GB2348214A - Lifting/lowering device for a toilet seat - Google Patents

Abstract

A lifting/lowering device for a toilet seat (A) comprises a plate (H) that connects the seat to the toilet bowl and a mechanical linkage that connects the plate to a foot pedal (E). When the pedal is depressed, the mechanical linkage acts on the plate to lift the seat.

Description

Convenient Toilet Seat We are becoming more aware of how important hygiene is to our health. Without this invention there remains a major hygiene problem for people using the kind of toilet commonly found in Western homes. If a person wishes to raise the toilet seat or lower it, he must touch it with his hand which may mean that his hand becomes contaminated with bacteria which cause disease. By contrast if the Convenient Toilet Seat is used, a person can lift and lower it without touching it.

Also there are complaints about the seat not being lifted when it should be. Then again there are complaints about the seat not being lowered when it should be. By contrast if this invention is used it is difficult for a standing male urinating into the toilet bowl not to lift the seat and also it is difficult for him to leave without lowering the seat.

The essential feature of this invention is the lifting and lowering of a toilet seat by mechanical means. An important feature is that the mechanics are operated by means of a pedal located at floor level in front of the toilet bowl.

An example of this invention is explained below by reference to the Figures 1 to 11.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a toilet bowl with the seat lowered. It shows the position of the vertical sections shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of a toilet bowl with the seat lowered. It shows the position of the horizontal sections shown in Figures 7 and 8 and the vertical section shown in Figure 6.

Figure 3 is a labeled version of a side elevation with the seat (A) raised, the lever and bolt casing (B), the water inlet (C) and the waste outlet (D), the depressed pedal (E) close to the base of the toilet bowl (F), the vertical lever that lifts the toilet seat (G), the cantilevered plate that attaches the seat to the toilet bowl (H), the rod that acts as the fulcrum (1), the horizontal lever (M), the joint (K) at which G is connected to M, and the joint (L) at which M is attached to the toilet bowl (F).

Figure 4 is exactly like Figure 3 except that the seat (A) is down and the pedal (E) is up.

Figure 5 is a vertical section showing how the vertical lever (G) can move inside the casing (B) to occupy two positions. It occupies the higher position when the pedal is depressed and the seat is raised to an angle of 85 degrees with the toilet bowl (F). It occupies the lower position when the seat is raised to an angle of 90 degrees with the toilet bowl (F). At this angle it is lockec in position and does not fall down when the pedal is released. It also shows the water inlet (C), the cantilevered plate (H) attaching the lever and rod casing (B), which holds the seat (A) to the toilet bowl (F).

A section of plate H is also inset.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of point L. It shows how lever (M) is attached to the toilet bowl (F) by means of a right-angled fixing (J). J penetrates M and is held in place by nut and washer (T). J also fits into a channel (V) in the toilet bowl (F) and is held in place by a screw (S) which is screwed into the floor Figure 7 is a horizontal section showing lever (G) rising vertically on both sides at the back of the toilet bowl through plate (H) which is attached to the toilet bowl (F) by means of two bolts (W) and two nuts (Y) for which vertical sections are shown.

Figure 8 is a horizontal section exposing the pedal (E) and showing the point (L) at which M is attached to the toilet bowl (F) and the joint (K) at which vertical lever (G) is connected to horizontal lever (M).

Figure 9 is a plan view of point L. It shows how the horizontal lever (M) is attached to the toilet bowl (F) by means of the fixing (J). Fixing (J) is attached to horizontal lever (M) by nut and washer (T) and to the floor by screw (S) which passes through a channel (V) in the toilet bowl (F).

Figure 10 is a vertical section showing joint K. It shows how the right angled vertical lever (G) penetrates the horizontal lever (M) and is held in place by means of a nut and washer (T) Figure 11 shows the seat (A) raised, the vertical lever (G) inside the casing (B) which is attached to the seat (A) by means of three screws (U). The inset shows a vertical section of vertical lever (G) and a plan view of plate B.

How the Convenient Toilet Seat works : Depressing the pedal (E) lowers the horizontal lever (M) at the end attached to the pedal, and raises it at the other end, the end attached to the vertical lever (G).'rhis raises the vertical lever (G) which is attached by the casing (B) to the toilet seat (A).

So raising vertical lever (G) raises casing (B) and the seat (A) attached to it.

The casing (B) and seat (A) are attached to the toilet as follows : a plate (H) is cantilevered from the toilet bowl (F); a rod (I) passes through the casing (B) and through a channel in the plate (H). The casing (B) with attached (A) pivots at rod (I).

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. A seat including a means of lifting and lowering the seat without touching it.
2. 2. A seat as claimed in Claim 1 where the means of lifting and lowering the seat includes a pedal at floor level.
3. 3. A seat attached to a pedestal by a plate cantilevered from the pedestal and a rod acting as a fulcrum and running through this plate and the seat.
4. 4. A seat as claimed in Claim 3 attached to a lever that is attached to the floor on which the pedestal stands as well as to the pedestal.
5. 5. A seat as claimed in Claim 3 and 4 where the lever is attached to a pedal.
6. 6. A seat as claimed in Claim 3,4, and 5 where the pedal can be depressed by vertical pressure.
7. 7. A seat substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.