Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Opener or closer for a closet seat or lid
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-28
2001-07-24
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Opener or closer for a closet seat or lid
C004S246300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263517
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to toilet seats and more specifically to a toilet seat and cover lifter which allows a toilet seat and cover to be lifted without touching thereof.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Sometimes it may be unsanitary to lift a toilet seat or toilet cover by hand, especially when a large number people have used the same toilet. It is also painful for someone with a back problem to bend over and lift a toilet seat by hand. There have been several patents directed at remedying these problems with foot pedals, lift handles, and vertical handles. The drawback to the foot pedal type of toilet seat lifter is the lack of simplicity. The drawback to the lift handles is the requirement that someone with a bad back bend over to pull-up the lift handle. Further, the lift handles are usually close to the toilet seat which may make them less sanitary.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a toilet seat lifter which allows for sanitary handling of toilet seats and/or toilet covers; and the lifting of a toilet seat and/or toilet cover by someone with a bad back with a small amount of effort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat lifter which allows for sanitary handling of toilet seats and/or toilet covers; and the lifting of a toilet seat and/or toilet cover by someone with a bad back with a small amount of effort.
According to the present invention, a toilet seat and cover lifter includes a seat lifting assembly and a cover lifting assembly. Each lifting assembly includes a lifting plate, a pair of arms, a pair of counterweights, a vertical handle, and a vertical handle retainer. The seat lifting assembly is installed in the following manner. The lifting plate is mounted to a bottom of the toilet seat. Each arm extends from an opposite end of the lifting plate. Each arm has a slot formed in a length thereof. At least one counterweight is fastened to each arm through the slot. The counterweights are adjusted by sliding thereof in the slot to reduce the amount force required to move the toilet seat to an upright position. The vertical handle is pivotally attached to an end of either arm. Someone with a bad back does not have to bend over to actuate either vertical handle. Each vertical handle is radially retained inside a vertical handle retainer which is mounted to a side of the toilet tank.
The cover lifting assembly is installed in a similar manner to the seat lifting assembly. The only exception is that the vertical handle for the cover lifting assembly is preferably mounted on the side opposite the vertical handle for the seat lifting assembly.
Two foot pedals may be installed to lift and lower the toilet seat. One end of a lifting cord is attached to an end of a lifting pedal and the other end of the lifting cord is attached to a bottom of the seat vertical handle. One end of a lowering cord is attached to an end of a lowering pedal and the other end of the lowering cord is attached to an end of the seat lifting plate. When the toilet seat is in a horizontal position, the lifting pedal is stepped on to raise the toilet seat. When the toilet seat is in an upright position, the lowering pedal is stepped on to lower the toilet seat. The amount of foot pressure required to lift or lower the toilet seat is very small, because the seat and cover lifting assemblies are counterweighted.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat and cover lifter which requires only a small amount force to lift a toilet seat.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat and cover lifter which requires only a small amount force to lift a toilet cover.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat and cover lifter which has a vertical handle that is not positioned close to the toilet seat or cover for sanitary purposes.
Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat and cover lifter which may be used by an individual with a bad back without aggravating their back condition.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2251770 (1941-08-01), Warner
patent: 2473082 (1949-06-01), Warner
patent: 5435017 (1995-07-01), Pan
patent: 5806106 (1998-09-01), Carter et al.
patent: 5829067 (1998-11-01), Smith
patent: 5940896 (1999-08-01), Berring
Ersler Donald J.
Huson Gregory L.
Nguyen Tuan
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