US20100083431A1 - Toilet seat lifting apparatus - Google Patents
Toilet seat lifting apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100083431A1 US20100083431A1 US12/530,831 US53083107A US2010083431A1 US 20100083431 A1 US20100083431 A1 US 20100083431A1 US 53083107 A US53083107 A US 53083107A US 2010083431 A1 US2010083431 A1 US 2010083431A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- lid
- lifting
- drive
- accordance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K13/00—Seats or covers for all kinds of closets
- A47K13/10—Devices for raising and lowering, e.g. tilting or lifting mechanisms; Collapsible or rotating seats or covers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to apparatus for lifting the seat and lid of a toilet. It has been recognised previously that, due to the potential unhygienic nature of toilet seats and lids, a method of lifting the seat and lid without requiring physical contact may be beneficial. While attempts have been made to produce such devices, they have not gained particularly wide acceptance in many areas due to a number of reasons. For example, power must generally be provided to drive the seat and lid up and down and overly complex systems result in an increase in cost to an item that would otherwise be relatively inexpensive. For many consumers, the issue of needing to make contact with a potentially unhygienic toilet seat is simply not of sufficient importance to justify the additional cost and effort to install such a device.
- the present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous devices provided for lifting the seat and lid of a toilet.
- apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly the seat and lid being pivotally mounted for rotation about a base
- the apparatus includes:
- the first hinge portion comprises a first hollow cylindrical member
- the second hinge portion comprises a second hollow cylindrical member
- the drive means engages inside adjacent open ends of the first and second hollow cylindrical members.
- the drive means preferably comprises a cylindrical drive housing into which is received a first drive motor and a second drive motor, the first and second drive motors having drive shafts extending in opposite directions along the central axis of the cylindrical drive housing.
- the first and second drive shafts may each include gears that extend through apertures in the drive housing and engage with inner surfaces of the first and second hollow cylindrical members respectively.
- the base preferably includes a mounting portion comprising a first end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the first hinge portion, a second end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the second end portion and a central portion having a cradle into which is received the drive housing.
- Slots may be provided in the first and second cylindrical members, into which are received arcuate securing clips which engage with the drive housing to prevent disengagement of the first and second hollow cylindrical members from the drive housing.
- the base portion includes a battery housing for batteries to power the drive means, the battery housing being located parallel to and behind the mounting portion such that the battery housing is accessible when the seat and lid are both closed.
- a spring bias mean is provided in engagement with the seat and lid to provide a rotational force in the direction of opening to the lid and seat.
- the spring bias means may comprise a first coil spring in the first hollow cylindrical member and a second coil spring in the second hollow cylindrical member.
- a control means is provided to control operation of the drive means.
- the control means may include a control panel having a transmitter and the drive means include a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter in the control panel such that the drive means can either raise or lower either the seat or lid or both.
- the control panel includes a sensor to detect motion such that motion detected by the sensor is used to control operation of the drive means.
- FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of a toilet seat and lid assembly and drive means in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a fully exploded view of the toilet seat and lid assembly and drive means of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the toilet seat and lid assembly of FIG. 1 assembled.
- FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the toilet seat and lid of FIG. 1 assembled.
- the seat and lid assembly includes a toilet seat 12 and a lid 14 .
- the toilet seat 12 and the lid 14 are mounted for rotational movement about a base 16 .
- the base 16 is to be mounted to a toilet (not shown) by any suitable means.
- the seat 12 and the lid 14 are mounted to both be rotatable about a common axis 18 such that either the seat 12 and lid 14 can be opened together or the lid 14 can be rotated open and the seat 12 left in place.
- the apparatus 10 is provided with a drive means 20 capable of providing a rotational force to either the seat 12 and the lid 14 together or the lid 14 alone.
- the drive means 20 comprises a first electric motor 22 having a first drive shaft 24 for rotation of the seat 12 and a second electric motor 25 having a second drive shaft 27 for rotation of the lid 14 .
- the base 16 comprises a battery housing 32 and a mounting portion 30 , onto which is mounted the seat 12 , the lid 14 and the drive means 20 .
- the battery housing 32 is located parallel to and behind the mounting portion 30 in use such that the battery housing 32 is accessible when the seat 12 and the lid 14 are closed.
- the mounting portion 30 includes a first end portion 34 , a second end portion 36 and a central portion 38 .
- Each of the first and second end portions 34 and 36 include a generally arcuate upper surface.
- the seat 12 includes a first hinge portion 80 comprising a first hollow cylindrical member 40 .
- the first hinge portion 80 is integrally formed with the seat 12 and is located on a first side of the seat 12 .
- the first hollow cylindrical member 40 is received in the arcuate upper surface of the first end portion 34 such that the seat 12 is rotatable about the base 16 by rotation of the first hollow cylindrical member 40 within the first end portion 34 .
- the first hollow cylindrical member 40 extends from the first side of the seat 12 to a point before the midpoint of the seat 12 .
- the length of the hollow cylindrical member 40 allows the seat 12 to rotate about the base 16 while being connected only on the first side thereof.
- the lid 14 includes a second hinge portion 82 comprising a second cylindrical member 42 .
- the second hinge portion 82 is integrally formed with the lid 14 and is located on a second side of the lid 14 opposite the first hinge portion 80 .
- the second hollow cylindrical member 42 is received in the arcuate upper surface of the second end portion 36 such that the lid 14 is rotatable about the base 16 by rotation of the second hollow cylindrical member 42 within the second end portion 36 .
- the second hollow cylindrical member 42 extends from the second side of the lid 14 to a point before the midpoint of the lid 14 .
- the length of the hollow cylindrical member 42 allows the lid 14 rotate about the base 16 while being connected only on the second side thereof.
- the drive means 20 includes a drive housing 44 into which is received the first and second electric motors 22 and 25 .
- the housing 44 is generally cylindrical and the first and second electric motors 22 and 25 are arranged centrally within the drive housing 44 such that the first and second drive shafts 24 and 27 extend coaxially away from each other.
- the central portion 38 of the mounting portion 30 includes a cradle 46 into which is mounted the drive housing 44 .
- a first end of the drive housing 44 in which is located the first drive shaft 24 , extends into the first hollow cylindrical member 40 of the seat 12 .
- a second end of the drive housing 44 in which is located the second drive shaft 27 , extends into the second hollow cylindrical member 42 of the lid 14 .
- Each of the first and second drive shafts 24 and 27 include gears that extend through apertures in the drive housing 44 and engage with inner surfaces of the corresponding first and second hollow cylindrical members 40 and 42 such that operation of the first electric motor 22 rotates the first hollow cylindrical member 40 and thereby the seat 12 , and operation of the second electric motor 25 rotates the second hollow cylindrical member 42 and thereby the lid 14 .
- the arrangement in which the first and second integral hinge portions on the seat 12 and the lid 14 are provided on opposite sides with the drive means mounted centrally allows for easy assembly of the apparatus.
- the drive housing 44 can be placed in position and the seat 12 and lid 14 slid into engagement with the drive means from opposite sides.
- a cover member 50 is also provided to extend over the drive housing 44 between the first and second hollow cylindrical members 40 and 42 and prevent access to the drive housing 44 .
- a first securing clip 66 is received in a corresponding slot 67 in the first hollow cylindrical portion 40 to engage with the drive housing 44 .
- a second securing clip 68 is received in a corresponding slot (not visible) in the second hollow cylindrical portion 42 to engage with the drive housing 44 .
- the first and second securing clips 66 and 68 comprise generally arcuate members being received in the corresponding slots.
- the securing clips 66 and 68 have protrusions 70 at each end to engage with corresponding apertures in the drive housing 44 .
- the battery housing 32 houses sufficient batteries 35 to power the first and second electric motors 22 and 25
- the apparatus 10 of the present invention includes spring bias means.
- the spring bias means comprises a first coil spring 60 arranged to be in engagement with the seat 12 and a second coil spring 62 in engagement with the lid 14 .
- the first coil spring 60 is located in the first hollow cylindrical member 40 and the second coil spring 62 is located in the second hollow cylindrical member 42 .
- the first coil spring 60 is engaged such that when the seat 12 is in the closed position, the first coil spring 60 provides a rotational force to the seat 12 in a direction that would tend to move the seat 12 to the open position.
- the rotational force provided by the first coil spring 60 is not sufficient to move the seat 12 by itself but provides sufficient bias such that only a minimal amount of force provided by the first electric motor 22 results in movement of the seat 12 .
- the second coil spring 62 is engaged such that when the lid 14 is in the closed position, the second coil spring 62 provides a rotational force to the lid 14 in a direction that would tend to move the lid 14 to the open position.
- the rotational force provided by the second coil spring 62 is not sufficient to move the lid 14 by itself but provides sufficient bias such that only a minimal amount of force provided by the second electric motor 25 results in movement of the lid 14 .
- the first and second electric motors 22 and 25 provided may be relatively small and inexpensive.
- the apparatus 10 is provided also with a control means in the form of a control panel 66 .
- the control panel 66 is provided with a transmitter (not shown) that transmits a signal received by a receiver (not shown) in communication with the drive means 20 .
- the control panel 66 includes means to accept user input to select functions including lifting the lid 14 only, lifting both the lid 14 and the seat 12 and lowering the lid 14 and the seat 12 .
- the control panel 66 includes a sensor to detect motion such that the user may control the operation of the apparatus by moving their hand in the vicinity of the sensors.
Abstract
Apparatus for lifting a seat (12) and lid (14) of a toilet seat and lid assembly. The apparatus includes a first hinge portion (80) integral with the seat and rotatably mounted to the base (16), a second hinge portion (82) integral with the lid (14) and rotatably mounted to the base (16) and a drive means (20) engageable with the first and second hinge portions (80 and 82). The first hinge portion (80) is adjacent a first side of the seat (12) and is the only integral part of the seat (12) secured for rotation about the base (16). The second hinge portion (82) is adjacent a second opposite side of the lid (14) and is the only integral part of the lid (14) secured for rotation about the base (16). The drive means (20) is mounted between the first and second hinge portions (80 and 82) and engages with the first and second hinge portions (80 and 82) to rotate either or both of the seat (12) and lid (14) about the base (16).
Description
- The present invention relates to apparatus for lifting the seat and lid of a toilet. It has been recognised previously that, due to the potential unhygienic nature of toilet seats and lids, a method of lifting the seat and lid without requiring physical contact may be beneficial. While attempts have been made to produce such devices, they have not gained particularly wide acceptance in many areas due to a number of reasons. For example, power must generally be provided to drive the seat and lid up and down and overly complex systems result in an increase in cost to an item that would otherwise be relatively inexpensive. For many consumers, the issue of needing to make contact with a potentially unhygienic toilet seat is simply not of sufficient importance to justify the additional cost and effort to install such a device.
- The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous devices provided for lifting the seat and lid of a toilet.
- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly, the seat and lid being pivotally mounted for rotation about a base wherein the apparatus includes:
- a first hinge portion integral with the seat and rotatably mounted to the base;
- a second hinge portion integral with the lid and rotatably mounted to the base; and
- a drive means engageable with the first and second hinge portions;
- wherein the first hinge portion is adjacent a first side of the seat and is the only integral part of the seat secured for rotation about the base, the second hinge portion is adjacent a second opposite side of the lid and is the only integral part of the lid secured for rotation about the base and the drive means is mounted between the first and second hinge portions and engages with the first and second hinge portions to rotate either or both of the seat and lid about the base. Preferably the seat and lid rotate about a common rotation axis and the first hinge portion extends from the first side of the seat along the rotation axis to a point adjacent the midpoint of the seat and the second hinge portion extends from the second side of the seat along the rotation axis to a point adjacent the midpoint of the lid.
- Preferably, the first hinge portion comprises a first hollow cylindrical member, the second hinge portion comprises a second hollow cylindrical member and the drive means engages inside adjacent open ends of the first and second hollow cylindrical members.
- The drive means preferably comprises a cylindrical drive housing into which is received a first drive motor and a second drive motor, the first and second drive motors having drive shafts extending in opposite directions along the central axis of the cylindrical drive housing. The first and second drive shafts may each include gears that extend through apertures in the drive housing and engage with inner surfaces of the first and second hollow cylindrical members respectively.
- The base preferably includes a mounting portion comprising a first end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the first hinge portion, a second end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the second end portion and a central portion having a cradle into which is received the drive housing.
- Slots may be provided in the first and second cylindrical members, into which are received arcuate securing clips which engage with the drive housing to prevent disengagement of the first and second hollow cylindrical members from the drive housing.
- Typically, the base portion includes a battery housing for batteries to power the drive means, the battery housing being located parallel to and behind the mounting portion such that the battery housing is accessible when the seat and lid are both closed.
- Preferably a spring bias mean is provided in engagement with the seat and lid to provide a rotational force in the direction of opening to the lid and seat. The spring bias means may comprise a first coil spring in the first hollow cylindrical member and a second coil spring in the second hollow cylindrical member.
- Advantageously, a control means is provided to control operation of the drive means. The control means may include a control panel having a transmitter and the drive means include a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter in the control panel such that the drive means can either raise or lower either the seat or lid or both. Preferably the control panel includes a sensor to detect motion such that motion detected by the sensor is used to control operation of the drive means.
- The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of a toilet seat and lid assembly and drive means in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a fully exploded view of the toilet seat and lid assembly and drive means ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of the toilet seat and lid assembly ofFIG. 1 assembled; and -
FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the toilet seat and lid ofFIG. 1 assembled. - Referring to the Figures, there is shown
apparatus 10 for lifting a seat and lid assembly. The seat and lid assembly includes atoilet seat 12 and alid 14. Thetoilet seat 12 and thelid 14 are mounted for rotational movement about abase 16. Thebase 16 is to be mounted to a toilet (not shown) by any suitable means. Theseat 12 and thelid 14 are mounted to both be rotatable about acommon axis 18 such that either theseat 12 andlid 14 can be opened together or thelid 14 can be rotated open and theseat 12 left in place. - The
apparatus 10 is provided with a drive means 20 capable of providing a rotational force to either theseat 12 and thelid 14 together or thelid 14 alone. The drive means 20 comprises a firstelectric motor 22 having afirst drive shaft 24 for rotation of theseat 12 and a secondelectric motor 25 having asecond drive shaft 27 for rotation of thelid 14. Thebase 16 comprises abattery housing 32 and amounting portion 30, onto which is mounted theseat 12, thelid 14 and the drive means 20. Thebattery housing 32 is located parallel to and behind themounting portion 30 in use such that thebattery housing 32 is accessible when theseat 12 and thelid 14 are closed. - The
mounting portion 30 includes afirst end portion 34, asecond end portion 36 and acentral portion 38. Each of the first andsecond end portions seat 12 includes afirst hinge portion 80 comprising a first hollowcylindrical member 40. Thefirst hinge portion 80 is integrally formed with theseat 12 and is located on a first side of theseat 12. The first hollowcylindrical member 40 is received in the arcuate upper surface of thefirst end portion 34 such that theseat 12 is rotatable about thebase 16 by rotation of the first hollowcylindrical member 40 within thefirst end portion 34. The first hollowcylindrical member 40 extends from the first side of theseat 12 to a point before the midpoint of theseat 12. The length of the hollowcylindrical member 40 allows theseat 12 to rotate about thebase 16 while being connected only on the first side thereof. - The
lid 14 includes asecond hinge portion 82 comprising a secondcylindrical member 42. Thesecond hinge portion 82 is integrally formed with thelid 14 and is located on a second side of thelid 14 opposite thefirst hinge portion 80. The second hollowcylindrical member 42 is received in the arcuate upper surface of thesecond end portion 36 such that thelid 14 is rotatable about thebase 16 by rotation of the second hollowcylindrical member 42 within thesecond end portion 36. The second hollowcylindrical member 42 extends from the second side of thelid 14 to a point before the midpoint of thelid 14. The length of the hollowcylindrical member 42 allows thelid 14 rotate about thebase 16 while being connected only on the second side thereof. - The drive means 20 includes a
drive housing 44 into which is received the first and secondelectric motors housing 44 is generally cylindrical and the first and secondelectric motors drive housing 44 such that the first andsecond drive shafts central portion 38 of themounting portion 30 includes acradle 46 into which is mounted thedrive housing 44. When received in thecradle 46, a first end of thedrive housing 44, in which is located thefirst drive shaft 24, extends into the first hollowcylindrical member 40 of theseat 12. A second end of thedrive housing 44, in which is located thesecond drive shaft 27, extends into the second hollowcylindrical member 42 of thelid 14. Each of the first andsecond drive shafts drive housing 44 and engage with inner surfaces of the corresponding first and second hollowcylindrical members electric motor 22 rotates the first hollowcylindrical member 40 and thereby theseat 12, and operation of the secondelectric motor 25 rotates the second hollowcylindrical member 42 and thereby thelid 14. - The arrangement in which the first and second integral hinge portions on the
seat 12 and thelid 14 are provided on opposite sides with the drive means mounted centrally allows for easy assembly of the apparatus. Thedrive housing 44 can be placed in position and theseat 12 andlid 14 slid into engagement with the drive means from opposite sides. - A
cover member 50 is also provided to extend over thedrive housing 44 between the first and second hollowcylindrical members drive housing 44. Once thedrive housing 44 is received in thecradle 46 and thecover 50 is in place, afirst securing clip 66 is received in acorresponding slot 67 in the first hollowcylindrical portion 40 to engage with thedrive housing 44. Asecond securing clip 68 is received in a corresponding slot (not visible) in the second hollowcylindrical portion 42 to engage with thedrive housing 44. The first and second securingclips protrusions 70 at each end to engage with corresponding apertures in thedrive housing 44. - Also provided is suitable circuitry located in the
cradle 46 below the drive housing to control operation of either or both of the first and secondelectric motors battery housing 32 housessufficient batteries 35 to power the first and secondelectric motors - The
apparatus 10 of the present invention includes spring bias means. The spring bias means comprises afirst coil spring 60 arranged to be in engagement with theseat 12 and asecond coil spring 62 in engagement with thelid 14. Thefirst coil spring 60 is located in the first hollowcylindrical member 40 and thesecond coil spring 62 is located in the second hollowcylindrical member 42. Thefirst coil spring 60 is engaged such that when theseat 12 is in the closed position, thefirst coil spring 60 provides a rotational force to theseat 12 in a direction that would tend to move theseat 12 to the open position. The rotational force provided by thefirst coil spring 60 is not sufficient to move theseat 12 by itself but provides sufficient bias such that only a minimal amount of force provided by the firstelectric motor 22 results in movement of theseat 12. - The
second coil spring 62 is engaged such that when thelid 14 is in the closed position, thesecond coil spring 62 provides a rotational force to thelid 14 in a direction that would tend to move thelid 14 to the open position. The rotational force provided by thesecond coil spring 62 is not sufficient to move thelid 14 by itself but provides sufficient bias such that only a minimal amount of force provided by the secondelectric motor 25 results in movement of thelid 14. In this way, the first and secondelectric motors apparatus 10 is provided also with a control means in the form of acontrol panel 66. Thecontrol panel 66 is provided with a transmitter (not shown) that transmits a signal received by a receiver (not shown) in communication with the drive means 20. Thecontrol panel 66 includes means to accept user input to select functions including lifting thelid 14 only, lifting both thelid 14 and theseat 12 and lowering thelid 14 and theseat 12. In the embodiment shown, thecontrol panel 66 includes a sensor to detect motion such that the user may control the operation of the apparatus by moving their hand in the vicinity of the sensors. - Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention
Claims (15)
1. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly, the seat and lid being pivotally mounted for rotation about a base wherein the apparatus includes:
a first hinge portion integral with the seat and rotatably mounted to the base;
a second hinge portion integral with the lid and rotatably mounted to the base; and
a drive means engageable with the first and second hinge portions;
wherein the first hinge portion is adjacent a first side of the seat and is the only integral part of the seat secured for rotation about the base, the second hinge portion is adjacent a second opposite side of the lid and is the only integral part of the lid secured for rotation about the base and the drive means is mounted between the first and second hinge portions and engages with the first and second hinge portions to rotate either or both of the seat and lid about the base.
2. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the seat and lid rotate about a common rotation axis and the first hinge portion extends from the first side of the seat along the rotation axis to a point adjacent the midpoint of the seat and the second hinge portion extends from the second side of the seat along the rotation axis to a point adjacent the midpoint of the lid.
3. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the first hinge portion comprises a first hollow cylindrical member, the second hinge portion comprises a second hollow cylindrical member and the drive means engages inside adjacent open ends of the first and second hollow cylindrical members.
4. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the drive means comprises a cylindrical drive housing into which is received a first drive motor and a second drive motor, the first and second drive motors having drive shafts extending in opposite directions along the central axis of the cylindrical drive housing.
5. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the first and second drive shafts each include gears that extend through apertures in the drive housing and engage with inner surfaces of the first and second hollow cylindrical members respectively.
6. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the base includes a mounting portion comprising a first end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the first hinge portion, a second end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the second end portion and a central portion having a cradle into which is received the drive housing.
7. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 6 , wherein a cover member is provided to cover across the drive housing between the first and second hollow cylindrical members.
8. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 4 , wherein slots are provided in the first and second cylindrical members, into which are received arcuate securing clips which engage with the drive housing to prevent disengagement of the first and second hollow cylindrical members from the drive housing.
9. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the base portion includes a battery housing for batteries to power the drive means, the battery housing being located parallel to and behind the mounting portion such that the battery housing is accessible when the seat and lid are both closed.
10. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes spring bias means in engagement with the seat and lid to provide a rotational force in the direction of opening to the lid and seat.
11. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the spring bias means comprises a first coil spring in the first hollow cylindrical member and a second coil spring in the second hollow cylindrical member.
12. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a control means is provided to control operation of the drive means.
13. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the control means comprises a control panel having a transmitter and the drive means includes a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter in the control panel.
14. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 13 , where the control panel can send signals to the receiver based on information received from input means of the control panel such that the drive means either raises or lowers either the seat or lid or both.
15. An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the control panel includes a sensor to detect motion such that motion detected by the sensor is used to control operation of the drive means.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2006901329A AU2006901329A0 (en) | 2006-03-15 | Toilet seat lifting apparatus | |
AU2006903668A AU2006903668A0 (en) | 2006-07-07 | Toilet seat lifting apparatus | |
PCT/AU2007/000305 WO2007104095A1 (en) | 2006-03-15 | 2007-03-13 | Toilet seat lifting apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100083431A1 true US20100083431A1 (en) | 2010-04-08 |
Family
ID=38508966
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/530,831 Abandoned US20100083431A1 (en) | 2006-03-15 | 2007-03-13 | Toilet seat lifting apparatus |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100083431A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101742955A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007225009A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2680725A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007104095A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090188029A1 (en) * | 2008-01-30 | 2009-07-30 | Johnson Electric S.A. | Opening device |
CN102389277A (en) * | 2011-08-03 | 2012-03-28 | 上海科勒电子科技有限公司 | Closestool |
US9462919B2 (en) | 2013-01-08 | 2016-10-11 | Kohler Co. | Damper locking mechanism for toilet seat |
EP3219233A1 (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2017-09-20 | Grohe AG | Device for a toilet with a drive supported by a torsion spring, and a toilet with said device |
EP3115630A4 (en) * | 2014-02-28 | 2017-12-20 | Hui Zhou Toneluck Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. | Automatic turnover device |
US10610069B2 (en) | 2018-01-06 | 2020-04-07 | Kohler Co. | Toilet seat and hinge |
CN112243355A (en) * | 2018-04-11 | 2021-01-19 | 科勒公司 | Toilet bowl |
US11324364B2 (en) | 2020-04-20 | 2022-05-10 | Parminder Singh | Remote controlled toilet seat lift system and methods of use |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106137011A (en) * | 2016-06-28 | 2016-11-23 | 周海能 | A kind of toilet lid control method |
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US6321393B1 (en) * | 2001-03-05 | 2001-11-27 | Darryl A. Jones | Automated toilet seat lowering device |
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US20070056084A1 (en) * | 2003-02-17 | 2007-03-15 | Watt Glenn M | Powered toilet & seat assembly |
US7636956B1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2009-12-29 | Sheryl Doucet | Hands free toilet seat system |
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CA2074272A1 (en) * | 1992-07-20 | 1994-01-21 | Jiri Marek | 'td' lifting apparatus |
JP4239384B2 (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2009-03-18 | パナソニック株式会社 | Toilet seat / toilet lid electric switchgear |
JP4207506B2 (en) * | 2002-09-02 | 2009-01-14 | 株式会社Inax | Toilet bowl equipment |
AU2004238174A1 (en) * | 2003-02-17 | 2004-11-25 | Andrew John Heke | Powered toilet and seat assembly |
-
2007
- 2007-03-13 AU AU2007225009A patent/AU2007225009A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-03-13 CN CN200780052763A patent/CN101742955A/en active Pending
- 2007-03-13 CA CA002680725A patent/CA2680725A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-03-13 US US12/530,831 patent/US20100083431A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-03-13 WO PCT/AU2007/000305 patent/WO2007104095A1/en active Application Filing
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US6321393B1 (en) * | 2001-03-05 | 2001-11-27 | Darryl A. Jones | Automated toilet seat lowering device |
US20050217010A1 (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2005-10-06 | Ryosuke Hayashi | Automatic open/close device for toilet seat or toilet cover |
US20070056084A1 (en) * | 2003-02-17 | 2007-03-15 | Watt Glenn M | Powered toilet & seat assembly |
US7636956B1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2009-12-29 | Sheryl Doucet | Hands free toilet seat system |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20090188029A1 (en) * | 2008-01-30 | 2009-07-30 | Johnson Electric S.A. | Opening device |
CN102389277A (en) * | 2011-08-03 | 2012-03-28 | 上海科勒电子科技有限公司 | Closestool |
US9462919B2 (en) | 2013-01-08 | 2016-10-11 | Kohler Co. | Damper locking mechanism for toilet seat |
EP3115630A4 (en) * | 2014-02-28 | 2017-12-20 | Hui Zhou Toneluck Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd. | Automatic turnover device |
EP3219233A1 (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2017-09-20 | Grohe AG | Device for a toilet with a drive supported by a torsion spring, and a toilet with said device |
US10610068B2 (en) | 2018-01-06 | 2020-04-07 | Kohler Co. | Toilet seat and hinge |
US10610069B2 (en) | 2018-01-06 | 2020-04-07 | Kohler Co. | Toilet seat and hinge |
US11129508B2 (en) | 2018-01-06 | 2021-09-28 | Kohler Co. | Toilet seat and hinge |
US11633077B2 (en) | 2018-01-06 | 2023-04-25 | Kohler Co. | Toilet seat and hinge |
CN112243355A (en) * | 2018-04-11 | 2021-01-19 | 科勒公司 | Toilet bowl |
US11529030B2 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2022-12-20 | Kohler Co. | Toilet |
US11759065B2 (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2023-09-19 | Kohler Co. | Toilet |
US11324364B2 (en) | 2020-04-20 | 2022-05-10 | Parminder Singh | Remote controlled toilet seat lift system and methods of use |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2007225009A1 (en) | 2007-09-20 |
WO2007104095A1 (en) | 2007-09-20 |
CN101742955A (en) | 2010-06-16 |
CA2680725A1 (en) | 2007-09-20 |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: HALLETT, MICHAEL JOHN,AUSTRALIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HALLETT, MICHAEL JOHN;REEL/FRAME:023433/0730 Effective date: 20091008 |
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