Device for Manipulating Toilet Seats and Toilet Lids

Abstract

A device for manipulating toilet seats and toilet lids including a handle; a first elongated member attached to the handle; and a second elongated member attached to the handle, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member are configured to engage toilet seats and toilet lids for manipulation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for manipulating toilet seats and toilet lids, and specifically, for raising and lowering toilet seats and toilet lids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people believe toilet seats and toilet lids are unsanitary, especially those in public restrooms. For this reason, a variety of products are available to reduce the amount of contact a user has with a toilet seat. For example, disposable paper or plastic toilet seat covers are available in some public restrooms and provide a barrier between a toilet seat and a user of the toilet seat. These barriers, however, are not always available, and further, only reduce the contact between a toilet seat user and a toilet seat when the toilet seat user sits on the toilet seat. Moreover, these barriers to not reduce the contact between a toilet lid and a user of a toilet seat. Thus, there exists a need for a device that allows a toilet seat user to manipulate a toilet seat and toilet lid without contacting the toilet seat and toilet lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the device for manipulating toilet seats and toilet lids comprises a handle, a first elongated member attached to the handle, and a second elongated member attached to the handle, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member are configured to engage toilet seats and toilet lids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a toilet seat flipper 10 of the present invention. The toilet seat flipper 10 includes a handle 11 for holding the toilet seat flipper 10. The toilet seat flipper 10 may also include a first elongated member 13 and a second elongated member 14. In this embodiment, first elongated member 13 and second elongated member 14 extend substantially parallel to one another and are connected by connecting member 12. Connecting member 12 may be sized such that first elongated member 13 and second elongated member 14 can engage a toilet seat. In some embodiments, one or more of first elongated member 13, connecting member 12, and second elongated member 14 are flexible so that the toilet seat flipper 10 can be used on toilet seats and toilet lids of varying thickness. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, first elongated member 13 is shorter than second elongated member 14 to facilitate manipulation of the toilet seat and toilet lid during use of the toilet seat flipper 10. In alternative embodiments, first elongated member 13 may be the same length as or longer than second elongated member 14. In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1, handle 11, first elongated member 13, second elongated member 14, and connecting member 12 are unitary. In alternative embodiments, handle 11, first elongated member 13, second elongated member 14, and connecting member 12 need not be unitary.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the toilet seat flipper 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, handle 11 has an opening 15 so that the toilet seat flipper 10 can be hung on a wall when not in use. In alternative embodiments, handle 11 can include a magnet, latch, snap, loop of material, adhesive material, or other mechanism for securing toilet set flipper 10 to a wall or other vertical surface. In additional alternative embodiments, toilet seat flipper 10 can be placed in a holder. In still further alternative embodiments, toilet seat flipper 10 does not include any mechanism for securing toilet seat flipper 10 to a wall, and instead, toilet seat flipper 10 is placed on a horizontal surface or inside of bag, box, or the like when not in use. In some embodiments, toilet seat flipper is meant to be carried on or with the user of toilet seat flipper 10.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a toilet seat flipper 20 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the handle 21 includes a threaded member 25. The threaded member 25 can be securely fitted in opening 26 of connecting member 22. The threaded member 25 and opening 26 allow handle 21 to be attached and detached from first elongated member 23, second elongated member 24, and connecting member 22. In alternative embodiments, handle 21 can be attached to connecting member 22 through the use of a magnet, latch, snap, or other connecting mechanism. In additional alternative embodiments, handle 21 may be attached to connecting member 22 through a joint, hinge, or swivel to allow handle 21 to be folded so that toilet seat flipper 20 can be more easily stored.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a toilet seat flipper 30 of the present invention. In this embodiment, handle 31 has a different orientation with regard to the first elongated member 33, second elongated member 34, and connecting member 32. Additional orientations of handle 31 on toilet seat flipper 30 are also possible.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a toilet seat flipper 40 of the present invention. In this embodiments, first elongated member 43 and second elongated member 44 extend away from one another in a direction substantially opposite connecting member 42 to facilitate toilet seats and toilet lids of different thicknesses.

Claims

1. A device for manipulating toilet seats or toilet lids, comprising:

an elongated handle extending in a first direction;

a first upper elongated member attached to a first end of the handle and extending in a second direction; and

a second lower elongated member attached to the first end of the handle and extending in the second direction, the second direction being obtuse to the first direction, the first elongated member and second elongated member being parallel and spaced apart to receive a toilet seat or toilet lid.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member are substantially flat.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first elongated member is tapered.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first elongated member is shorter in length than the second elongated member.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the first elongated member is flexible.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the first elongated member flexes away from the second elongated member.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the handle includes an opening.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the handle includes a magnet.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the handle is jointly connected to the first elongated member and the second elongated member.

10. A device for manipulating toilet seats and toilet lids comprising:

an elongated handle extending in a first direction;

a first upper elongated member extending in a second direction; and

a second lower elongated member attached to the first elongated member and extending in the second direction, the second direction being obtuse to the first direction, the first member and the second member being parallel and spaced to receive a toilet seat or toilet lid, wherein the handle is removeably attached to the first elongated member and the second elongated member at a first end of the handle.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member are substantially flat.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the first elongated member flexes away from the second elongated member.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the first elongated member is shorter in length than the second elongated member.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the first elongated member is flexible.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the handle includes an opening.

16. A device for manipulating toilet seats or toilet lids comprising;

an elongated handle extending in a first direction;

a first upper elongated member attached to a first end of the handle and extending in a second direction, the first elongated member being substantially flat; and

a second lower elongated member attached to the first end of the handle and extending in the second direction, and the second elongated member being substantially flat, wherein the first upper elongated member flexes away from the second lower elongated member to receive toilet seats and toilet lids of different thicknesses.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the first elongated member is tapered.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the first elongated member comprises a rounded end.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the handle includes an opening.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the handle is removeably attached to the first elongated member and the second elongated member at the first end of the handle.