US20110239358A1

US20110239358A1 - Toilet seat with handle system

Info

Publication number: US20110239358A1
Application number: US13/020,807
Authority: US
Inventors: Darryl Robert Mendoza; Robert Uribe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-01
Filing date: 2011-02-04
Publication date: 2011-10-06

Abstract

A toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly comprises a toilet seat which has an upper planar surface and a bottom planar surface. Two seat-apertures are situated in the bottom planar surface at a predetermined distance apart. A toilet seat handle is located on a right portion of the bottom planar surface so as to retain the upper planar surface in a smooth unobstructed state. The toilet seat handle comprises a flat support plate with two plate-apertures situated at a predetermined distance apart and an oblong grip. The flat support plate is situated underneath and adjacent the bottom planar surface of the toilet seat such that the two plate-apertures are oriented to align with the two seat-apertures. Fasteners may be threadingly inserted into the aligned two seat-apertures and two plate-apertures so that the flat support plate is affixed adjacently to the bottom planar surface of the toilet seat and the oblong grip extends outwardly coplanar with the toilet seat. The oblong grip provides a sanitary gripping surface and comprises a rounded, hook-like shaped end portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/320,300, filed Apr. 1, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of toilet seats and more specifically relates to toilet seats having handles for sanitarily lifting and lowering the seats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Toilet seats, especially those in public places, may transmit disease. Toilets are tolerated, because they are essential to civilization. Various attempts are made to render them more sanitary or at least make them appear to be more hygienic. With the increasing coverage of various types of social or other diseases in the media, there is both, perceived and real danger of infections being transmitted by toilet seats. Unfortunately, from time to time in normal use, it is necessary to raise or lower a toilet seat.
Many people have an aversion to lifting or lowering a toilet seat. Direct contact with a toilet seat is not only repulsive but it may actually be extremely unsanitary. Considering the innumerable germs and bacteria that may be located on and around the seat, many people do not bother to reposition the seat, especially in public rest rooms. For the elderly and for those who have limited mobility, the problems of germs on the toilet seat are especially concerning, especially considering that many of these people may have to grip the toilet seat with both hands for support when getting up from the toilet.
Therefore a need exists for an improved toilet seat with a handle so as to make the use of a toilet seat more sanitary and to prevent the spreading of germs and diseases. A further need exists for a means to make it more sanitary to lower or raise a toilet seat or to touch a toilet seat for support.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,963,992, 7,272,863, D348,601, and D440,642. This prior art is representative of toilet seats. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a toilet seat with a handle for lifting and lowering the seat should reduce the spread of germs, require little maintenance, and, yet be easy to install, operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable Toilet Seat with Handle System to improve the process of lowering and lifting toilet seats and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known toilet seats art, the present invention provides a novel Toilet Seat with Handle System. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a toilet seat having a handle for lifting and lowering the seat.
A toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly is disclosed herein comprising a toilet seat, having (at least) two seat apertures, a toilet seat handle comprising a flat support plate with two plate-apertures and an oblong grip, and two screw fasteners.
The toilet seat has an upper planar surface and a bottom planar surface. The two seat-apertures are situated in the bottom planar surface at a predetermined distance apart. The toilet seat handle comprises plastic and is located on a right portion of the bottom planar surface so as to retain the upper planar surface in a smooth unobstructed state. The toilet seat handle comprises a flat support plate with two plate-apertures situated at a predetermined distance apart and an oblong grip.
The flat support plate has a thickness equal or less than existing bottom bumper-stops on the toilet seat and is situated underneath and adjacent the bottom planar surface of the toilet seat such that the plate-apertures are oriented to align with the seat-apertures. The two screws may be threadingly inserted into the aligned two seat-apertures and two plate-apertures so that the flat support plate is affixed adjacently to the bottom planar surface of the toilet seat and the oblong grip extends outwardly coplanar with the toilet seat. The oblong grip provides a sanitary gripping surface and comprises a rounded, hook-like shaped end portion.
A kit is also described herein including at least one toilet seat, at least one toilet seat handle, and at least two fasteners.
Further, a method for using a toilet seat with a toilet seat handle assembly is disclosed herein comprising the steps of: installing a toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly to a toilet; grasping a grip of the toilet seat handle; lifting the toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly relative to a bowl of the toilet; optionally lowering the toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly relative to the bowl of the toilet; and thereby avoiding user-hand contamination.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a Toilet Seat with Handle System. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, Toilet Seat with Handle System, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a Toilet Seat with Handle System in an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating another view of the Toilet Seat with Handle System in an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the Toilet Seat with Handle System according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view illustrating the Toilet Seat with Handle System according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for using a toilet seat with a toilet seat handle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a toilet seat device and more particularly to a toilet seat having a handle for lifting and lowering the seat as used to improve the process of lowering and lifting toilet seats.
Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective views illustrating Toilet Seat with Handle System 100 in an ‘in-use’ condition 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 preferably comprises toilet seat 120 having upper planar surface 130 and bottom planar surface 140, at least two seat-apertures 150 situated in bottom planar surface 140 at a predetermined distance apart, one toilet seat handle 160 comprising a flat support plate 170 with at least two plate-apertures 180 situated at a predetermined distance apart and an oblong grip 190, and at least two fasteners 200.
Flat support plate 170 is situated underneath and adjacent bottom planar surface 140 of toilet seat 120 such that at least two plate-apertures 180 are oriented to align with at least two seat-apertures 150. At least two fasteners 200 are threadingly inserted into aligned at least two seat-apertures 150 and at least two plate-apertures 180 so that flat support plate 170 is affixed to bottom planar surface 140 of toilet seat 120 and oblong grip 190 extends outwardly coplanar with toilet seat 120.
After installing toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 to toilet 120, user 220 may grasp oblong grip 190 of toilet seat handle 160, lift toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 relative to a bowl of toilet 120, or lower toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 relative to a bowl of toilet 120, and thereby create in-use condition 210.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a bottom perspective view illustrating the Toilet Seat with Handle System 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 and 2.
As previously mentioned, toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 preferably comprises toilet seat 120 having upper planar surface 130 and bottom planar surface 140. Toilet seat 120 is preferably made of plastic material. However, toilet seat 120 may comprise any kind of suitable and durable material, such as chrome, aluminum or rubber. At least two seat-apertures 150 (three seat-apertures 150 and three plate-apertures 180 are shown in the present figure as an alternate fastening means—it should be appreciated that more or less fasteners 200 may be used, as well as adhesive and other suitable means) are situated in bottom planar surface 140 of toilet seat 120 at a predetermined distance apart. When assembled, seat-apertures 150 are adjacent and linearly aligned with plate-apertures 180 to accommodate a through hole for fasteners 200 to be inserted therein to secure the present invention to toilet seat 120.
Toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 further comprises toilet seat handle 160 comprising flat support plate 170 with at least two plate-apertures 180 situated at a predetermined distance apart and oblong grip 190. Toilet seat handle 160 is preferably made of plastic material. However, toilet seat handle 160 may comprise any kind of suitable and durable material, such as chrome, aluminum or rubber. Toilet seat handle 160 is preferably located on a right portion of bottom planar surface 140 so as to retain upper planar surface 130 in a smooth unobstructed state. However toilet seat handle 160 may also be situated on a left portion of bottom planar surface 140.
Flat support plate 170 has a thickness equal or less than existing bottom bumper-stops on toilet seat 120 and comprises at least two plate-apertures 180 situated at a predetermined distance apart. Flat support plate 170 is situated underneath and adjacent bottom planar surface 140 of toilet seat 120 such that at least two plate-apertures 180 are oriented to align with at least two seat-apertures 150.
At least two fasteners 200 are threadingly inserted into aligned at least two seat-apertures 150 and at least two plate-apertures 180 so that flat support plate 170 is affixed to bottom planar surface 140 of toilet seat 120, and oblong grip 190 extends outwardly coplanar with toilet seat 120. Fasteners 200 preferably comprise screws. Toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 preferably comprises exactly two seat-apertures 150 situated at a predetermined distance apart, exactly two plate-apertures 180 situated at a predetermined distance apart, and exactly two fasteners 200. However, toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 may comprise any suitable number of seat-apertures 150 or plate-apertures 180 and any suitable number of fasteners 200 or any other suitable fastening means, such as bolts or pins (as previously mentioned).
Toilet seat handle 160 may alternatively be produced separately to toilet seat 120 and be user-installable onto an existing toilet seat. Toilet seat handle 160 may preferably be user-installable onto an existing toilet seat via adhesive or via screw-fasteners.
Oblong grip 190 may be affixed to flat support plate 170 and may be designed to project horizontally from the side of toilet seat 120. Oblong grip 190 may preferably measure 4 inches in length, 1.5 inches in width and 1 inch in total depth. Oblong grip 190 may preferably be made of plastic. However, oblong grip 190 may be made of polished chrome, copper, or aluminum material. Further, oblong grip 190 may be cylindrical in shape and slightly angled to form a hook-like grip so as to make it easy to grasp and safely hold oblong grip 190. Oblong grip 190 thereby provides a sanitary gripping surface which may prevent the spreading of germs and diseases.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a top perspective view illustrating the Toilet Seat with Handle System 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.
As previously mentioned, toilet seat handle 160 may be located on a right portion of bottom planar surface 140 so as to retain upper planar surface 130 in a smooth unobstructed state.
Toilet Seat with Handle System 100 may be sold as kit 440 comprising the following parts: at least one toilet seat 120, at least one toilet seat handle 160, and at least two fasteners 200, and at least one set of user instructions.
Toilet Seat with Handle System 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, different types/sizes/means of fastening, etc., may be sufficient.
Referring now to FIG. 5, showing flowchart 550 illustrating a method 500 for using a toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use 500 is disclosed herein comprising the following steps: step one 501 installing toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 to toilet 120; step two 502 grasping a grip of toilet seat handle 160; step three 503 lifting toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 relative to a bowl of toilet 120; step four 504 (optionally—shown in dotted lines) lowering toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly 110 relative to the bowl of toilet 120; and thereby avoiding user-hand contamination.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly comprising:

a toilet seat having an upper planar surface and a bottom planar surface;

at least two seat-apertures situated in said bottom planar surface at a predetermined distance apart;

one toilet seat handle comprising a flat support plate with at least two plate-apertures situated at a predetermined distance apart and an oblong grip; and

at least two fasteners;

wherein said flat support plate is situated underneath and adjacent said bottom planar surface of said toilet seat such that said at least two plate-apertures are oriented to align with said at least two seat-apertures;

wherein said at least two fasteners are threadingly inserted into aligned said at least two seat-apertures and said at least two plate-apertures so that said flat support plate is affixed to said bottom planar surface of said toilet seat and said oblong grip extends outwardly coplanar with said toilet seat; and

wherein said oblong grip comprises a rounded hook-like shaped end portion.

2. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said fasteners comprise exactly two screws.

3. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said lower planar surface of said toilet seat comprises exactly two seat-apertures situated at a predetermined distance apart.

4. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said flat support plate comprises exactly two plate-apertures situated at a predetermined distance apart.

5. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said toilet seat handle is located on a right portion of said bottom planar surface so as to retain said upper planar surface in a smooth unobstructed state.

6. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said toilet seat handle is located on a left portion of said bottom planar surface so as to retain said upper planar surface in a smooth unobstructed state.

7. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said toilet seat handle comprises polished chrome.

8. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said toilet seat handle comprises aluminum.

9. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said toilet seat handle comprises rigid rubber.

10. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said toilet seat and said toilet seat handle comprise one integrally formed injection molded plastic unit.

11. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said toilet seat handle is user-installable onto an existing toilet seat.

12. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 11 wherein said toilet seat handle is user-installable onto said existing toilet seat via adhesive.

13. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 11 wherein said toilet seat handle is user-installable to said existing toilet seat via screw-fasteners.

14. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said oblong grip provides a sanitary gripping surface.

15. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 1 wherein said flat support plate has a thickness equal or less than existing bottom bumper-stops on said toilet seat.

16. A toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly comprising:

a toilet seat having an upper planar surface and a bottom planar surface;

two seat-apertures situated in said bottom planar surface at a predetermined distance apart;

one toilet seat handle comprising plastic which is located on a right portion of said bottom planar surface so as to retain said upper planar surface in a smooth unobstructed state comprising a flat support plate with two plate-apertures situated at a predetermined distance apart and an oblong grip which provides a sanitary gripping surface; and

two screws;

wherein said flat support plate has a thickness equal or less than existing bottom bumper-stops on said toilet seat and is situated underneath and adjacent said bottom planar surface of said toilet seat such that said two plate-apertures are oriented to align with said two seat-apertures;

wherein said two screws are threadingly insertable into aligned said two seat-apertures and said two plate-apertures so that said flat support plate is affixed adjacently to said bottom planar surface of said toilet seat and said oblong grip extends outwardly coplanar with said toilet seat; and

wherein said oblong grip comprises a rounded, hook-like shaped end portion.

17. The toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly of claim 16 further comprising a kit including said toilet seat, said toilet seat handle, and said at least two fasteners.

18. A method for using a toilet seat with a toilet seat handle assembly comprising the steps of:

installing a toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly to a toilet;

grasping a grip of said toilet seat handle;

lifting said toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly relative to a bowl of said toilet; and

lowering said toilet seat and toilet seat handle assembly relative to said bowl of said toilet; and thereby avoiding user-hand contamination.