Abstract:
An apparatus for raising and lowering a toilet seat that can easily be installed, for example by hand without tools, on a toilet, for example one that only has a seat and not a lid as commonly found in public venues. The apparatus includes a pedal base, a pedal, a seat bracket, and a lifter lever. The pedal is pivotally connected to the pedal base and coupled to the seat bracket so that movement of the pedal induces movement of the seat bracket and the lifter lever. The lifter lever is positioned under a toilet seat so that as the lifter lever is moved, the toilet seat is raised, and as the seat bracket rotates back down by reverse action on the pedal, the toilet seat is lowered.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Related subject matter is disclosed in a further U.S. patent application filed concurrently herewith, by the same applicant, attorney docket no. 208391-9002, titled “TOILET SEAT AND TOILET LID LIFTER AND REMOTE TOILET FLUSHER”, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all that is taught to provide greater detail or to describe additional aspects, but is in no way meant to limit or contradict the disclosure set forth herein or the construction of the appended claims. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Various exemplary embodiments relate to devices for raising and lowering the seat of a commode or toilet. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally, toilet seats and/or lids vary greatly, from simple handles that are connected to the toilet seat, to complex mechanized and powered units. The former type does not totally eliminate unsanitary hand contact, nor does it eliminate possible arm, hand and back strain associated with manual operation. Mechanized and/or powered units often require complicated installation and/or permanent additions or modifications to the toilet, plumbing, and surrounding structure that are costly to manufacture and maintain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a toilet seat lifting device includes a pedal base, a pedal, a seat bracket, and a lifter lever. The pedal is pivotally connected to the pedal base. The seat bracket is mechanically connected to the pedal so that movement of the pedal induces movement of the seat bracket. The lifter lever is connected to, and extends outwardly from, the seat bracket. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a toilet seat lifting device includes a pedal base, a mounting bracket, a pedal, a seat bracket, and a lifter lever. The pedal base has a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion. The mounting bracket extends from the pedal base and has a slot. The pedal pivotally connects to the pedal base and has a bottom and a toe lip. The seat bracket is mechanically coupled to the pedal so that downward movement of the pedal induces movement of the seat bracket in a first direction and upward movement of the pedal induces movement of the seat bracket in a second direction. The lifter lever is connected to, and extends outwardly from, the seat bracket. 
         [0008]    In accordance with additional exemplary embodiments is a combination toilet and toilet seat lifting device. The toilet has a toilet base, a toilet seat connected to the toilet base by a seat hinge, and a tank. The lifting device includes a pedal base, a mounting bracket, a pedal, a seat bracket, and a lifter lever. The mounting bracket extends from the pedal base and connects to the toilet base. The pedal pivotally connects to the pedal base. The seat bracket connects to the seat hinge and is coupled to the pedal so that movement of the pedal induces movement of the seat bracket. The lifter lever is connected to the seat bracket and is positionable under the toilet seat so that application of a force to the pedal causes movement of the toilet seat. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, a device for raising or lowering a toilet seat includes a foot pedal disposed proximate a surface supporting a toilet. A linkage member mechanically attaches to the foot pedal at a first end thereof. An operating assembling mechanically attaches to said linkage member at a second end thereof. The operating assembly has a lifter for raising the toilet seat when the foot pedal is depressed and a closer for closing the toilet seat when the foot pedal is raised. 
         [0010]    Various exemplary embodiments include a manually operated device to facilitate the desired raising and lowering of a toilet seat and lid through the application of downward and upward force applied to a single pedal. According to various embodiments, when the pedal is depressed by the foot the seat is raised. Upward force on the pedal lowers the seat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The above aspects and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the description for the exemplary embodiments of the present invention taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lifter device connected to a toilet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is perspective view of the lifter device and toilet of  FIG. 1  with the lifter biasing the toilet seat in a raised configuration; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the lifter device and toilet in a first exemplary configuration where a connector rod is connected in a first position and with a depiction of a user&#39;s foot; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the lifter device and toilet of  FIG. 3  with the user biasing the toilet seat into the raised configuration at a less than vertical position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the lifter device and toilet in a second exemplary configuration where a connector rod is connected in a second position and where the toilet seat is raised past a vertical position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the lifter device and toilet of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the seat bracket taken about line  7 - 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the lifter device of  FIG. 1  removed from the toilet; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8B  is an enlarged view of the circled area of  FIG. 8A  around an indent; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8C  is an enlarged view of the circled area of  FIG. 8A  around the rear of the seat bracket; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the pedal base and seat bracket mounted to the toilet with the pedal and connector rod removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a toilet seat lifter  10  includes a pedal base  12  that rests on the floor next to a toilet  14 . The term toilet seat may be used herein to refer to any toilet seat toilet lid, or combination thereof. The pedal base  12  includes a first portion  16  and a second portion  18 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first portion  16  is a rectangular, horizontal plate having a pair of substantially flat, planar surfaces, with a bottom surface in contact with a floor, and the second portion  18  is a rectangular, vertical plate extending from the first portion  16  away from the floor. The second portion  18  extends from the first portion  16  at a substantially right angle, although any angle can be used depending on the configuration of the lifter  10  and the toilet  14 . The first and second portions  16 ,  18  may be unitarily formed or separately connected to one another. Different configurations for the pedal base  12  may be used, for example any rectilinear shape, curvilinear shape, or various combinations thereof, to conform to different toilets, meet size requirements, or for other utility and design considerations. The pedal base  12  may be made from a plastic, metal, ceramic, or composite material, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the pedal base  12  is made from any stiff, lightweight material. 
         [0024]    The pedal base  12  is connected to a mounting bracket  20  by one or more mechanical fasteners, for example by one or more bolt and wing nut combinations  22 . The mounting bracket  20  includes a first part  24  and a second part  26 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first part  24  is a pentagonal, horizontal plate having a pair of substantially flat, planar surfaces, and the second part  26  is a rectangular, vertical plate extending from the first part  24  towards the floor. The first part  24  has a slot for receiving one or more fasteners to connect to the toilet  14 . In an exemplary embodiment the slot receives the existing mounting hardware from the base of the toilet. The second part  26  extends from the first part  24  at a substantially right angle, although any angle can be used depending on the configuration of the lifter  10  and the toilet  14 . The first and second parts  24 ,  26  may be unitarily formed or separately connected to on another. Different configurations for the mounting bracket  20  may be used, for example any rectilinear shape, curvilinear shape, or various combinations thereof, to conform to different toilets, meet size requirements, or for other utility and design considerations. In various exemplary embodiments, the mounting bracket  20  is unitarily formed with the pedal base  12 . If the mounting bracket  20  is unitarily formed with the pedal base  12 , the second part  26  may be omitted and the first part  24  extends directly from the pedal base  12 . The mounting bracket  20  may be made from a plastic, metal, ceramic, or composite material, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the mounting bracket  20  is made from metal and is coated, for example with paint, to help prevent corrosion. 
         [0025]    A pedal  28  is pivotally connected to pedal base  12 , for example via a pedal hinge  30  or other suitable pivotal connection. The pedal includes a bottom  32 , a toe lip  34  extending from the bottom  32 , and an extension arm  36 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the bottom  32  is a substantially planar member with a bottom surface facing the pedal base  12  and an opposite top surface for receiving a user&#39;s foot. The toe lip  34  has a first curved section extending from the bottom  32  and a concave second curved section at its free end. The toe lip  34  receives upward force applied by a user&#39;s foot. The extension arm  36  extends from the pedal  28  and includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate twist or S-shaped curved section. The bottom  32 , toe lip  34 , and extension  36  may be unitarily formed or separately connected in any combination. Different configurations for the pedal  28  may be used to conform to different toilets, meet size requirements, or for other utility and design considerations. The pedal  28  may be made from a plastic, metal, ceramic, or composite material, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the pedal  28  is made from any stiff, lightweight material. 
         [0026]    The pedal  28  is mechanically attached to a first end of a linkage member and an operating assembly having a lifter and a closer is connected to the second end of the linkage member. According to an exemplary embodiment, the linkage member is a connector rod  38  that connects the extension arm  36  and a seat bracket  40 . The seat bracket  40  includes a first section  42  and a second section  44 . The first section  42  includes a first aperture A and a second aperture B. The connector rod  38  may be selectively connected to the first aperture A or the second aperture B by a user. One or more mounting claws  46  extend from the second section  44 . The mounting claws  46  connect to the seat hinge  48 . In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the mounting claws include a first hook portion and a first tab spaced by a slot for receiving the seat hinge  48 . The mounting claws  46  are unitarily formed with the seat bracket  40  or separately connected. Although the exemplary mounting claws  46  are configured to engage a variety of seat hinges  48 , removable mounting claws  46  may be utilized to allow for connections to different types of seat hinges  48 . The size, shape, and configuration of the mounting claws  46  may be varied to conform to different toilets, meet size requirements, or for other utility and design considerations. 
         [0027]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first section  42  is a rectangular, vertical plate and the second section  44  is a rectangular, vertical plate extending from the first section  42  at a substantially right angle. When connected to the seat hinge  48 , the first section extends outside of the toilet  14 . Different configurations for the seat bracket  40  may be used to conform to different toilets, meet size requirements, or for other utility and design considerations. The seat bracket  40  and connector rod  38  may be made from a plastic, metal, ceramic, or composite material, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the seat bracket  40  and connector rod  38  are made from metal and are coated, for example with paint, to help prevent corrosion. 
         [0028]    A lift lever  50  is moveably connected to the seat bracket  40 , for example to the first section  42 . The lift lever  50  is positionable underneath a toilet seat  52  and is locked in place via a notch or an indent  54  in the seat bracket  40 . In various exemplary embodiments, the lift lever  50  is connected to the seat bracket  40  by a fastener with enough tolerance to allow sufficient movement of the lift lever  50 , for example a bolt or rivet  9 . The lift lever  50  is capable of movement in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane. In various other exemplary embodiments, the lift lever  50  may be connected to the seat bracket  40  by a hinge, for example a living hinge. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the lift lever  50  is an elongate, substantially rectangular member, although different configurations may be used to conform to different toilets, meet size requirements, or for other utility and design considerations. The lift lever  50  may be made from a plastic, metal, ceramic, or composite material, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the lift lever  50  is made from metal and is coated, for example with paint, to help prevent corrosion. 
         [0029]    In operation, the pedal base  12  is placed next to the toilet  14  and the mounting bracket  20  is connected to the base of the toilet  14 . The seat bracket  40  is connected to the toilet seat hinge  48  and the lift lever  50  is positioned under the toilet seat  52 . It may be necessary to temporarily loosen the existing toilet seat hinge  48  bolts upon initial installation of the seat bracket  40  to allow room in the toilet hinge for  48  the mounting claws  46 . In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet hinge  48  bolts are tightened with the mounting claws  46  in place to allow space for the mounting claws  46  to be easily inserted or removed in subsequent installation and removal of the seat bracket  40 , for example without further adjusting or loosening the seat hinge  18 . When connected to the seat hinge  48 , the first section  42  of the seat bracket  40  extends outside the edge of the toilet  14 . 
         [0030]    The pedal  28  is connected to the seat bracket  40  by connector rod  38  connected to either aperture A or B. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , and in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, when a user steps on the pedal  28  and applies downward pressure, the pedal  28  is pivoted towards the pedal base  12 , moving the extension arm  36  and the connector rod  38  downward, pulling down the first section  42  of the seat bracket  40 , and pivoting the seat bracket  40  on the toilet hinge  48 . As the seat bracket  40  pivots, the lift lever  50  raises the toilet seat  52  to a raised position. When the toilet seat is raised, a user may move their foot upwards, applying force to the toe lip  34  and lifting the pedal  28 . Upward movement of the pedal  28  moves the extension arm  36  and the connector rod  38  upward, which pushes up the first section  42  of the seat bracket  40  and moves the lift lever  50  back towards the toilet  14 . The rotation of the seat bracket  40  to its initial position causes it to engage the toilet seat  52  and move the toilet seat  52  to an initial or lowered position. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , placement of connector rod  38  in aperture A causes the lift lever  50  to lift the toilet seat  52  to a less than vertical position so that the toilet seat  52  returns to the lowered position upon removal of the force from user&#39;s foot. As shown in  FIG. 5 , placement of connector rod  38  in aperture B lifts the toilet seat  52  to a beyond vertical position, for example with the toilet seat  52  resting against the toilet tank  56 , so that toilet seat  52  remains raised when force from a user&#39;s foot is removed. The seat  52  is then lowered by a user moving the pedal  28  upward. 
         [0032]    Accordingly, the various exemplary embodiments described provide a toilet seat lifting and lowering device using a single pedal  28  and a user option for the seat  52  to automatically return to a lowered position or for the seat  52  to return to a lowered position by application of a force to the toe lip  34 . The single pedal  28  is capable of both raising and lowering a toilet seat  52 . The various exemplary embodiments described also provide a device capable of being installed and removed for ease of use and maintenance (e.g., cleaning) of the toilet  14 . In various exemplary embodiments, the lifter device  10  is configured to retro-fit to existing toilet seats. The lifter device  10  allows user to avoid/minimize physical skin contact (disease transmission) and prevent strenuous effort/exertion of back, spine, shoulders etc. required to manually lower and raise a toilet seat  52 . 
         [0033]    In various exemplary embodiments, the pedal base  12  is not mounted to the toilet  14 . For example, the pedal base  12  could be sufficiently heavy to provide stability and prevent movement during use. In another alternative embodiment, the pedal base  12  is secured to the floor, for example using a mechanical connection such as fasteners, or an adhesive connection such as tape or glue. Although the exemplary embodiments depict a lifter  10  configured to be positioned on the right side of the toilet  14 , the lifter  10  may be configured to be positioned on the left side of the toilet  14  or configured to be selectively positioned on either side of the toilet  14  by a user. 
         [0034]    The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodiments has been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Any of the embodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with one another to form various additional embodiments not specifically disclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope of the appended claims. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way. 
         [0035]    As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptors are intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the structure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particular position or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or “approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments.