US20080127404A1

US20080127404A1 - H20 Lift Toilet Seat Lifter

Info

Publication number: US20080127404A1
Application number: US11/568,309
Authority: US
Inventors: Johannes Gideon Francois Kruger; Mark Anthony Dercksen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-26
Filing date: 2005-02-25
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Also published as: EP1773169A1; AU2005234805A1; CN1997307A; NO20065419L; WO2005102136A1; WO2005102136B1; BRPI0509431A; ZA200608949B; JP2007534452A; MXPA06012503A; IL178841A0; CA2565027A1

Abstract

The invention provides a foot operated toilet seat lifter which may be easily installed on a toilet. The universal bracket with a retained cylinder and piston is mounted to the toilet bowl by using the existing toilet seat fasteners. The toilet seat lifter is activated by applying foot pressure to the foot pedal, which in turn opens a valve to supply water pressure from the existing toilet water supply to the cylinder and piston.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to toilets and more specifically to a toilet seat lifting mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A need exists to overcome the following problems relating to toilet seats:

- 1. Touching a toilet seat.
- 2. The toilet seat being left up.
- 3. Sitting on a wet or sticky seat.
- 4. Sitting on a toilet with the seat being up.
- 5. Suffering of urine retention.
- 6. The sight of spills on a toilet seat.
- 7. The slamming of the seat up or down.
- 8. Having to hold the seat up while urinating.
- 9. Reaching for the seat in the dark.
- 10. Bending down to lift the seat with a bad back.
- 11. Unnecessary arguments about your toilet seat.
- 12. The lid being left open.
- 13. The safety risk of a slamming seat.

The invention solves the above problems and adds the following benefits:

- 1. Hygiene
- 2. Convenience
- 3. Comfort
- 4. Practical
- 5. Safety
- 6. Health
- 7. Smooth action
- 8. Aesthetics (good looking)
- 9. Ease of use
- 10. Hands free
- 11. Affordable
- 12. Easy installation
- 13. Durable
- 14. Non-electrical, non-mechanical, no maintenance.

The main use of the invention is the convenient and hygienic lifting of a toilet seat and to ensure that the seat always returns to the down position.
The toilet seat lifter has a wide general public and household application where men and women are both users of the same facilities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A hydraulic toilet seat lifter for raising a toilet seat and lid.
The invention provides a foot operated toilet seat lifter which may be easily installed on a toilet.
The toilet seat lifter includes a bracket with slots for attaching the bracket to the toilet bowl.
The universal bracket with a retained cylinder and piston is mounted to the toilet bowl by using the existing toilet seat fasteners.
The toilet seat lifter is operated with a foot pedal.
The toilet seat lifter is activated by applying foot pressure to the foot pedal, which in turn opens a valve to supply water pressure from the existing toilet water supply to the cylinder and piston.
The cylinder and piston acts upon the pressure and pushes a lifter arm, which in turn lifts the seat and lid.
Upon releasing pressure from the foot pedal, the valve is closed and the pressure to the cylinder and piston is cut off.
The valve, in deactivated state, opens a connection between the cylinder and a release spout which is contained in the bowl bracket.
Water in the cylinder is forced out to the release spout by means of the of the seat weight gravity and released in the toilet bowl while the seat and lid returns to its down position.
With obstruction of the lifting action, the cylinder unclips downwards from the bracket to prevent any injuries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In accordance with the invention:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a toilet seat lifter installed on a toilet.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the toilet seat lifter components.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the bracket assembly of the toilet seat lifter.

FIG. 4 shows the tubing connections between the foot pedal valve, the cylinder retained in bracket assembly and the T-connector which connects to the water supply line.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the foot pedal valve.

FIG. 6 shows the operation of the foot pedal valve.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the T-connector which connects to the water supply line.

FIG. 8 shows the installation of the toilet seat lifter on a toilet.

The toilet seat lifter includes the following components pointed out as numbers shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2:

- 1. Bowl bracket for attachment to the toilet and retaining the cylinder (5) and spout (2).
- 2. Spout for releasing water from the cylinder (5).
- 3. Lifter arm, connected to piston rod (4) to raise the toilet seat.
- 4. Piston rod pushing the lifter arm (3) when pressure is applied to the cylinder (5).
- 5. Cylinder and piston acting on pressure to actuate the lifting action.
- 6. Tubing for connecting the foot pedal valve (9) to the T-connector (7), outlet spout (2) and cylinder (5).
- 7. T-connector for connecting the toilet water supply to the toilet seat lifter.
- 8. Hose to contain the tubing connected to the foot pedal valve (9).
- 9. Foot pedal valve for connecting the water supply line to the cylinder (5) on applying foot pressure and to connect the cylinder (5) to the outlet spout(2) on releasing foot pressure.
- 10. Slots in bowl bracket (1) for attaching the bracket by using the existing toilet seat fasteners.

With reference the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
The seat lifter is installed by loosening each fastener which retains the toilet seat assembly against the toilet bowl. The bowl bracket (1) is slotted in between each fastener and the toilet bowl.
Each bowl bracket slot (10) is slotted around a single toilet seat fastener.
The lifter arm (3) must be below the toilet seat.
The fasteners are tightened and the seat lifter is retained in place.
The water supply valve to the toilet is closed before connecting the T-connector (7)
The existing water supply pipe to the toilet is disconnected and the T-connector (7) is connected to fit between the water supply valve and the pipe connected to the toilet water intake.
The foot pedal valve (9) may be located wherever the user desires within the limits of the length of hose (8) attached to it.
On applying pressure to the foot pedal valve (9) the valve opens the water supply from the T-connector (7) to the cylinder (5).
The water pressure connected to the cylinder (5) acts on the piston in the cylinder and pushes the piston rod (4) outwards from the cylinder (5).
The piston rod (4) which is attached to the lifter ann(3) pushes the lifter arm.
The lifter arm (3) in turn pushes the toilet seat upwards until the piston reaches the top of the cylinder (5).
On releasing pressure from the foot pedal valve (9) the valve closes the water supply from the T-connector (7) to the cylinder (5), and opens a connection between the cylinder (5) and the outlet spout(2).
The seat weight applies gravity pressure on the piston rod (4) and causes the piston to force the water out of the cylinder (5) through the foot pedal valve (9) to the outlet spout (2). The water is drained into the toilet bowl through the spout (2).
As the water drains out of the cylinder (5) the piston rod (4) moves back into the cylinder (5) causing the lifter arm (3) and the toilet seat to lower to the home position on the toilet bowl.
Both the toilet seat and lid can be lifted and lowered with the above action.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Each of the toilet seat lifter components, as shown in FIG. 2 will now be described in detail referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8.
1. Bowl Bracket. (Particularly FIG. 3)
The main purpose of the bowl bracket (1) is to attach the toilet seat lifter to the toilet bowl with easy installation.
The bracket slots (10) provides an easy way of sliding the bowl bracket in between the existing toilet seat fasteners without removing the fasteners.
The seat lifter is installed by loosening each fastener which retains the toilet seat assembly against the toilet bowl. FIG. 8 (4)
FIG. 8 (5) shows how the bowl bracket (1) is slotted in between each fastener and the toilet bowl. Each bracket slot (10) is slotted around a single toilet seat fastener.
The lifter arm (3) must be below the toilet seat. FIG. 8 (5)
The fasteners are tightened and the seat lifter is retained in place. FIG. 8 (6)
The bowl bracket (1) provides support for the attachment of the lifter arm (3) with a dowel.
The bowl bracket (1) provides a spout support (1 c) to the outlet spout (2).
The spout (2) position may be adjusted by sliding it in or out of the spout support (1 c).
The bowl bracket (1) provides a pivot slot support (1 b) for the piston and cylinder (5).
The pivot slots (1 b) is taper with a round swivel point to provide a clip in support to the cylinder top (5 a). The cylinder top (5 a) has two cylindrical extensions on both sides which slides into the pivot slots (1 b) and clips into the round pivot point at the end of the slot.
The bowl bracket (1) provides a support for attaching the hose (8) to the bracket (1).
2. Spout. (Particularly FIG. 3)
The spout serves as an outlet to drain the water from the cylinder (5). The spout is connected to a tube running through the hose (8) to the foot pedal valve (9).
Water in the cylinder (5) is drained through the valve to the outlet spout (2) as shown in FIG. 6 (2).
3. Lifter Arm. (Particularly FIG. 3)
The lifter arm (3) is attached to the bracket dowel support (1 a) with a dowel (3 a).
The lifter arm (3) is attached to the piston rod (4) by means of a clip (4 a).
FIG. 8 (7) shows the attachment of the piston rod to the lifter arm.
The piston (4 b) acts on pressure applied to the cylinder (5 b) and push the piston rod (4) outwards from the cylinder (5 b). The piston rod (4) pushes the lifter arm (3) and in turn pushes the toilet seat upwards until the piston reaches the top of the cylinder (5 b).
The lifter arm (3) swivels at the bracket dowel support (1 a) where it is attached to the bracket (1), moving in a radius when pushing the toilet seat.
4. Piston Rod. (Particularly FIG. 3)
The piston rod (4) is attached to the piston (4 b) on the one end and to the piston rod clip (4 a) on the other end. The piston rod (4) serves as the support connection between the piston (4 b) and the lifter arm (3). Movement of the piston (4 b) is directly transferred to the lifter arm (3) by means of the piston rod (4).
5. Piston and Cylinder. (Particularly FIG. 3)
The cylinder (5 b) is connected to a tube running through the hose (8) to the foot pedal valve (9). The activation of the foot pedal valve as shown in FIG. 6 (1) connects the water supply line to the cylinder (5 b). The water pressure acts on the piston (4 b) and pushes it upwards in the cylinder unit it reaches the cylinder top (5 a). The piston rod (4) attached to the piston (4 b) now pushes the lifter arm (3), which in turn pushes the toilet seat, enabling the complete toilet seat lifting action.
6. Tubing. (Particularly FIG. 4)
There are three tubes connected to the ports of the foot pedal valve (9 h) as shown in FIG. 4.
One tube is connected to port 9 h 1 of the foot pedal valve (9 h) with the other end connected to the T-connector (7) which is connected to the water supply line.
One tube is connected to port 9 h 2 of the foot pedal valve (9 h) with the other end connected to the cylinder (5).
One tube is connected to port 9 h 3 of the foot pedal valve (9 h) with the other end connected to the outlet spout (2).
All three of the tubes are encapsulated in a hose (8) running from the foot pedal (9) to the bowl bracket (1) as shown in FIG. 2.
7. T-Connector. (Particularly FIG. 7)
The T-connector provides an easy connection to the existing toilet water supply line.
The water supply valve to the toilet is closed before connecting the T-connector (7) as shown in FIG. 8(1).
The existing water supply pipe to the toilet is disconnected as shown in FIG. 8 (2).
The T-connector (7) is connected to fit between the water supply valve and the pipe connected to the toilet water intake as shown in FIG. 8 (3).
The T-connector (7) has standard thread on the connector body (7 c) and the connector nut (7 h) to accommodate most toilet water supply fittings.
The T-connector (7) has a water filter (7 b) to eliminate dirt entering the seat lifter system.
A tube is connected to the barbed fitting (7 d) running to the foot pedal valve (FIG. 4 (7)).
8. Hose Containing Tubing. (Particularly FIG. 2)
A hose is used to encapsulate the tubing running from the foot pedal valve (9) to the bowl bracket (1).
This hose serves as protection for the tubing and to enhance the aesthetic appearance.
FIG. 3 (8) and FIG. 5 (8) shows the connection of the hose to the bowl bracket (1) and the foot pedal valve (9) respectively.
9. Foot Pedal Valve. (Particularly FIG. 5)
The foot pedal valve (9) serves as an actuator for the seat lifting action.
The pedal cover (9 a) is attached to the pedal base (9 b) by means of a dowel (9 c).
A non slip grip (9 d) is attached to the bottom of the pedal base (9 b) to prevent the pedal from moving when stepping on it.
When foot pressure is applied to the pedal cover (9 a), the pressure is transferred to the valve piston (9 i) which moves down in the sleeve of the valve body (9 h).
Referring now in particular to FIG. 6:
The valve is in activated state when pressure is applied to the valve piston (9 i).
The valve connects port (9 h 1) to port (9 h 2), allowing water to flow from the T-connector (FIG. 4 (7) to the cylinder (FIG. 4 (5), causing the lifting action of the seat lifter.
The valve is in activated (1) state when foot pressure is applied to the valve piston (9 i).
The valve connects port (9 h 1) to port (9 h 2), allowing water to flow from the T-connector (FIG. 4 (7)) to the cylinder (FIG. 4 (5)), causing the lifting action of the seat lifter.
The valve is in deactivated (2) state when foot pressure is released from the valve piston (9 i).
The valve connects port (9 h 2) to port (9 h 3), allowing water to drain from the cylinder (FIG. 4 (5)) to the outlet spout (FIG. 4 (2)), causing the lowering action of the seat lifter.
The O-rings (9 j 1 and 9 j 2) serves as valve seals.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A hydraulic toilet seat lifter which comprises:

a T-connector (7) for connection to an existing water supply line,

a universal slotted bracket (1) with a retained cylinder (5), piston (4) and lifting arm (3),

the bracket (1) being adapted to be mounted to the toilet bowl by using the existing toilet seat fasteners,

a foot pedal (9) containing a valve with three ports, namely:

a water supply input port, which is connected by tubing to the T-connector (7),

an outlet port, which is connected by tubing to the cylinder and piston (5), and

a release port, which is connected by tubing to an outlet spout (2) which is contained in the bowl bracket (1),

adapted so that upon activation of the foot pedal valve (9), the water supply input port is connected to the outlet port and upon deactivation of the foot pedal valve (9), the outlet port is connected to the release port and a hose containing the three tubes running from the foot pedal valve (9) to the bowl bracket (1).