TOILET AND TOILET SEAT LIFTING MECHANISM

Abstract

A hands-free manual toilet seat device for the use in public, commercial and residential toilet basins. The user operates the toilet seat vertically and releases it down horizontally without using their hands. Embodiments include a one-piece, multiple gear-driven device including a modified toilet seat, rear mechanical harness and foot operated lever that can be retrofitted (replaced) to existing manual toilet seats that are currently installed on the public, commercial and residential standard toilet basins with a two bolt traditional application. Rotary speed limiters (dampers) improve the safety and security during operation. The toilet seat device serves as a dual hands-free toilet seat and assistive device for seniors with physical limitations and physically handicapped individuals for specific locations.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet seats and more particularly to a lifting mechanism for toilet seats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Widely available public and commercial toilet seats in water closets are outdated and hazardous to the general public in regards to germs and contaminants especially in the world of COVID-19 and future pandemics. A typical toilet seat is installed with two main bolts and manually lifted by the user with their hands exposing themselves to germs and dangerous contaminants, which is hazardous for the user.

Studies have shown those COVID-19 particles and other dangerous viruses as well as bacteria exists in the toilet water and upon flush are raised in the air and settle on the surrounding objects. The user is more prone to be exposed to these contaminants by manually touching the toilet seat in order to operate it. In addition, maintenance, cleaning and repair are time consuming, expensive, inefficient and these activities do not prevent the germs from transferring to the users as long as users are manually touching the surface with their hands.

Many persons dislike touching either the hinged cover or seat in water closets with their hands. Some users use either toilet tissue or use their foot and balance to attempt to lift the seat or lid which is dangerous and is conduct that is prone to injury particularly in public toilets. As a result of this almost universal antipathy, some devices for lifting the covers and seats have been provided heretofore. However, the current and prior devices have not come into very wide use for in the public domain and they have been designed for residential use, impractical, poorly designed, cumbersome, expensive to manufacture and/or difficult to install on existing commercial toilet basins. Additionally, they are not completely hands-free and not specifically designed for complete operation of the toilet seat to prevent complete hand contact to the seat.

The manually operated lifters where a hand lever has been provided have not met with success for many persons also dislike to touch hand levers in case of presence of germs and contaminants or plume (aerosols) that have infected the area which leaves the user exposed to the aforementioned germs and contaminants.

Furthermore, the manually operated lifters that are foot actuated have employed pedals which were pivoted on brackets sitting on the floor; prone to damage and abuse which made cleaning and maintenance very difficult, expensive and not efficient for the user or vendor. Moreover, there are electrical motion-detected devices that are costly to the vendor who in some instances, is required to modify or redesign the walls behind the toilet to accommodate the electrical wires, harnesses etc. that becomes costly and inefficient for the vendor.

It is therefore desirable to create a toilet seat lifter that is an easy to install retrofit or upgradeable device with a seat and lever attachment that alleviates or addresses some of these disadvantages particularly in public and commercial environments. Devices that are easy to install, easy to operate, durable, inexpensive to retrofit to current toilets, easy to clean and maintain by the vendor are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a seat lifting apparatus of this invention is characterized by a retrofit housing which is mounted on the rear of the closet bowl having a depending foot pedal which extends forwardly to an accessible position to the front at the side of the bowl, attached to a rotatable gear arm driven by the pedal. The arm extending forwardly underneath the seat to force same upwardly as it rotates when the pedal is pressed.

Another object is to provide a simple seat lifter apparatus which may be used to either raise or lower the seat as desired, without the need for any manual handling of the seat whatsoever.

One object of this invention is to provide a foot actuated seat lifter for water closets in the public and commercial environments which may be readily installed on existing toilets or which may be incorporated with either the bowl or seat assembly during manufacturing.

Another object is to provide a foot actuated seat lifter which is supported solely on the toilet bowl in such position as to be unlikely to become dirty and so as to be readily accessible and easy to keep clean and sanitary. However, because of the various toilet bowl designs, this may cause a problem during installation.

A further object is to provide a seat lifter apparatus which does not interfere with the normal manual operation (lifting) of the seat or cover so that the two may be manually moved in the normal manner independently of the lifter mechanism by persons who are not familiar with the device or do not desire to use it.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which can be installed on a wide variety of models of water closets without the need for special parts and foot lever which may be readily modified for mounting on either the right or left-hand side of the bowl.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which may be used to move the seat on water closets which are equipped with both a seat and hinged cover as well as those which have only a seat, the apparatus being adapted to lift the seat and cover and to lower the seat alone without manual contact in those models provided with both so that the water closet can be adjusted at will to have the cover lifted and lowered and the seat lifted and lowered.

A further object is to provide an apparatus which can accommodate an auto-seat sanitizer attachments for further germ protection of the user.

Other objects and advantages of the apparatus of this invention will present themselves to those familiar with the art on reading the following specification in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mechanical embodiment of the present invention, showing the toilet seat in its lowered position and right lever pedal/lift bar which raises it.

FIG. 2 is a right angle view of an embodiment of the present invention, showing the toilet seat in its lowered position, as well as the lever pedal/lift bar which raises it.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the toilet seat in its lowered position and lever pedal/lift bar which raises it.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the toilet seat in its lowered position and right lever pedal/lift bar which raises it.

FIG. 5 is a right angle view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the toilet seat in its lowered position and right lever pedal/lift bar which raises it and without the cover.

FIG. 6 is a right inside angle view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the side view of the gear configuration with the seat in in its non-engaged horizontal position.

FIG. 7 is a right inside angle view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the side view of the gear configuration with the seat engaged in in its vertical position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of various illustrative embodiments and possible implementations of the present invention will now be provided. It should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts, and that the embodiments described are purely exemplary and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The invention extends to alternatives, modifications, and equivalents to each of its elements, all of which are included in the scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and especially FIG. 5, the modified toilet seat 14 apparatus lifter of the present invention is comprised of a rear cover 10 with housed mechanical enclosure seat mount base 1 that includes the following mechanical components; the left and right shaft support brackets 2/7, housing rotary speed limiters 12/13 with mounted push-to-open roller latches 11, affixed to seat mount base 1, support the main pivot bar 5 with left and right large gears 3 simultaneously connected to a toilet seat pivot bar 6 connected to a said seat 14 with right and left small driven gears 4 also supported in the left and right shaft support brackets 2/7. The lift bar 8 connected to the main pivot bar 5 continues forwardly beside toilet basin to the front lever pedal 9.

To activate the lever pedal 9 from the front of the toilet (not shown in FIG. 5) to raise the said seat to a vertical position to which a push-to-open roller latch 11 will engage to lock into place, and applying the lever pedal 9 and lift bar 8 a second time, will un-engage/unlock the said roller latch 11, said seat 14 will release back down to its horizontal position.

In one embodiment, to activate the seat raising device, the user applies their foot to the foot pedal which is lateral to the toilet basin, and depresses the foot pedal downward 26°-40° degrees to activate the toilet seat upward to 92°-95° in a temporary locking position in will ‘click/lock’ into place. To reactivate or to close the seat, the user depresses the foot pedal again by ½-¾″ and the pedal raises back up and the seat will ‘unlock/re-release’ back down to full horizontal closure resting on top of the toilet bowl basin with a rotary speed limiter 12 (soft close).

In one embodiment, the mechanical components are comprised with 2 partial circle large gears and 2 circular small driven gears:

• • 1. 2 large partial circle gears (RH/LH) 7 teeth
    • 22°-24° ratio pressure angle.
    • Connected to each gear by a main pivot bar from end to end, connected to the left and, right shaft support brackets, seat mount base and lift bar.
  • 2. 2 small driven gears (RH/LH)—10 teeth
    • 20° ratio pressure angle.
    • Connected to seat pivot bar from end to end simultaneously connected to the modified toilet seat, left and right shaft support brackets, RH/LH rotary speed limiters and seat mount base.

All 4 gears are affixed and aligned together to create a rotational motion of the larger gears 3 rotating counter-clockwise and subsequent small driven gears 4 rotating clockwise.

The lift bar/lever pedal is affixed to the rear pivot bar and large gears to activate the rotation of the seat to an upward motion to 92°-95° and the foot pedal is positioned 26°-36° angle and lock in place by a rotary speed limiters 12/13 with lock with a steel push-to-open roller latch 11.

A particular advantage of the lifter is that it in no way interferes with the normal operation of manually raising and lowering a traditional seat and cover in the event a person unfamiliar with the device is using the water closet, for both the seat and cover may be moved freely when the pedal is in the raised position.

As well, the lifter permits vendor customers to simply remove their existing toilet seat and install a toilet seat lifter of the disclosed examples to reduce the maintenance, cleaning costs and provide a safer hands-free operation environment for the user.

The present invention can be fabricated in a number ways, including without limitation with the entire invention being various shapes to suit certain toilets, or with components of different shapes or sizes performing the same functions as disclosed herein, or using various materials; all while still falling within scope of the present invention, and all as would be known by a person of skill in the art. For example, structural material such as metal, steel, and non-structural material such as plastic and in fact the present invention is not limited to these materials, with particular preference to materials that could be and are commonly used in the bathroom industry. As examples only, without limitation, alternative materials include: stainless steel metals for all or some of the non-metal parts, copper, brass, aluminum, wrought iron and other sheet metals. Other alternative plastics include be thermoplastics, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polystyrene, HDPE (high density polyethylene), V or PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene) and SPI code 7 or SS304 metals.

The manner of fabrication is also variable while still falling within scope of the present invention, and this would also be known to a person of skill in the art. Exemplary ways of fabricating the invention include 3D printing the component parts; molding (if plastic); machining and manufacturing; joining in manufacturing; shearing and forming in manufacturing.

As well, certain variations in the positioning and arrangement of the components are also possible while still falling within scope of the present invention, and would be known to a person of skill in the art. For example, without limitation:

• • a. The positioning of the gears can be located in the center or off center of the MAIN PIVOT BAR 5 or outside of the left or right SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2. The variations of the push-to-open roller latch designs can be applied in different positions, outside the SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2 or built into the structure of the device.
  • b. The positioning of the MAIN PIVOT BAR 5 can be separate even/uneven sections housing the driving LARGE GEAR 3 of 7 Tooth or 48 Tooth Gears in its place.
  • c. The positioning of the SEAT PIVOT BAR 6 can be separate even/uneven sections housing the SMALL DRIVEN GEAR 4 of 6 Tooth or 12 Tooth Gears in its place.
  • d. The driving LARGE GEAR 3 and SMALL DRIVEN GEAR 4 can contain various numbers of Teeth or sizes to accommodate ratio operation.
  • e. The positioning and intensity of the ROTARY SPEED LIMITERS 12/13 can be positioned on the outside of the SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2 inside the SEAT PIVOT BAR 6 with adjustable tensions.
  • f. The RH LIFT BAR/LEVER PEDAL 8 can be relocated to the left side of the MAIN PIVOT BAR 5 or dual LH/RH LIFT BAR/LEVER PEDALS 8. The said LIFT BAR/LEVER PEDALS 8 can be replaced with a single linear/straight or curved handle on the right or the left side of the SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2 connected to the MAIN PIVOT BAR 5 for manual hand use.
  • g. The RH LIFT BAR/LEVER PEDAL can be modified and positioned at the top of the seat harness, either right or left side of the MAIN PIVOT BAR 5 positioned upward as a hand pull down activation of the seat.
  • h. The entire SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2 or MAIN PIVOT BAR 5 or SEAT PIVOT BAR 6 can vary in length, size, shape can be either shorter in length or longer with square, triangle or rounded corners.
  • i. RH/LH PUSH-TO-OPEN ROLLER LATCHES 11 can be positioned onto the MAIN PIVOT BAR 5 or independently installed to the SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2 horizontally, vertically or on an angle or anywhere else to complete the desired result of the operation of the latching/locking system. The sizes of various pieces of the present invention, the following as examples without limitation can be varied while still falling within scope of the present invention:
  • a. The alternative sizes of the RH/LH SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2, SEAT MOUNT BASE 1, COVER 10 and RH/LH LARGE GEARS 3 and RH/LH SMALL DRIVEN GEARs 4 can be increased in size by vertical or horizontal extension, shape, and COVER 14 that can accommodate.
  • b. The SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKETS 2, SEAT MOUNT BASE 1 and COVER 14 can be in many rectangular, square, round molded shapes to contour with the toilet tank or toilet basin or both.
  • c. All above mechanical components can be condensed into a smaller enclosure.
  • d. The RH/LH LIFT BAR(S) 8 can be vertically extended downward and underneath the toilet bowl basin and extended around the basin to the opposite side in any shape or form.

The arrangement of components can also be adjusted to slightly adjust the functioning of the present invention, while still falling within scope of the present invention. For example, a dual toilet seat and cover design, the LH/RH LIFT BARs 8 may be adjusted so as to nudge the cover downwardly instead of only the seat. When this is done, the seat can be manually nudged downwardly when desired.

Similarly, the lifting apparatus can be modified to actuate the COVER 14 alone, the shape of the RH LIFT BAR 8 being such that it projects between the cover and seat.

In some instances it has proved desirable to provide two lifter assemblies, one on each side of the toilet. One assembly is used to actuate the seat alone, and the other to actuate the cover alone.

Because of the novel form of construction wherein the seat and cover may be lifted independently of the mechanism, neither interferes with the action of the other and fully automatic operation even to the extent of lowering the cover is achieved.

One set of components for a preferred embodiment follows, as well as the assembly of that preferred embodiment:

ITEM #	PART NO.	QTY	DESCRIPTION	Material
1	0702201-P01	1	Seat Mount Base	ABS
2	0702201-P02	1	Shaft Support Bracket -	ABS
			RH
3	0702201-P03	2	Large Gear	Delrin
4	0702201-P04	2	Small Driven Gear	Delrin
5	0702201-P05	1	Main Pivot Bar	AISI 304
6	0702201-P06	1	Seat Pivot Bar	AISI 304
7	0702201-P07	1	Shaft Support Bracket -	ABS
			LH
8	0702201-P08	1	Lift Bar - RH	6061-T6
9	0702201-P09	1	Lever Pedal - RH	Glass Filled Nylon
10	0702201-P10	1	Cover	ABS
11	18785A61	2	Push-to-open Roller Latch	Brass-Plated Steel
12	6597K161	1	Rotary Speed Limiter -	Polycarbonate
			Clockwise (RH)
13	6597K163	1	Rotary Speed Limiter -	Polycarbonate
			Counterclockwise (LH)
14		1	Modified Toilet Seat	ABS
14.1	92314A115	4	18-8 Stainless Steel Hex
			Head Screws, 4-40 Thread
			Size, 1″ Long
15	90279A106	4	Steel Decorative Round
			Head Phillips Screws, 4-
			40 Thread Size, ¼″
			Long
16	90991A124	4	18-8 Stainless Steel
			Button Head Torx Screws,
			M4 × 0.70 mm Thread,
			16 mm Long
17	90128A376	2	Zinc-Plated Alloy Steel
			Socket Head Screw, ¼″-
			28 Thread Size, 1¼″ Long
18	95601A315	2	Electrical-Insulating Hard
			Fiber Washer, for ¼″
			Screw Size, 0.25″ ID,
			0.5″ OD, 0.028″-0.034″
			Thickness
19	18785A610	2	Brass-Plated Steel Push-
			to-Open Roller Latch
20	90086A146	6	Phillips Flat Head Thread-
			Cutting Screw for Metal,
			Zinc-Plated Steel,
			6-32 Thread, ⅜″ Long
21	96068A156	4	Flat Head Thread-Forming
			Screws, for Brittle Plastic,
			410 Stainless Steel,
			Number 6 Size, ⅝″ Long
22	96817A950	4	Thread-Forming Screws
			for Thin Plastic, 18-8
			Stainless Steel, M4
			Size, 8 mm Long

Modified Seat Lifting Device Assembly

Steps	Procedure	Item #	DESCRIPTION
1	Install modified seat to SEAT PIVOT	6	SEAT PIVOT BAR
	BAR by sliding into place
2	Install screws to fasten seat to SEAT	16	2 - 18-8 Stainless Steel Button Head
	PIVOT BAR and fasten into place		Torx Screws, M4 × 0.70 mm Thread,
			16 mm Long
3	Take MAIN PIVOT BAR and	5	MAIN PIVOT BAR
	continue to step 4
4	Take left and right large gears -	3	2 - Left and Right LARGE GEARS
	Install on main pivot bar and fix into
	place
5	Take seat pivot bar (with seat) and	4	2 - Left and Right SMALL DRIVEN
	install small left & right gears		GEARS
	Install rotary 2 speed limiters right &	12 &	2 Rotary Speed Limiters, Double Flat
	left of the seat pivot bar and fix into	13	Shaft, 31 in.-oz. Maximum Torque
	place (3)
6	Take LH SHAFT SUPPORT BKT	7	SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKET - LEFT
	and slide into both SEAT PIVOT and
	MAIN PIVOT BARS and fix into
	position
7	Take RH SHAFT SUPPORT BKT	2	SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKET -
	and slide into both SEAT PIVOT and		RIGHT
	MAIN PIVOT BARS (5&6) and fix
	into position
8	Take SEAT MOUNT BASE	1	1 - SEAT MOUNT BASE
	Install 4 screws into right side and	22	4 - Thread-Forming Screws for Thin
	left sides of RH & LH SHAFT		Plastic, 18-8 Stainless Steel, M4
	SUPPORT BKTs (7&2) onto SEAT		Size, 8 mm Long
	MOUNT BASE (1) to hold “rotary
	speed limiters” (12&13) and SEAT
	PIVOT AND MAIN PIVOT BAR
	(5&6) into place
9	Install left and right Push-to-open	11	2 - Brass-Plated Steel Push-to-Open
	Roller Latches (18785A61) to left		Roller Latches
	and right SHAFT SUPPORT
	BRACKETS
10	Install 4 Screws for Roller Latches to	12	4 18-8 Stainless Steel Hex Head
	fasten to right & left brackets (1&2)		Screws, 4-40 Thread Size, 1″ Long
11	Install LIFT BAR onto right side of	8	LIFT BAR
	MAIN PIVOT BAR
12	Install 1 Screw into the top portion of	21	1 - Flat Head Thread-Forming Screws,
	the LIFT BAR		for Brittle Plastic, 410 Stainless
			Steel, Number 6 Size, ⅝″ Long
13	Take LEVER PEDAL and apply to	9	1 - LEVER PEDAL
	opposite end of the LIFT BAR
14	Install 3 flat head screws to fasten	20	3 - Phillips Flat Head Thread-Cutting
	LEVER PEDAL to LIFT BAR (9&8)		Screw for Metal, Zinc-Plated Steel,
			6-32 Thread, ⅜″ Long
15	Install COVER over the seat mount	10	COVER
	brackets and harness.
16	Install COVER (10) screws to the	21	4 - Flat Head Thread-Forming Screws,
	mount brackets to affix into place		for Brittle Plastic, 410 Stainless
			Steel, Number 6 Size, ⅝″ Long
17	Install complete device onto toilet	18	2 - Electrical-Insulating Hard Fiber
	basin and apply 2 washers		Washer, for ¼″ Screw Size, 0.25″ ID,
	(95601A315)		0.5″ OD, 0.028″-0.034″ Thickness
18	Install 2 screws to base unit to toilet	16
	with screws and bolts. Adjust to fit

According to an example of the present specification, a toilet includes a toilet seat positioned on top of the toilet basin. A lifting device attached to the toilet seat may include: a structural base assembly including a main pivot bar in geared relation to a seat pivot bar where the seat pivot bar is pivotably connected to the toilet seat. The main pivot bar is in geared relation to a lift bar extending from the structural base assembly and terminating in a foot bar. Where upon a first actuation of the foot bar by a user, the toilet seat is moved to a vertical orientation from a horizontal orientation and locked into place by a locking means; and where upon a second actuation of the foot bar, the toilet seat is unlocked by the locking means and moveable from the vertical orientation back to the horizontal orientation at a rate determined by a speed limiter.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The toilet in which the structural base assembly further may include a plurality of support brackets. First left and right shaft support brackets may include first slots for engaging the main pivot bar; second left and right shaft support brackets may include second slots for engaging the seat pivot bar; third left and right shaft support brackets may include third slots for engaging the locking means; and fourth left and right shaft support brackets may include fourth slots for engaging the speed limiter. The toilet may include a shaped seat base plate with mounting slots for mounting the structural base assembly onto the toilet basin. The main pivot bar may include one or more large gears supported by the plurality of support brackets, the seat pivot bar may include one or more small gears supported by the plurality of support brackets, the speed limiter may include a first speed limiter and a second limiter, the lift bar may include one or more lift bars, and the foot bar may include one or more foot bars. Actuating the one or more foot bars downward connected to the main pivot bar rotates the one or more large gears counterclockwise simultaneously moving the one or more small gears connected to the seat pivot bar and moving the toilet seat clockwise upward to the vertical orientation. From the vertical orientation, the toilet seat is released by actuating the one or more lift bars downward connected to main pivot bar and connected to the one or more large gears rotating counterclockwise and unlocking the locking means and moving the one or more large gears clockwise and simultaneously moving connected the one or more small gears, the seat pivot bar and connected the toilet seat counterclockwise and downward to the horizontal orientation damped with the speed limiter. Actuating the lift bar downward 20°-25° engages the main pivot bar and the one or more large gears to rotate counterclockwise and, simultaneously, the seat pivot bar and the one or more small gears and the toilet seat to rotate clockwise. The locking means is one or more push-to-open roller latches that engages the one or more large gears and the main pivot bar mounted to plurality of support brackets and seat base plate, where upon first movement of the main pivot bar from the horizontal orientation to the vertical orientation to a past vertical orientation to engage the one or more latches into position, actuated downward by the one or more lift bars and where upon second movement from the vertical orientation to the past vertical orientation to disengage the one or more latches, actuated downward by the one or more lift bars. The one or more latches may include non-structural material. Each of the one or more foot bars may include: a tubular lever foot with a connector connecting to a right or a left side of the main pivot bar angled at 90° and angled 20° upward and 4°-7° to a left direction for semi-contouring of the toilet basin and, a lever pedal mount, mounted to a top of each foot bar at an opposite end that is angled 90°; and a lever pedal mounted to the lever pedal mount that is 3-6 distance from a floor. The first speed limiter is a clockwise rotary speed limiter and the second speed limiter is a counterclockwise rotary speed limiter may include non-structural material. The shaped seat base plate may include structural material. The plurality support brackets may include structural material. The main pivot bar may include non-structural material. The foot bar may include non-structural material. The toilet may include an assembly cover that may include non-structural material. The toilet seat can accommodate 16.5 to 18.5 sizes. The toilet may include a seat cover hinged to swing in a vertical direction about an axis may include with the toilet seat, and adapted to rest upon the toilet seat when the toilet seat is in the horizontal orientation, and may include a second lifting device to actuate the lifting of the toilet seat cover from the horizontal orientation to an orientation past vertical. The toilet may include a space to accommodate a latch to connect a wash bidet or auto-seat sanitizer.

One general aspect includes a lifting device for attaching to a toilet seat. The lifting device also includes a structural base assembly may include a main pivot bar in geared relation to a seat pivot bar where the seat pivot bar is pivotably connected to the toilet seat. The device also includes the main pivot bar in geared relation to a lift bar extending from the structural base assembly and terminating in a foot bar. The device also includes where upon a first actuation of the foot bar by a user, the toilet seat is moved to a vertical orientation from a horizontal orientation and locked into place by a locking means; and where upon a second actuation of the foot bar, the toilet seat is unlocked by the locking means and moveable from the vertical orientation back to the horizontal orientation at a rate determined by a speed limiter.

CONCLUSION

Various modifications and variations of the described systems and methods of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art or related fields are extended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A toilet comprising:

a toilet basin;

a toilet seat positioned on top of the toilet basin; and

a lifting device attached to the toilet seat comprising:

a structural base assembly comprising a main pivot bar in geared relation to a seat pivot bar wherein the seat pivot bar is pivotably connected to the toilet seat;

the main pivot bar in geared relation to a lift bar extending from the structural base assembly and terminating in one or more foot bars;

the structural base assembly further comprising a plurality of support brackets including:

first left and right shaft support brackets having first slots for engaging a main pivot bar;

second left and right shaft support brackets having second slots for engaging a seat pivot bar; third left and right shaft support brackets having third slots for engaging a locking means; and fourth left and right shaft support brackets having fourth slots for engaging a speed limiter; a shaped seat base plate with mounting slots for mounting the structural base assembly onto the toilet basin; the main pivot bar comprising one or more large gears supported by the support brackets; the seat pivot bar comprising one or more small gears supported by the support brackets; the speed limiter comprising a first speed limiter and a second speed limiter; wherein upon a first actuation of the one or more foot bars by a user, the toilet seat is moved to a vertical orientation from a horizontal orientation and locked into place by a locking means; and wherein upon a second actuation of the one or more foot bars, the toilet seat is unlocked by the locking means and moveable from the vertical orientation back to the horizontal orientation at a rate determined by the first and second speed limiters.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The toilet of claim 2 wherein actuating the one or more foot bars downward connected to the main pivot bar rotates the one or more large gears counterclockwise simultaneously moving the one or more small gears connected to the seat pivot bar and moving the toilet seat clockwise upward to the vertical orientation.

6. The toilet of claim 2 wherein, from the vertical orientation, the toilet seat is released by actuating the one or more lift bars downward connected to the main pivot bar and connected to the one or more large gears, rotating counterclockwise, and unlocking the locking means and moving the one or more large gears clockwise and simultaneously moving the one or more small gears, the seat pivot bar and the toilet seat counterclockwise and downward to the horizontal orientation damped with the speed limiter comprising a rotary speed limiter.

7. The toilet of claim 3 wherein actuating the lift bar downward 20° to 30° engages the main pivot bar and the one or more large gears to rotate counterclockwise and, simultaneously, the seat pivot bar and the one or more small gears and the toilet seat to rotate clockwise.

8. The toilet of claim 3 wherein the locking means is one or more push-to-open roller latches that engages the one or more large gears and the main pivot bar mounted to the plurality of support brackets and seat base plate, wherein upon first movement of the main pivot bar from the horizontal orientation to the vertical orientation to a past vertical orientation to engage the one or more latches into position, actuated downward by the one or more lift bars, and wherein upon second movement from the vertical orientation to the past vertical orientation to disengage the one or more latches, actuated downward by the one or more lift bars.

9. The toilet of claim 3 wherein each of the one or more foot bars comprises:

a tubular lever foot with a connector connecting to a right or a left side of the main pivot bar angled at 90° and angled 20° upward and 4°-7° to a left direction for semicontouring of the toilet basin and,

a lever pedal mount, mounted to a top of each foot bar at an opposite end that is angled 90°; and

a lever pedal mounted to the lever pedal mount that is 6 inches to 8 inches distance from a floor.

10. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of support brackets comprises structural material.

11. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the shaped seat base plate comprises structural material.

12. The toilet of claim 5, wherein the one or more latches comprises non-structural material.

13. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the main pivot bar comprises non-structural material.

14. The toilet of claim 3, wherein the first speed limiter is a clockwise rotary speed limiter and the second speed limiter is a counterclockwise rotary speed limiter comprising non-structural material.

15. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the foot bar comprises non-structural material.

16. The toilet of claim 1 further comprising an assembly cover that comprises non-structural material.

17. The toilet of claim 1 wherein the toilet seat can accommodate 16.5″ to 18.5″ sizes.

18. The toilet of claim 1 further comprising a seat cover hinged to swing in a vertical direction about an axis consistent with the toilet seat, and adapted to rest upon the toilet seat when the toilet seat is in the horizontal orientation, and comprising a second lifting device to actuate the lifting of the toilet seat cover from the horizontal orientation to an orientation past vertical.

19. The toilet of claim 1 further comprising a space to accommodate a latch to connect a wash bidet or auto-seat sanitizer.

20. A lifting device for attaching to a toilet seat comprising:

a structural base assembly comprising a main pivot bar in geared relation to a seat pivot bar wherein the seat pivot bar is pivotably connected to the toilet seat;

the main pivot bar in geared relation to a lift bar extending from the structural base assembly and terminating in a foot bar;

wherein upon a first actuation of the foot bar by a user, the toilet seat is moved to a vertical orientation from a horizontal orientation and locked into place by a locking means; and wherein upon a second actuation of the foot bar, the toilet seat is unlocked by the locking means and moveable from the vertical orientation back to the horizontal orientation at a rate determined by a speed limiter;

the structural base assembly further comprising a plurality of support brackets including:

first left and right shaft support brackets having first slots for engaging a main pivot bar;

second left and right shaft support brackets having second slots for engaging a seat pivot bar; third left and right shaft support brackets having third slots for engaging a locking means; and fourth left and right shaft support brackets having fourth slots for engaging a speed limiter; a shaped seat base plate with mounting slots for mounting the structural base assembly onto a toilet basin; the main pivot bar comprising one or more large gears supported by the support brackets; the seat pivot bar comprising one or more small gears supported by the support brackets; the speed limiter comprising a first speed limiter and a second speed limiter; a lift bar extending from the structural base assembly and terminating in one or more foot bars; wherein the main pivot bar is in geared relation to the seat pivot bar and to the lift bar.