 4 of the handle 2 while the handle 2 is being held in place. The handle 2 is then raised slightly on to the bottom surface of the toilet seat to ensure the handle 2 adheres to the seat. In order to complete the installation of the handle 2, the toilet seat is then fully lifted such that the handle 2 can be pressed firmly against the bottom of the handle 2 to ensure full adhesion to the seat to result in one of the configurations shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present seat handle 2 as used in conjunction with a toilet bowl 16. A handle 2 is attached to the toilet seat 14 via attachment pad 20. Splashes 32 caused in the toilet bowl of the contents of the toilet bowl can be directed upwardly towards the seat 14. As illustrated, the splashes 32 can reach (1) a space between the seat 14 and the toilet bowl rim 30 and get onto the inner surface of the shield 8 or the surface facing the rim 30 and the inner portion 12 of the bottom surface of seat handle; and (2) a space above the toilet seat 14 and land on the top surface 4 of the handle. The protected areas 34 include the outer surface of the shield 8 or the surface facing away from the rim 30 and the outer portion 10 of the bottom surface of the seat handle. A user may contact the protected areas 34 according to FIGS. 7A and 7B with one or more fingers 52 to lift or lower the seat 14 in direction 36 without having the fingers contaminated.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 is a bottom, front and rear orthogonal view of another embodiment of the present seat handle 2, respectively. FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a toilet, depicting the activation of an illumination device incorporated in the present seat handle. In this embodiment, a light 26 is provided to aid in illuminating the toilet and the area around the toilet for user convenience at night when the light level at the toilet is low. There are two primary causes for low light level: (a) A wall power outlet may not be available near the toilet area for auxiliary lighting, e.g., night light and (b) full lighting may not be desired as such lighting may inadvertently cause inability of its user to return to sleep. Therefore, there exists a need for such night lighting at or around the toilet area. Applicant discovered that the present lighting system can be used to fulfill such need. The light 26 is selectively turned on or controlled using a switch 46 such that its portable power can be conserved. In one embodiment, the light is configured to protrude through an aperture in the shield 8 to point in the inner portion of bottom surface of seat handle. The light may be a bulb or a Light Emitting Diode (LED). In one embodiment, switch 46 is a push button switch where the circuit of the light 26 is complete when the push button is in its undepressed state, i.e., when the seat 14 is disposed in its lifted state as shown in FIG. 11 and the circuit of the light 26 is incomplete when the push button is in its depressed state, i.e., when the seat 14 is disposed in its lowered state. As the light 26 is turned on when the seat is lifted, it aids a user, especially a male user in locating and using the toilet. For a female user, the light 26 aids the user in noticing that the seat is still lifted and should be lowered before use. The master switch 27 of the combined switch and power source 28 is provided to enable or disable connection of the light 26 and switch 46 to the power source.

Therefore, at a press of the master switch 27, entire circuit of the light 26 can be enabled or disabled.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present lighting system as shown in FIG. 8. FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of other embodiments of the present lighting system incorporated in a present handle. FIG. 12 depicts a master switch 27 connected in series with a power source 25, a push button switch 46 and a light 26. In one embodiment, the power source 25 includes a battery. The state of the master switch 27 determines whether or not the circuit is complete or activated. The embodiment of the lighting system of FIG. 13 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 12 with the exception that the push button switch 46 of FIG. 12 is not included. In this embodiment, the light 26 is turned on or off by closing or opening the master switch 27. The embodiment of the lighting system of FIG. 14 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 with the exception that the master switch 27 of FIG. 12 is not included. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the actuation of light 26 is controlled merely with push button switch 46. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the present lighting system incorporated in a present handle. A light sensor may alternatively be connected in series to open the circuit when the light level at the light sensor exceeds a certain threshold, further conserving the power source 25.

In yet another embodiment, a handle may be formed integrally with a toilet seat, thereby eliminating the need for a separate handle 2 that is removably attached to a toilet seat as disclosed elsewhere herein. In one embodiment, at least a portion of a handle is constructed from a glow in the dark or phosphorescent material that illuminates under low light conditions. The glow in the dark material can be used in addition to or instead of the previously disclosed light. When used in combination with the previously disclosed light, the glow in the dark material serves as an assurance that at least some illumination is available (if the power source to the light has been completely depleted) until the power source to the light can be replaced. In one embodiment, a handle is constructed from an antimicrobial material to that kills germs or inhibits their growth to further prevent transmission of germs.

The detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present disclosed embodiments may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice aspects of the present invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The various embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, with the full scope of equivalents to which they may be entitled. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive, and that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon studying the above description. The scope of the present disclosed embodiments includes any other applications in which embodiments of the above structures and fabrication methods are used. The scope of the embodiments should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A seat handle for providing a clean handhold surface for lifting or lowering a toilet seat having a bottom surface, said seat handle comprising:

(a) a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface; and

(b) a shield having a depth, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said shield extending substantially at a right angle to said plate from said bottom surface, dividing said bottom surface of said plate into an inner portion and an outer portion;

wherein said shield blocks potential splashes from a toilet to keep said outer surface and said outer portion clean.

2. The seat handle of claim 1, further comprising an attachment pad disposed on said top surface of said plate and configured to attach said plate to a portion of the bottom surface of the toilet seat.

3. The seat handle of claim 1, further comprising an illumination device adapted to illuminate from said bottom surface of said plate.

4. The seat handle of claim 3, wherein said illumination device is selected from the group consisting of a bulb and a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

5. The seat handle of claim 3, further comprising a light sensor for controlling said illumination device.

6. The seat handle of claim 3, further comprising a switch mounted at said inner portion, wherein said switch is capable of indicating a first state corresponding to when the toilet seat comes in contact with a toilet bowl and a second state corresponding to when the toilet seat no longer comes in contact with the toilet bowl and the operation of said illumination device is controlled via said switch.

7. The seat handle of claim 6, wherein said illumination device is turned on when said switch is disposed in said second state.

8. The seat handle of claim 1, wherein said depth is at least about 19 mm.

9. The seat handle of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said seat handle is constructed from a glow in the dark material.

10. The seat handle of claim 1, wherein said seat handle is constructed from an antimicrobial material.

11. A seat handle for providing a clean handhold surface for lifting or lowering a toilet seat having a bottom surface, said seat handle comprising:

(a) a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

(b) a shield having a depth, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said shield extending substantially at right angle to said plate from said bottom surface, dividing said bottom surface of said plate into an inner portion and an outer portion;

(c) an attachment pad disposed on said top surface of said plate and configured to attach said plate to a portion of the bottom surface of the toilet seat; and

(d) an illumination device adapted to illuminate from said bottom surface of said plate,

wherein said shield blocks potential splashes from a toilet to keep said outer surface and said outer portion clean.

12. The seat handle of claim 11, wherein said illumination device is selected from the group consisting of a bulb and a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

13. The seat handle of claim 11, further comprising a light sensor for controlling said illumination device.

14. The seat handle of claim 11, further comprising a switch mounted at said inner portion, wherein said switch is capable of indicating a first state corresponding to when the toilet seat comes in contact with a toilet bowl and a second state corresponding to when the toilet seat no longer comes in contact with the toilet bowl and the operation of said illumination device is controlled via said switch.

15. The seat handle of claim 11, wherein said illumination device is turned on when said switch is disposed in said second state.

16. The seat handle of claim 11, wherein said depth is at least about 19 mm.

17. The seat handle of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of said seat handle is constructed from a glow in the dark material.

18. A seat handle for providing a clean handhold surface for lifting or lowering a toilet seat having a bottom surface, said seat handle comprising:

(a) a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

(b) a shield having a depth, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said shield extending substantially at right angle to said plate from said bottom surface, dividing said bottom surface of said plate into an inner portion and an outer portion;

(c) an attachment pad disposed on said top surface of said plate and configured to attach said plate to a portion of the bottom surface of the toilet seat;

(d) an illumination device adapted to illuminate from said bottom surface of said plate, and

(e) a switch mounted at said inner portion, wherein said switch is capable of indicating a first state corresponding to when the toilet seat comes in contact with a toilet bowl and a second state corresponding to when the toilet seat no longer comes in contact with the toilet bowl and the operation of said illumination device is controlled via said switch and said illumination device is turned on when said switch is disposed in said second state,

wherein said shield blocks potential splashes from a toilet to keep said outer surface and said outer portion clean.

19. The seat handle of claim 18, wherein said illumination device is selected from the group consisting of a bulb and a Light Emitting Diode (LED).

20. The seat handle of claim 18, further comprising a light sensor for controlling said illumination device.