Inflatable Wedge toilet seat lift

Abstract

A inflatable wedge toilet seat lift, located between the toilet bowl rim, and the toilet seat. Foot actuated via a foot pedal pump, when the foot pedal pump is pressed, air travels through tubing causing the wedge expand with air. The inflation lifts the toilet seat, away from the toilet bowl rim.

Description

REFERENCES CROSS-CITED

U.S. Patent Documents

4,103,371	August 1978	Wilson
5,745,930	May 1998	Fallen
6,112,335	September 2000	Gaston
6,158,059	December 2000	Zhang
6,363,543	April 2002	Bright Jr.
7,281,277	October 2007	Uchida

FEDERALLY SPONSORED

N/A

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

N/A

BACKGROUND

This invention generally relates to lifting a toilet seat without the use of a person's hands. It falls into the USPTO U.S. classification 4/246.1, CPC class of A61G 7/1007 and International class A47k 13/10. A conventional toilet includes a toilet bowl to which is pivotally attached a toilet seat and a toilet lid. Prior to use, the toilet lid or both the toilet lid and toilet seat must be raised. Lifting of the toilet lid and toilet seat is typically performed manually and is unhygienic in some cases. This application pertains to the lifting of the seat and or lid by a Inflatable wedge via pneumatic foot pedal, avoiding direct contact with the lid, therefore preventing contamination.

The previous inventions of a toilet seat lift requires, Cylinders (patent #4,103,371 to Wilson), Handles, and levers (U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,277) The previous inventions to Uchida), and good ideals which serves the purpose. However they are difficult to install and requires a lot of hardware.

In this application you will find it evident that, a simple inflatable wedge, tubing and a foot paddle pump, is all that is needed to accomplish the task of lifting a toilet seat. Easy to install, clean, small and made of lightweight plastic. The average toilet seat is 18″, for most models more mass will be closer to the hinge than away from it, so putting the whole mass at halfway should be ok. Then you have 7 pounds at 9″ from the hinge. 7 lbs×9″=63 lbs/12 inches=>5.25 foot pounds of torque to lift the seat horizontal. Less when the seat is at a angle. Additional advantages of one or more aspects will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A Pneumatic foot actuated toilet seat lifter comprising of a foot pedal pump, forcing compressed air, (when the foot pedal is actuated by compression of the pedal), the air is force through tubing connected to an inflation wedge bladder, located between the toilet bowl rim and beneath the seat. When the bladder is inflated, this causes the toilet seat to lift (vertical) under direct pressure, and when deflated allows the toilet seat to close (Horizontal).

DETAILED SUMMARY

This invention relates to toilet apparatus and, more particularly, to a device for lifting and lowering a toilet seat without the need for the user having to manipulate the toilet seat proper.

One concern is the potential transfer of harmful bacteria associated with raising and/or lowering a conventional seat. Due to its location and use, a toilet seat may be unsanitary particularly if not disinfected after each use.

In response thereto various structures have been proposed which enable a user to manipulate a toilet seat between its raised and lowered positions without the need to touch the seat proper. Although assumable effective in operation, such devices do not address an easy attachment and use by the average person or housewife.

In response thereto I have invented a lifting assembly for a toilet seat comprising of a inflatable wedge, connective tubing, foot pedal pump, and a universal wedge base. The foot pedal pump once compressed by the human foot, forces compressed air through the tubing, which is connected to the inflatable wedge. Once the wedge is inflated, this causes the seat to ascend from horizontal or closed position, to a vertical or open position. The wedge can be located on (one side) or wedges (bilateral), the wedge/wedges are secured between the rim of the toilet and underneath the seat. It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a lift assembly for user manipulation of a toilet seat between elevated (open) and horizontal position (closed) without handling the toilet seat proper.

The advantages of the Pneumatic toilet seat are, it is easy to attach to and existing toilet seats of various designs. It is easy to use, and easy to clean. Hardware is minimal, consisting of a wedge/wedges, tubing, foot pedal pump, and a universal mounting base. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.

Drawing - Reference Numbers:
002 Toilet
004 Toilet seat
006 Toilet bowl lid
008 Toilet bowl rim
010 Inflatable wedge
012 wedge base
014 Inflatable wedge bellow
016 Pressure tubing
018 Foot pedal pump
020 Foot pedal bellow
022 Adjustable slots

DRAWINGS BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 a view of the present invention showing the southeast view of a 002 toilet. 008 shows the toilet bowl rim

FIG. 1a Show the 002 toilet with the 006 toilet bowl lid closed.

FIG. 2 shows the 002 toilet with the 004 toilet seat installed that sits on the 008 toilet bowl rim.

FIG. 2a Shows the 002 toilet with the 004 toilet seat and the 006 toilet bowl lid installed.

FIG. 3 Shows the 002 toilet, 012 wedge base, 010 inflatable wedges (deflated/closed), sitting on the 008 toilet bowl rim.

FIG. 3a Shows the 002 toilet, with the 010 inflatable wedges with 014 inflatable wedge (air tight) bellows (inflated/open), sitting on 008 toilet bowl rim.

FIG. 4 Show the 002 toilet, with the 018 foot pedal pump on the floor with 020 foot pedal pump (air tight) bellow in the open position. While 004 toilet seat is in the closed horizontal. 016 Pressure tubing is connected to the 018 foot pedal pump to the 010 inflatable wedges (not visible shown), beneath the 004 toilet seat.

FIG. 4a Shows the 002 toilet, with the 018 foot pedal pump (closed/compressed position) in which compressed air traveled through the 016 pressure tubing to the 010 inflatable wedges. Resulting in the 004 toilet seat to raise.

FIG. 5 shows the standard toilet with the inflatable toilet seat lift installed, 012 wedge base, 010 inflatable wedges (closed), sitting on the 008 toilet bowl rim.

FIG. 6 Shows the Pneumatic toilet seat lift in the closed position, 010 inflatable wedges (closed), 012 wedge base, 016 pressure tubing, 020 foot pump (air tight) bellow, and 018 foot pedal pump in the (open) position.

FIG. 6a Shows the Pneumatic toilet seat lift in the open position, 010 inflatable wedges are (open/inflated).Compressed air from 018 foot pedal pump, (via 016 pressure tubing), when 018 foot pedal pump is (compressed/closed). This forces compressed air through 016 pressure tubing. This is a system for raising the toilet seat that includes, a inflatable wedge (that is placed on the toilet rim), to raise the toilet seat, pressure tubing connected to a foot pedal pump, thus by depressing the pedal, the pressure inflates the wedge, and raises the toilet seat.

DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a southeast view of a 002 toilet, without the 004 toilet seat or 006 toilet bowl lid. FIG. 1a is the standard basic toilet with the 004 toilet seat and 006 toilet bowl lid installed. FIG. 2 is a southeast view of the 002 toilet with the 004 toilet seat installed. FIG. 2a is the 002 toilet with the 004 toilet seat and the 006 toilet bowl lid with the 006 toilet bowl lid in the open position. FIG. 3 is the first embodiment the 012 wedge base of the pneumatic toilet seat lift. It sits on the 008 toilet rim. 010 shows the inflatable wedges in the (closed position). In FIG. 3a shows the second embodiment 010 inflatable wedges in the (open position), sitting on the 008 toilet bowl rim. FIG. 4 shows the 004 toilet seat in the horizontal (closed position). With the 018 foot pedal pump on the floor adjacent to the 002 toilet with the 020 foot pedal (air tight) bellow in the open position connected to 016 pressure tubing. FIG. 4a shows the 018 foot pedal pump in the (compressed position) forcing compressed air through 016 pressure tubing into 010 inflatable wedges, resulting in 004 toilet seat to rise away from the 008 toilet bowl rim. FIG. 5 shows the pneumatic toilet seat lift installed in 002 toilet with 010 inflatable wedges in the (closed position). 012 wedge base sitting on the 008 toilet bowl rim.

FIG. 6 show the Pneumatic toilet seat lift in the closed position (without the toilet). 012 wedge base, 010 inflatable wedges, 016 pressure tubing, and 018 foot pedal pump. FIG. 6a Shows the pneumatic toilet seat lift with the 010 inflatable wedges in the (open position), 018 foot pedal pump in the (compressed/closed position) forcing air, via 016 pressure tubing into the 010 inflatable wedges. The 010 inflatable wedge and 012 wedge base can be one piece or can be attached in several ways, The 010 inflatable wedge/wedges can be on one side, or attached bilaterally to the 008 toilet bowl rim. Most conventional toilets have two holes (usually 5.5 inches apart) for bolts at the posterior rim of the 008 toilet bowl rim. The 010 inflatable wedges are attached to the 012 wedge base for placement. The 012 wedge base also has 022 slots for adjustment and maximum lift.

The 018 foot pedal pump has a receiving pad for the foot. The 018 foot paddle pump is airtight between the base and the receiving pad surface, the compression of the receiving pad and the 018 foot pedal pump base, results in pressure. The 018 foot pedal pump has one way valve not shown to siphon air from the atmosphere, it can also has a imbedded spring (not shown) for recoil after it has been pressed, or can be manufactured to return to the original position. The pressured air in the 018 foot pedal pump's air tight 014 foot pedal bellow (chamber) is forced into the 016 pressure tubing.

The 016 pressure tubing connects the 018 foot pedal pump to the 010 inflatable wedge/wedges bladder. The air travels through the 016 pressure tubing under pressure into the 010 Inflatable wedge bladder/bladders. Once the 010 inflatable wedge bladders received the pressured air from the 018 foot pedal pump via the 016 tubing it inflates/expands lifting the 004 toilet seat away from the 008 toilet bowl rim. The 016 pressure tubing can have a release valve (not shown) to control the amount of pressure the 010 inflatable wedge receives from the 018 foot pedal pump for lift adjustment height of the 004 toilet seat. In FIG. 6a the 012 wedge base can have 022 adjustable slots.

Claims

1. A Pneumatic toilet seat lift comprising:

a) at least one inflatable wedge bladder;

b) a wedge base;

c) pressure tubing; and

d) a foot pedal pump connecting the pressure tubing to at least one wedge.

2. A inflatable wedge bladder that is sandwiched between a toilet bowl rim and a toilet bowl seat, with applied pressure, lifts the toilet bowl seat away from the toilet bowl rim, comprising of a inflatable wedge, a foot pedal pump, pressurized tubing and a wedge base mounting plate The Wedge The Foot Pedal Pump The Pressure Tubing The Mounting Plate While the above description contains many specification, these shown not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiments

a) The inflatable wedge bladder of claim 2, is sandwiched between the seat, and the toilet bowl rim.

b) The inflatable wedge bladder of claim 1, is inflatable, and can be made of plastic or a flexible resilient material.

c) The inflatable wedge bladder of claim 1, in which the said wedge bladder receives compressed air, resulting in expansion, lifts the toilet bowl seat, away from the toilet bowl rim.

d) The inflatable wedge bladder of claim 1, is inactive at 0 degrees (flat, deflated, horizontal), and active at greater than 0 degrees (inflated, vertical)

e) The inflatable wedge bladder of claim 1, can be attached by adhesive strips, hook and loop or manufactured as one piece, attached to said mounting plate.

f) The inflatable wedge bladder of claim 1, can have air tight bellows or pleats.

g) The inflatable wedge bladder of claim 1, can fold and unfold by compressed air, lifting/pivoting the toilet seat

a) The foot pedal pump of claim 1, acts as a pump comprising of bellows or pleats,

b) The foot pedal pump of claim 1, having a foot receiving pad, and a base pivotally attached or manufactured as one piece.

c) The foot pedal pump of claim 1, comprising of a enclosed compartment to form an air/fluid tight chamber.

d) The foot pedal pump of claim 1, when compressed, forces compressed air/fluid from the said chamber into said pressure tubing.

e) The foot pedal pump of claim 1, can be located on the floor adjacent to the toilet, and have a embedded spring for recovering for recompression.

f) The foot pedal pump of claim 1, comprising of a one way valve to siphon air from the atmosphere (when recovering), and preventing air from returning to the atmosphere (when compressed), thus forcing air into said pressure tubing

a) The pressure tubing of claim 1, acts as a conduit for the flow of pressurized air/fluid, once said foot pedal pump is depressed.

b) The pressure tubing of claim 1, is connected from said foot pedal pump to said inflatable wedge/wedges.

c) The pressure tubing of claim 1, can have a release valve to adjust the pressure for the toilet seat lift height.

d) The pressure tubing of claim 1, can have various fasteners, made of various resilient materials, or manufactured as one piece.

a) The mounting plate of claim 1, is located between the toilet bowl seat and the toilet bowl rim, and can be made of various resilient material.

b) The mounting plate of claim 1, can be secured by fasteners already attached to a standard toilet seat, and slots for adjustable positioning