Counterbalanced Or Spring Biased Patents (Class 4/241)
  • Patent number: 11202537
    Abstract: The invention discloses a toilet lid, a toilet seat, and a universal base; the toilet lid and the toilet seat are both hinged on the universal base, and the toilet lid is located above the toilet seat; the universal base is provided with spring component grooves, and the inside of the spring component groove is provided with a spring fixing plug; the spring fixing plug is provided with a spring; the toilet lid and the toilet seat are installed outside the spring component grooves through the spring fixing plugs; a spring buckle is installed inside the spring component groove, and the toilet lid and the toilet seat are fixed on the universal base. In the invention, high elastic springs are added to the two sides of the connecting device between the toilet lid and the toilet seat, so that it can automatically return to a standing posture after each use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Yiwu Yicubao Daily Necessities Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qien Wang
  • Patent number: 10791888
    Abstract: An automatic toilet seat and lid assembly for raising or lowering a toilet lid or a seat includes a base body. A seat and a toilet lid are hingedly coupled to the base body. The automatic toilet seat and lid assembly also includes a proximity sensor provided at the base body. The proximity sensor is configured to detect the presence of a user within a predetermined distance. The automatic toilet seat and lid assembly further includes a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the proximity sensor. Additionally, a motor is communicatively coupled to the microcontroller and a lever is operatively coupled to the motor and the seat and the toilet lid. The proximity sensor detects the presence of the user within the predetermined distance and transmits a signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller instructs the motor to operate the lever to raise the toilet lid or the seat or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Dilip Doctor
  • Patent number: 8819873
    Abstract: An ergonomic toilet seat raising and lowering device provides a hygienic, effective, and efficient system of lifting and closing a toilet seat with a low susceptibility of being contaminated with urine or fecal matter. The invention includes a lever, a rod and a counterweight positioned away from and behind other components of a common toilet. The invention may be used on toilets and seats with a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: John William Embler
  • Patent number: 8739321
    Abstract: An automatic toilet seat or lid moving apparatus includes a common toilet seat or lid having a torsion spring or other counterbalance means to counterbalance the weight of a toilet seat or lid, and a motor for raising and/or lowering the toilet seat or lid when desired. A control is utilized for signaling the motor to raise and/or lower the toilet seat or lid. Methods of using the same are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Steelhead Inventions, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Trout
  • Patent number: 8499368
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toilet system (1) for installation in a vehicle, wherein the toilet system comprises the following components indicated: namely a base (2) which is to be fixed to the vehicle and has a top wall portion, also a toilet bowl (3) which is borne by the top wall portion of the base and has a top peripheral portion preferably bearing a toilet-seat ring (6), further a sewage-retention tank (15) which, in the use position, is arranged, at least in part, beneath the top wall portion, and additionally a guiding, retaining and coupling device which is configured such that the user—preferably from the outside of the vehicle—can pull the correspondingly formed sewage-retention tank out of its use position, in which it can be connected in a liquid-tight manner to the outflow of the toilet bowl (3), remove it from the vehicle and then replace it in said use position, wherein the toilet system (1) is configured such that, even after the base has been fixed to the vehicle, it is possible to make a se
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Dometic GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Wunderlich, Volker Müller
  • Patent number: 8479323
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for toilet seats is provided which includes an easy accessible pull handle, connected to a mechanism associated with the seat that holds the seat in a vertical rest position. The handle is the only part that needs to be maneuvered by the toilet user when the user desires that the seat be in horizontal position. After using the seat in such horizontal position, the provided mechanism automatically moves the seat back up into the vertical rest position. This mechanism eliminates handling of potentially unsanitary toilet seats with hands. Thus, the handle is the only part which the person using the toilet is touching. Since the handle is positioned away from the seat and outside of the area where typically splashing occurs, an utmost sanitary and hygienic state is accomplished by the current invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan Blum
  • Patent number: 8214932
    Abstract: A self-closing toilet seat assembly includes a longitudinal hinge tube mounted in a cavity on the underside of a toilet lid in coaxial alignment with the hinge flanges thereof. The hinge tube is secured in hinged engagement with both the toilet lid and seat by means of a pair of slow-close hinge dampeners. A self-closing mechanism, in association with a mounting base attached to the bowl of a conventional toilet and to the underside of the hinge tube, is responsive to manual lifting of either the toilet lid itself or of both the toilet lid and the toilet seat to the open or vertical position for initiating closing rotation of the toilet lid and the toilet seat, if also upright, to the vertical tipping point, past which they continue to gravitationally rotate to the closed position, at a rate limited by the slow-close hinge dampeners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Smart Lid, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Shannon
  • Patent number: 8006323
    Abstract: A toilet has a seat. Two spaced members each have an upper end with an aperture. A pivot block has a bore. An axle has end sections and a central section. The end sections are received within the apertures. The central section is received within the bore. A housing is attached to the toilet and a coil spring around the axle. The coil spring has first and second ends. The first end is secured within the housing. The second end is in contact with the seat. The coil spring is adapted to urge the toilet seat from a lowered position to a raised position. A locking assembly includes upper and lower fingers. Each finger has a shoulder and a ramp. The upper finger extends downwardly from the toilet seat. The lower finger extends upwardly from the toilet seat. The lower finger is movable between a locking and an unlocking orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Greg A. Potter
  • Publication number: 20080178372
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a lifting mechanism for a seat of a toilet, where at least part of the mechanism may be concealed. The lifting mechanism may enable maintaining the toilet seat in a lifted position, where the seat is adjacent to the cover of the toilet and substantially perpendicular to the rim of the toilet bowl, for the improved comfort, convenience, and hygiene of a user. According to embodiments of the invention, the lifting mechanism may comprise at least one of: (i) toilet seat holders connected to the back interior parts of the seat and bowl of the toilet enabling to maintain the seat in a lifted position as long as no substantial weight is applied upon the seat (e.g. the user's body weight when sitting upon the seat); (ii) delay mechanism enabling to delay and slow down the momentum of the lifting of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Sara MATALON
  • Patent number: 7331067
    Abstract: A toilet seat lifting and lowering device for pivoting the seat to its raised position and for pivoting it back to its horizontal position without having to touch the seat. A first lever arm is rigidly attached at one end to a first part of a torque transfer mechanism and at its other end to a foot pedal and a second lever arm is rigidly attached at one end to a second part of the torque transfer mechanism and at its other end to the toilet seat. With the toilet seat in its horizontal position, a downward force on the pedal produces a rotation of the first part of the torque transfer mechanism which produces an opposite rotation of the second part of the torque transfer mechanism causing the toilet seat to pivot to its raised position. Lifting the pedal, preferably by providing an upward force under the pedal, lowers the seat to the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: NoTouch Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Pantos, Curtis Sword
  • Patent number: 7168106
    Abstract: A toilet seat lifter means is described, using a minimally simple lever and cam means with a counterweight balanced action arm. The device is adaptable to all standard toilets available today, an improved version of these inventor's prior invention. The new lifter offers a minimum number of moving parts and no springs or pulleys, is easier to manufacture and assemble, and possesses improvements to support the needs of disabled individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventors: William P. Pantos, Curtis Sword
  • Patent number: 6996858
    Abstract: A toilet seat apparatus includes a platform having upper and lower surfaces, a circular opening extending therethrough, an outer edge and an inner edge. Each of a pair of panels has a first end and a second end, and a first edge and a second edge. The panels are positioned on the platform. The first and second edges are arcuate such that the first edges may be aligned with the inner edge when the second edges are aligned with the outer edge. Each panel has top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of biasing members biases the panels upwardly away from the platform. Each biasing member extends between and is attached to the upper surface of the platform and the bottom surface of one of the panels. A plurality of guide members guides movement of the panels toward the outer edge of the platform as the panels move toward the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: James G. York
  • Patent number: 6934974
    Abstract: A toilet seat lifter means is described, using a minimally simple lever and gear means with a counterweight balanced action arm. The device is adaptable to all standard toilets available today and offers a minimum number of moving parts and no springs or pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventors: William P. Pantos, Curtis Sword
  • Patent number: 6851130
    Abstract: A new sanitary toilet seat apparatus for permitting a user to raise and lower a toilet seat without having to touch the toilet seat directly. The inventive device includes a toilet seat member which is pivotally coupled to a toilet bowl apparatus. At least one counterweight member is coupled to or extends outwardly from the back end of the toilet seat. A lid or cover member of for said toilet seat counterbalances the seat and is provided with a handle for ease of operation well away from the normal contamination areas of the toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Berring
  • Patent number: 6775858
    Abstract: A height adjustable toilet seat apparatus for disabled users includes a toilet seat having a hinged lid. The apparatus may be fixed to a toilet bowl or to a wheelchair and includes telescopic legs for supporting the toilet seat and lid at different heights. A lid opening mechanism is operated by a foot lever slidably connected to at least one of said legs. A catch is biased to a holding position for holding the lid in a rotated attitude and a foot peddle and handle are provided to release the catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Stuart Earl Crispin Miller
  • Patent number: 6763530
    Abstract: An auto-reversible toilet seat mounting structure is constructed to pivotally fasten a toilet seat to a bracket at the rear side of a toilet bowl for enabling the toilet seat to be turned relative to the toilet bowl between a vertical position and a horizontal position and automatically returned to the vertical position by means of circulation of steel balls between two chambers in each coupling device after each use of the toilet by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventors: Shou Chi Lu, Shieh Neng Lu
  • Patent number: 6510562
    Abstract: A toilet lifting apparatus in which a spring mechanism causes a toilet seat to rise after flushing of the toilet. The spring mechanism is controlled by a bolting device which is connected to the spring mechanism at one end and to a cable at another end so that upon flushing the cable moves the bolting mechanism thereby releasing the spring mechanism. The spring mechanism can vary its resiliency which in turn varies the speed by which the toilet seat rises from its seated position upon flushing. A urine guard is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: S. K. Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyong Sup Bae, Kee Sup Shim
  • Patent number: 6470502
    Abstract: An automatically raised toilet seat apparatus is provided. The toilet seat apparatus includes a toilet seat portion and a pair of box portions. The body of each box portion forms a closed space which contains a liquid and defines a plurality of tank compartments. Baffles separate at least some of the tank compartments. The liquid's adaptive distribution between tank compartments facilitates the toilet seat portion's gradual displacement between lowered raised positions, biasing the toilet seat portion to one of those positions. In certain cases, a pair of shallow holes and a pair of deep holes are formed into the toilet seat portion, for adjustably receiving the box portions, depending on the size of the given toilet's water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Shou Chi Lu
  • Patent number: 6240574
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically raising a toilet seat when the toilet is flushed includes a toilet tank pivotally mounted on the bowl and a spring connected between the toilet tank and seat. A weight is attached to the spring. When the toilet seat is manually lowered, the spring flips to the upward position and holds the seat down. When the toilet is flushed, the decreasing water level in the tank changes the center of gravity of the tank and causes it to pivot, thereby flexing the spring in the opposite direction, with the aid of an attached counterweight, and raising the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Nikolay Mayyak
  • Patent number: 6230335
    Abstract: A one-piece toilet seat hinge composed of an elastomeric material throughout, and having the characteristics of rubber, and including a flat flange member and a coplanar support shank, the flange member being designed to be connected to the toilet seat and the support shank being generally cylindrical in shape and externally threaded to facilitate mounting thereof within a cavity normally found on the toilet stool for connection of the seat thereto. The flange member has lower peripheral portions having sufficient memory to cause the toilet seat to swing from a horizontal orientation, upon release, to a vertically extending orientation, thereby obviating the likelihood of the seat being soiled by a subsequent male urinator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: David P. Miller
  • Patent number: 6081936
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for automatically raising and lowering a toilet seat including a sensor pad located to be stepped on only by a standing user. The toilet seat is counterbalanced, and a shifting of weight causes the seat to pivot up or down. Various weight shifting arrangements are described, including an electromechanical drive, a liquid transfer system, and a mechanical drive weight positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ronald D. Bargman
    Inventors: Ronald David Bargman, Ioslav Umanskly
  • Patent number: 6030039
    Abstract: The present invention therefore comprises a chair for supporting a person during sexual activity. The chair comprises a seat having an opening in the middle to permit access to a seated person's genitals or anus. The chair also comprises a rigid support frame for supporting the seat, and a flexible support system connected to the seat and the rigid support frame for suspending the seat from the rigid support frame. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible support system comprises a plurality of springs connected to the rigid support frame and the seat.In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the chair comprises the seat and flexible support system, which connects to the seat and to an existing rigid support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Kirk Gregory Essler
  • Patent number: 6012180
    Abstract: A pair of compound leaf springs are formed to hold a commode seat in the up position. The leaf springs have a primary curve for spring lifting power, a second curve to reduce friction between the seat and spring when the seat is lowered, and a third curve to act as a spring washer to hold the leaf spring in place between the seat and commode. By holding the seat in the up position unless a user wishes to lower it, the seat is less apt to be soiled when the commode is used for urination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Larry T Williams
  • Patent number: 6009568
    Abstract: An opening-closing device for a Western style toilet seat and seat cover is disclosed, in which a pair of hinge cases are mounted at a predetermined spacing at the rear upper end of a Western style toilet bowl; in either of the pair of hinge cases a rotating shaft for the seat and a rotating shaft for the seat cover are rotatably mounted; on the rotating shaft for the seat in either hinge case, the seat mounting section is rotatably mounted, and on the rotating shaft for the seat cover in the hinge case, the seat cover mounting section is rotatably mounted; and a rotation control mechanism is mounted on the rotating shaft for the seat and the rotating shaft for the seat cover, to thereby prevent sudden drop of the seat and seat cover, At this time, the rotation control mechanism may be a cam mechanism using a compression spring, a torsion spring, a rotation camper, or a friction mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kanetsugu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6000069
    Abstract: A compound torque hinge comprising a first rotating shaft to be mounted on the toilet bowl is rotatably mounted in the case body; the first rotation control mechanism comprising a cam mechanism with a compression spring on one side portion housed in the case body of the first rotating shaft is provided; a second rotation control mechanism comprising a rotation damper is juxtaposed in two stages within the case body in the upper or lower section of the first rotation control mechanism; a driving power transmitting means is mounted between the second rotation control mechanism and the first rotation control mechanism; and on the rotating shaft one of mounting sections of the toilet seat or seat cover is rotatably supported on a bearing, while the other is fixed so as to rotate together with the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Sorimachi
  • Patent number: 5940896
    Abstract: A new sanitary toilet seat apparatus for permitting a user to raise and lower a toilet seat without having to touch the toilet seat directly. The inventive device includes a toilet seat which is pivotally couplable to a toilet. At least one counterweight member is coupled to the back end of the toilet seat. A handle member is pivotally coupled to the counterweight member such that the upper end of the handle member upwardly extends from the counterweight member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Jeffrey J Berring
  • Patent number: 5898953
    Abstract: A Rising Seat that can be fixed permanently to a seat or toilet and which can also be readily adapted as a portable seat. It comprises a top rising section on which the user sits, pivoted to a bottom section. There is at least one torsion spring located on a torsion bar that may also act as a hinge. When the legs of any selected number of springs are placed in spaces/openings incorporated in the seat, those springs become inoperable having been moved away from firm surfaces on the rising seat against which they give resilience to the top section. This enables adjustment to be made to suit the weight of the user, and when the legs of all the springs are placed in the spaces/openings the top section can be folded down without resilience for carriage and storage and to give the appearance of a standard seat cushion when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: John B. Paxon
  • Patent number: 5896592
    Abstract: A toilet seat lifting device of very simple construction having substantially only three parts. Namely, an attachment bracket, an attachment rod, and a counter weight, which in combination with a pre-existing toilet seat, cooperate together to automatically lift and retain the toilet seat in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventors: Cathy D. Santa Cruz, Joseph John Francisco
  • Patent number: 5781938
    Abstract: A toilet seat lowering device provides for the automatic lowering of the seat of a toilet when the toilet has been flushed. A counterbalance arm extends generally rearwardly from the seat, and is offset to one side to clear the tank support and structure behind the bowl. The seat is substantially balanced by the arm, with the arm allowing the seat to lower slowly and gently to a lowered position, resting upon the rim of the bowl. The seat and arm are actuated by an actuating line which is removably connected to a float within the tank. The float may be a conventional tank float, or may be a specially adapted float installed within the tank in addition to the conventional tank float. When the float descends as the water level in the tank drops when the toilet is flushed, the actuating line is drawn downwardly by the descending float, thereby drawing the counterbalance arm upwardly to cause the seat to lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Eric A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5754985
    Abstract: Apparatus for raising and lowering a pivoting toilet member mounted on top of a toilet bowl that is part of a flushing toilet equipped with a water tank. Apparatus includes first and second weights, the first weight being connectible to the toilet member and provided to raise the toilet member, the second weight being adapted for mounting in the water tank and provided to lower the toilet member. The second weight is connected to the toilet member by a connecting mechanism which includes an elongate, flexible member capable of extending from the second weight inside the water tank to a connecting point outside the water tank. A holding mechanism releasably holds the connecting mechanism, which prevents the toilet member from pivoting from a lowered position to a raised position until the holding mechanism is disengaged. If the toilet member is in a raised position when the toilet is flushed, the toilet member will move to its lowered position due to downward movement of said second weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Arnaldo Das Neves Dias
  • Patent number: 5642532
    Abstract: A commode seat raising mechanism including a commode seat; a biasing mechanism in connection between a top wall of a commode and the commode seat for biasing the commode seat in an upright position; and a dampening mechanism in connection between the commode seat and the biasing mechanism for adjusting the rate at which the commode seat is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Stephen P. Morant
  • Patent number: 5461734
    Abstract: A toilet seat assembly for automatically closing a toilet seat includes a mount for attachment of the toilet seat to a conventional toilet bowl. The toilet seat is rotatably connected to the mount for movement between a first upright position and a lowered position. A chamber containing a movable mass is associated with the toilet seat. The mass moves in response to the force of gravity resulting in the movement of the center of gravity of the toilet seat from a first non-closing position to a second closing position causing the toilet seat to automatically close. The toilet seat assembly includes a connection of the toilet seat to the mount constructed and arranged to prevent rotation of the toilet seat about the mount to selectively maintain the toilet seat in a second upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: D. Michael Faircloth
  • Patent number: 5437063
    Abstract: A automatic toilet seat apparatus for raising a toilet seat to an upward position until the seat is need again. Having the toilet seat in a upward position helps to keep the top surface of the toilet seat from getting contaminated. In this particular embodiment, a lever arm, a counter weight, a pivot rod, and snap locking means are provided for raising a toilet seat. When the seat is manually lowered, the snap locking means secures the seat in the lowered position. When the toilet handle is pulled to flush the toilet, a cable is engaged releasing the snap locking means. The seat automatically raises to the upward position via a counter weight and lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Charles E. Cotham
  • Patent number: 5435017
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically but delayedly lifting a toilet seat has a positioning base, a lifting weight and an L-shaped lifting rod. The positioning base is adapted to be firmly secured onto a toilet and includes a short shaft laterally extending therefrom. The lifting weight is a hollow housing including a fore-portion, a mid-portion and a post-portion. The fore-portion is formed with a transverse shaft hole for the short shaft of the positioning base. The mid-portion is formed with a front chamber, and the post-portion is formed with an upper and a lower chamber for containing water or other fluid to create a fluid weight effect. The L-shaped lifting rod is attached at one end to the free end of the fore-portion of the lifting weight and the opposite free end thereof is adapted to inserted between the toilet seat and the toilet. Water can flow among the front, upper and lower chambers to change the lifting torque, so that the toilet seat can be automatically but delayedly lifted by its weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Chien-Pang Pan
  • Patent number: 5414876
    Abstract: In a toilet seat and bowl assembly in which the seat rises hydraulically, a toilet bowl has an open-topped seat-receiving portion at one end, an inlet for flushing water at an opposite end and above the seat-receiving portion, a positioning base having a transverse through opening, and a passage for the flushing water from the inlet into the toilet bowl under the seat-receiving portion for flushing the flushing water through the opening, the passage having an upwardly facing, curved bottom surface. A toilet seat apparatus has a toilet seat at one end and a cup connected to the seat by a handle at an opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Chien-Pang Pan
  • Patent number: 5394570
    Abstract: A toilet seat ring automatic raising structure includes a pair of actuating legs with appropriate weight for lifting up the seat ring automatically. The actuating legs have magnetic rods which are attracted to the iron cones in an electromagnetic device so that the seat ring can be securely held in place. The releasing of the magnetic force is used to lift up the seat ring automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Tzong P. Tzang
  • Patent number: 5341518
    Abstract: A commode seat and lift structure include a central axle directed therethrough, with a pair of springs interposed between the commode seat and commode to effect biasing of the seat in a lifting orientation relative to the commode. The springs each include an adjuster plate and an adjuster rod threaded through the plate. The adjuster rod includes a mounting plate secured to the commode bowl to adjust the spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: James R. Uhl
  • Patent number: 5291618
    Abstract: An automatic toilet seat lift mechanism including torsional springs to retain the toilet seat in the vertical position, a rod inserted in a rubber bushing in a hole on the toilet bowl with its bottom end coupled to a gate in front of the water outlet of the flush pipe and its top end stopped against a stop plate on the toilet seat, whereby the rod stops against the stop plate at the bottom to hold the toilet seat in the horizontal position covered on the toilet bowl; flushing the toilet causes the rod to release the stop plate for permitting the toilet seat to be lifted to the vertical position by the torsional springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Yueh-Tse Chiang
  • Patent number: 5243738
    Abstract: A hinge for a vehicle deck lid includes a housing, a pivot pin mounted therein, a hinge arm mounted on the pivot pin, a lift spring to bias the hinge arm toward an open position and thereby counterbalance the weight of the deck lid, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tension in the lift spring. The adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism made up of pawls on the pivot pin and catches on the housing that allows one-way rotation of the pivot pin to more tightly wind the lift spring. The ratchet mechanism further includes a bias spring that biases the pawls and catches into engagement, the bias spring having a tension that can be overcome to release the ratchet mechanism and release the tension in the lift spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: RAN Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James Kiefer
  • Patent number: 5177818
    Abstract: A toilet-seat flush-valve operating mechanism comprises two systems, a toilet-seat lifting system and a flush-valve opening system, both employing the fluid pressure as a source of power. A hydraulic cylinder having on the bottom a water inlet is mounted inside a toilet cistern. When a piston-cum-static weight located inside the cylinder moves under water pressure and reaches a position at the upper end of the cylinder, the toilet seat descends and covers the toilet bowl. This piston-cum-static weight, that is, the weight of the static weight, falls down under its own weight to the position at the lower end of the cylinder and, by means of a connecting unit, lifts up the toilet seat. Due to the piston-cum-static weight, which is in balance with and slightly heavier than the toilet seat, relatively low water pressure is sufficient to push the piston-cum-static weight to move upwardly, thus permitting the toilet seat to descend under its own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Inventor: Wei C. Tsai
  • Patent number: 5138724
    Abstract: An apparatus has a housing being attached on a rear portion of a toilet seat which is pivotally mounted to a toilet bowl. The housing has a front portion deposited in front of a pivot axis of the toilet seat and an upper and lower chamber deposited behind the pivot axis. The front portion and the upper and lower chambers communicating with each other to allow liquid to flow therein to delay and actuate a rising movement of the toilet seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventors: Fong N. Chien, Chun L. Ou
  • Patent number: 5020165
    Abstract: An apparatus for raising a toilet seat comprising a bucket which revolves around a bar by receiving water imparted from a flush pipe by an inlet pipe, and then drives a weight mechanism by pushing a pin on a second tube with a first L-shape pin on a first tube, both tubes of which rotate on the bar and one of which connects with the bucket by a pair of rods, the weight mechanism abutting a pin on the bar by a second L-shape pin which rotates and raises the toilet seat by turning the bar which is fixed to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Clark Huang
  • Patent number: 4985939
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hinge assembly comprising a housing adapted to engage a toilet bowl and comprising an internal cavity including a bottom opening, and a cylindrical bearing surface having a horizontally extending axis, a hinge member supported by the bearing surface for rotation about the axis and including a hinge pin extending co-axially with the cylindrical portion and outwardly of the housing and adapted to be fixedly engaged with a toilet seat to effect toilet set rotation in common with rotation of the hinge member about the axis, an elongated actuating link extending into cavity in the housing through the bottom opening and including an upper end a lower stud portion having a lower threaded part, and an upper end connected to the hinge member for effecting rotation of the hinge member in response to link movement in the direction of link elongation, a nut adjustably threaded on the threaded lower part of the stud portion, and a helical spring located in encircling relation to the stud portion and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Otte
  • Patent number: 4984666
    Abstract: Braking of independently-movable pivotable members is carried out by independent one-way clutch mechanisms which provide minimal braking force to the pivotable members in the vicinity of the limit points of their pivotable movement, and provide optimal braking force in a middle range of pivotable movement. The braking mechanism provided may operate on one or both of the pivotable members at the same time, each of the independent clutch mechanisms providing suitable braking force to compensate for the mass of the respective pivotable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Makoto Orii, Hiroyuki Iwashita
  • Patent number: 4428083
    Abstract: An automatic lavatory seat comprises a mounting seat secured to the lavatory pan, a lavatory seat connected with said mounting seat by means of a pivot pin, a coil spring around said pivot pin for raising said lavatory seat, a plunger secured at one of two opposite sides constituted by said lavatory seat and said mounting seat while a flexible hose is secured at the other, and a pneumetic valve at one end of said flexible hose, being characterized in that on removal of the load upon said lavatory seat, said flexible hose with said plunger fitted therein will resist the force exerted by said coil spring, thus producing a time lag in the return movement of said lavatory seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Inventor: Po L. Chuang