Patent Publication Number: US-2022233033-A1

Title: Toilet seat lifting apparatus

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The instant application is a U.S. Nationalization of PCT/GB2020/051054, filed on Apr. 30, 2020, presently pending, which in turn claimed priority to GB patent application 1906120.9, filed on May 1, 2019, the contents of each application are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a toilet seat lifting apparatus for promoting hygiene and cleanliness in public and/or domestic environments. The invention particularly, though not exclusively, relates to a lifting apparatus which is retrofittable between existing toilet bowls and seats and which employs a resilient spring for supplying a continuous lifting force to urge a toilet seat upwards away from the toilet bowl. 
     Bathroom etiquette dictates that a standing toilet user ought to lift the toilet seat prior to urinating out of courtesy to a subsequent user. By doing so, accidental contamination of the toilet seat surface can be avoided. Unfortunately, a multiplicity of factors means that this preferred practice is not always adopted. For example, human factors that may lead to toilet seat contamination which is unintended and/or unavoidable include user age, user disability, user laziness, urgency, user germ- related obsessive-compulsive-disorders (OCD), users with different attitudes or hygiene standards, and user absent-mindedness. On the other hand, simple thoughtlessness or selfishness on the part of a user may lead to toilet seat contamination which is in fact wholly avoidable. The problem of contamination is more prevalent in public environments where —unlike in a domestic environment —there are relatively more single-time users who do not have any personal motivation in maintaining acceptable standards of hygiene and cleanliness. 
     Toilet seat lifting mechanisms are already known which urge a toilet seat into an upright position until required for use. An early example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,385 (M Fields) which describes a device operated by a foot pedal to move a series of hydraulic pistons and rods to lift a toilet seat. Apart from the complicated structure of such apparatus, it suffers from the shortcoming that it still requires a user to purposively apply pressure to the foot pedal and assume that they are physically able, and willing to do so. 
     In a more recent example, US patent publication No. 2013/0117918 (Jinghua Tian) discloses an apparatus employing a torsion spring connected to a hinge to maintain the seat in an upright orientation unless forced down by a user. However, the apparatus is not readily retrofittable and would require the toilet seat and lid to be physically separated from the toilet bowl, and from each other at their common hinge, to enable installation. 
     In recognition of the shortcomings of prior art devices, the inventors of the present invention have devised an alternative toilet seat lifting apparatus which overcomes, or at least ameliorates those shortcomings. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet seat lifting apparatus comprising:
         (i) a first member for attachment to a toilet bowl rim; and   (ii) an energy storage member in the form of a helical spring;
 
wherein the helical spring has a variable internal and/or external diameter along its length between its opposite distal ends, and is connected between the first member and the underside of a toilet seat in order to urge the toilet seat away from the first member.
       

     A consequence of the invention is that a prospective seated toilet user must make physical contact with the toilet seat to lower it into a position for sitting. However, it will be appreciated that such a scenario is already commonly encountered in conventional toilet apparatus. 
     Optionally, a second member is provided for attachment to the underside of a toilet seat, and for connection to the energy storage member. 
     Optionally, the helical spring is a conical spring. 
     Optionally, the conical spring is telescopically compressible into a planar spiral. 
     It will be appreciated that, when fully compressed the three-dimensional spatial volume occupied by the conical spring should be minimised to allow a toilet seat to adopt its intended horizontal orientation upon a toilet bowl. In addition to coil shape, other technical aspects of the helical spring may be varied to provide desired energy storage and behavioural characteristics such as, for example: wire pitch, coil gap, helix angle, wire material, and wire diameter. For example, wire diameter may vary along the length of the coil spring in a manner which delivers a more even and/or gentle release of stored energy (with a view to enabling it to raise a toilet seat weight of at least 1 kg), i.e. thus mimicking conventional soft-close mechanisms, but in reverse. The aforementioned technical aspects of the helical spring may be altered in isolation or in combination over all or part(s) of the helical spring. 
     Optionally, the helical spring has a continuously curving central longitudinal axis. 
     It will be appreciated that a non-linear orientation of the spring which closely matches the opening/closing arc of the toilet seat during use reduces unwanted lateral loading at the first and second members and thereby promotes durability of the apparatus. 
     In at least some embodiments, the continuously curving central longitudinal axis does not trace the arc of a circle. 
     Optionally, the first member comprises a generally C-shaped bracket to facilitate its attachment to a rear part of a toilet bowl rim. 
     Optionally, at least a lowermost part of the C-shaped bracket is adjustable and/or inclined to enable it to grip to toilet bowl rims of differing shapes and/or depth and/or thickness dimensions. 
     Optionally, the lowermost part of the C-shaped bracket includes two spaced apart gripping surfaces for securing it in position within a recess on a rimless or non- conventional toilet bowl structure. 
     Optionally, the second member comprises an elongate load-spreading bar for attachment across a lower part of the underside of a toilet seat. 
     During testing, it was established that a means of spreading the energy released by the helical spring is required to avoid concentrated point loading at the interface of the spring and the underside of the toilet seat. Omission of the load-spreading bar risks the toilet seat itself being physically damaged or completely broken. 
     Optionally, the elongate load-spreading bar includes one or more securing members for securing it in position on the underside of a toilet seat. 
     It will be appreciated that the C-shaped bracket and elongate load-spreading bar may be formed from metallic and/or plastics materials (or plastic coated metallic materials to facilitate cleaning and prevent corrosion) and secured in position in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, via screw fixings, resilient clips or fasteners, self-sealing suction cups, adhesives, including epoxies, welding etc. 
     Optionally, opposite distal ends of a conical spring are secured to the C-shaped bracket and elongate load-spreading bar, respectively. 
     Optionally, the conical spring is provided with a flexible sleeve or cover. 
     It will be appreciated that the sleeve or cover will provide a physical barrier preventing ingress of liquid or solid contaminants or detergents that may otherwise compromise the functioning or longevity of the spring and be difficult or impossible to properly clean thus countering the hygiene and cleanliness credentials of overall apparatus. The cover or sleeve may be compressible - e.g. in a concertina fashion. The cover or sleeve may be washable and/or removable. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the cover or sleeve may be provided in a range of colours to match or compliment the colour scheme of the toilet seat and/or toilet bowl. The cover or sleeve may comprise surface indicia such as branding and/or marketing messages. The cover or sleeve can therefore be provided as a low cost consumable item that is replaceable on a regular basis. This may reduce or avoid the necessity for cleaning; and provides an opportunity to change or update marketing messages over the lifetime of the product to generate revenue. 
     Optionally, the widest distal end of the conical spring is secured to the C-shaped bracket, and the narrowest distal end of the conical spring is secured to the elongate load-spreading bar. 
     It will be appreciated that this particular orientation of the conical spring promotes greater stability, i.e. less wobble, during compression. 
     Alternatively, the narrowest distal end of the conical spring is secured to the C- shaped bracket, and the widest distal end of the conical spring is secured to the elongate load-spreading bar. 
     It will be appreciated that this alternative orientation further distributes the load applied to the toilet seat across a wider surface area thus minimising the risk of structural damage thereto. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of retrofitting a toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the first aspect to a toilet, the method comprising:
         (i) securing a first member to a bowl rim of the toilet; and   (ii) connecting an energy storage member between the first member and the underside of a seat of the toilet.       

     Optionally, the method includes securing a second member to the underside of the toilet seat, and connecting it to the energy storage member. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet comprising a toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the first aspect. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet comprising a toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the first aspect comprising a toilet bowl rim, 
     wherein the energy storage member is connected between the first member, which is integrally connected to the toilet bowl rim, and a seat of the toilet in order to urge the toilet seat away from the toilet bowl. 
     Optionally, a second member is provided for attachment to the underside of the toilet seat, and for connection to the energy storage member. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer- readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a 3D printer to print the components of a toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the first aspect. 
     Further features and advantages of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which:- 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of the various components of a first embodiment of a toilet seat lifting apparatus of the present invention when assembled together; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of the assembled components of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows the toilet seat lifting apparatus of  FIG. 1  secured in position on a toilet between the toilet bowl rim and the toilet seat; 
         FIG. 4 a    shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment a toilet seat lifting apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4 b    shows a perspective view of the toilet seat lifting apparatus of  FIG. 4 a   ; 
         FIG. 5 a    shows a plan view of a further alternative embodiment a toilet seat lifting apparatus of the present invention for attachment to a rimless toilet bowl; 
         FIG. 5 b    shows a perspective view of the toilet seat lifting apparatus of  FIG. 5 a   ; 
         FIG. 5 c    shows the toilet seat lifting apparatus in-situ within a rimless toilet bowl; 
         FIGS. 6 a - c    show three alternative flexible sleeve members for covering the conical helical spring of a toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7 a - c    show diagrammatic side schematic views of a toilet seat lifting apparatus of the present invention in a fully open position; an intermediate (partially open) position; and a fully closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the toilet seat lifting apparatus  10  of the present invention comprises an assembly of three main parts. 
     A first member  12  in the form of a C-shaped or ┌-shaped bracket is provided for engagement with a toilet bowl rim (see  FIG. 3 ). The bracket  12  comprises a substantially planar base wall  12   a ; a substantially planar upper wall  12   b  extending perpendicularly from the uppermost edge of the base wall  12   a ; and a relatively shorter lower wall  12   c  extending perpendicularly from the lowermost edge of the base wall  12   a . The lower wall  12   c  is provided with a pair of threaded apertures  12   d  for receiving fixing bolts  14  from below. It will be appreciated that the walls  12   a - c  of the bracket  12  may be formed integrally from a single piece of material such as a metal, plastic or alloy. Though not shown in the Figs, the bracket  12  may be coated with a plastics material for corrosion resistance and aesthetic purposes. 
     The uppermost surface of the upper wall  12   b  is provided with a fixing plate  16  in the form of a bar or rod mounted centrally thereon and extending across substantially the entire width of the upper wall  12   b . The bar or rod  16  may be secured on the upper wall  12   b  by a central fixing bolt  14 . The fixing bolt  14  may extend through a spacer such as a washer (not shown) to maintain a predetermined spacing between the bar or rod  16  and the upper wall  12   b , respectively. Alternative ways to secure the C-shaped bracket to the bowl will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     For example, in the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    (where equivalent features are understood to have corresponding reference numerals) the lowermost wall  12   c  of the C-shaped or ┌-shaped bracket  12  terminates in an upwardly inclined lip  15  orientated at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. It will be appreciated that the inclined lip  15  permits a degree of tolerance by allowing the bracket  12  to grip a range of toilet bowl rims of differing rim wall thicknesses. This alternative embodiment also obviates the need for the threaded apertures  12   d  and fixing bolts  14  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . It will be further appreciated that the base wall  12   a  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    is slimmer than that of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . In some instances, the base wall  12   a  is contoured across its width, either in whole or part, such that it may fit more closely and unobtrusively against toilet bowl rim walls having either flat or curved surfaces. 
     A second member  20  in the form of an elongate load-spreading bar is provided for engagement with the lowermost part of a toilet seat (see  FIG. 3 ). A threaded aperture  22  is provided proximate each opposing end of the load-spreading bar  20  for receiving fixing bolts  24 . 
     One surface of the load-spreading bar  20  is provided with a fixing plate  26  in the form of a short bar or rod mounted centrally thereon and extending across a central part of its overall width. The bar or rod  26  may be secured thereon by a central fixing bolt  24 . In like manner to the fixing plate  16  of the bracket  12 , the fixing bolt  24  may extend through a spacer such as a washer (not shown) to maintain a predetermined spacing between the bar or rod  26  and the surface of the load-spreading bar  20 . 
     An energy storage member  30  in the form of a conical helical spring is connected between the bracket  12  and the load-spreading bar  20 . The aforementioned predetermined spacings between the respective bars or rods  16 ,  26  and the respective surfaces of the bracket  12  and load-spreading bar  20  are selected to closely match the wire diameter of the conical helical spring  30 . In this way, the opposite coiled ends of the conical helical spring  30  can be wholly located within those predetermined spacings to secure them against detachment in the direction of the spring&#39;s central longitudinal axis X-X. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the first end  30   a  of the conical helical spring  30  which is connected to the bracket  12 , has a relatively larger diameter (e.g, 23 mm) than its second end  30   b  (e.g. 15 mm) which is connected to the load-spreading bar  20 . 
     However, it will be appreciated that the orientation of the conical helical spring  30  can be readily reversed. The helix angle and wire-width (e.g. 1.6 mm) of the conical helical spring  30  may be selected such that it is fully telescopically compressible into a planar spiral orientation. The central longitudinal axis X-X of the conical helical spring  30  is curved when in a relaxed (unloaded) state. Furthermore, the gradient of the curve changes continuously along its length such that the axis X-X does not follow the arc of a circle. In one embodiment, the angular displacement between the first and second ends  30   a ,  30   b  of the conical helical spring  30  is greater than 45 degrees, but less than 90 degrees. Advantages and disadvantages associated with the aforementioned technical characteristics and orientations of the coil spring are discussed below. 
     A flexible sleeve  50 (see examples in  FIGS. 6 a - c   ) may be fitted around at least the conical helical spring  30  to conceal it from view and provide a physical barrier preventing ingress of liquid or solid contaminants or detergents. The sleeve  50  may be compressible/deformable, e.g. in a concertina fashion. The sleeve may be washable and/or removable. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the sleeve may be provided in a range of colours to match or compliment the colour scheme of the toilet seat and/or toilet bowl. The sleeve may comprise surface indicia such as branding and/or marketing messages. As shown in  FIG. 6 a   , one option is to shrink-wrap the spring  30  in a plastic material. This is a low cost solution which minimises the amount of plastic material used. An alternative option exemplified in  FIG. 6 b    provides a collapsible rubber outer sleeve that encases and seals the entire spring assembly. 
     The thicker rubber material affords greater strength and flexibility through use as compared to shrink-wrapped plastic at the expense of a higher material cost. To avoid interference with the spring  30 , the thickness of the rubber material means that it must be over-sized and so its footprint is necessarily larger and hence more visually obvious. A further alternative option exemplified in  FIG. 6 c    provide a multi- panelled spring-loaded plastic splash guard that extends into position over the spring  30  as the toilet seat is raised. When lowered each panel retracts back beneath the adjacent panel in an overlapping fashion. Each panel may be manufactured from an anti-bacterial plastic. Whilst this may be the most expensive option, i.e. due to inter- fitting plastic moulded parts, it arguably provides superior longevity and functionality, and presents convenient surfaces for branding or marketing messages. 
     The toilet seat lifting apparatus  10  according to the present invention is shown fitted between a toilet bowl and toilet seat in  FIG. 3 . It&#39;s ┌-shaped bracket  12  is shaped to generally conform with the profile of the rear rim  42  of a toilet bowl  40 . Its upper wall  12   b  rests on the upper peripheral surface of the rear rim  42 ; and its lower wall  12   c  extends under the rear rim  42 . The fixing bolts  14  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) extend through their threaded apertures  12   d  and behind the rear rim  42  of the toilet bowl  40  to secure the ┌-shaped bracket  12  against detachment therefrom. 
     The elongate load-spreading bar  20  is connected to the lower part of a toilet seat  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, this connection is by means of fixing bolts  24  extending through the threaded apertures  22  and into the underside of the seat surface. However, it will be appreciated that alternative forms of connection are not precluded. Connection of the load-spreading bar  20  to the toilet seat  44  is simplified by the curved nature of the conical helical spring  30  which presents the load- spreading bar  20  towards the seat. It will be appreciated that physical attachment of the load-spreading bar  20  to the toilet seat  44  may provide a more robust apparatus which also deters theft and/or vandalism. is not mandatory. However, such a physical attachment is not mandatory since the curved nature of the spring  30  applies the opening force in the correct direction. 
     The embodiments of  FIGS. 1 to 4  enable the bracket  12  to hook behind the recess of a conventional toilet bowl rim  42  (see  FIG. 3 ). However, it is increasingly common for modern toilet bowls to be rimless, at least at its central point proximate a toilet seat. Fitting a toilet seat lifting apparatus to such toilet bowls requires a modified structure as shown in  FIGS. 5 a - c   . The bracket  12  of this embodiment is equivalent to the bracket  12  of the embodiments already described above with the exception of the structure of its lowermost wall  12   c . The lowermost wall  12   c  now takes the form of a generally C-shaped member each end of which terminates in an upwardly inclined lip  15  orientated at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. The spaced- apart lips  15  engage within correspondingly spaced-apart recesses provided laterally of a central rear wall of a non-standard “rimless” toilet bowl (see  FIG. 5 c   ). It will be appreciated that this alternative structure maintains, to a significant degree, the same parts of the brackets  12  already described above. Conveniently, this means that only a single part requires to be swapped out to accommodate rarer, non- standard toilet bowl configurations. This alternative structure also enhances rigidity by resisting rotational forces acting on the lower part of the bracket  12  since the attachment to the toilet bowl is at two spaced-apart positions as shown in  FIG. 5 c   . It will be appreciated that the lowermost wall  12   c  may be variable in length to control the separation of its upwardly inclined lips  15 , thus enabling a single bracket to fit to different non-standard “rimless” toilet bowls with differently spaced surface recesses.  FIG. 7 a    shows the toilet seat lifting apparatus  10  in its fully open position whereby its curved conical helical spring  30  is substantially de-energised having already urged the toilet seat  44  away from the toilet bowl  40  beyond 90 degrees via spring force Fs. Accordingly, the toilet is automatically presented to a standing user in a manner ready for use without any requirement for intervention by a user. The continuously curved central longitudinal axis X-X of the conical helical spring  30  means that the spring force applied at its opposite ends  30   a ,  30   b  is directed substantially perpendicularly with respect to the respective reaction surfaces of the toilet bowl  40  and toilet seat  44 . Consequently, lateral forces at the opposite ends  30   a ,  30   b  of the conical helical spring  30  tending to move the bracket  12  and/or load-spreading bar  20  are minimised or eliminated such that the toilet seat lifting apparatus  10  maintains a secure connection during use. Furthermore, by orientating the curved conical spring  30  with its larger diameter end  30   a  against the bracket  12 , this promotes greater stability by minimising wobble during compression. A flexible sleeve  50  (see  FIGS. 6 a - c   ) may cover the conical helical spring  30  such that the apparatus  10  is visually unobtrusive during normal use. 
       FIG. 7 b    shows the toilet seat lifting apparatus  10  in an intermediate (partially open) position whereby its conical helical spring  30  is partially energised due to the toilet seat  44  being pivoted about its hinge towards the toilet bowl  40  by a prospective sitting user by application of a manual force F M  which is greater than the spring force F S . Conveniently, the prospective sitting user can have confidence that the toilet seat  44  will be free of accidental contamination by virtue of its default raised position. The orientation of the curved conical spring  30  described above means that the initial resistance to its compression is low, i.e. due to its smaller diameter end  30   b  being compressed first. It will also be appreciated that when a manual compression force is removed, the illustrated orientation of the curved conical spring  30  will also provide a diminishing speed of the lifting movement of the seat, i.e. a “soft-opening”. 
       FIG. 7 c    shows the toilet seat lifting apparatus  10  in a fully closed position whereby its conical helical spring  30  is fully energised due to the toilet seat  44  being pivoted about its hinge such that it lies horizontally upon the toilet bowl  40  due to a user&#39;s weight W. The configuration of the conical helical spring  30  is such that, when fully compressed, its coil wires telescopically collapse to lie in a planar spiral, i.e. the conical helical spring  30  lies substantially flat between the underside of the toilet seat  44  and the upper surface of the toilet bowl  40 . The vertical space within which all parts of the toilet seat lifting apparatus  10  must be accommodated (i.e. the bracket, spring and load-spreading var) is typically at most 2 cm high. 
     It will be appreciated that the technical features of the present invention ensure that high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained without the need for any purposeful action on the part of a standing toilet user. Furthermore, the benefits of the present invention can be realised without the need to disassemble and remove a toilet seat. Retrofitting and/or replacement of parts can be performed easily without the need for any technical expertise or special tools thus making it a cost-effective option. The advantages of the present invention include that maintenance and cleaning costs for public toilets can be reduced. 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims. Indeed, it is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention. 
     For example, it will be appreciated that the C-shaped bracket and elongate load- spreading bar may be formed from metallic and/or plastics materials (or plastic coated metallic materials to facilitate cleaning and prevent corrosion) and secured in position in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, via screw fixings, resilient clips or fasteners, self-sealing suction cups, adhesives, including epoxies, welding etc. 
     In some embodiments (not shown) it will be necessary for the spring force of the conical helical spring to be sufficient to lift the toilet seat, yet sufficiently low so as not to overcome the weight of any lid which overlies the toilet seat when the toilet is not in use. In some circumstances, toilet lids incorporate a soft closure mechanism and so it may be necessary to balance the respective spring forces of the toilet seat lifting apparatus according to the present invention against those of any lid soft closure mechanism to ensure optimum performance of those two features. 
     Although the illustrated embodiments show only a single conical helical spring, it is possible that two or more springs may instead be provided to distribute the opening force and/or to reduce the required physical size of the individual springs. Each of the springs may be provided with an individual sleeve or cover. Alternatively, a single sleeve or cover may be provided for fitting over all springs. 
     It will be appreciated that the bracket of the present invention may be provided with features of adjustability enabling it to be attached to a wide range of toilet bowl rims of different shapes and dimensions. The part(s) of the bracket which project under the toilet bowl rim may also need to be adapted to avoid obstruction of the flow dynamics of flushing water. 
     In this regard, although the illustrated embodiments show a fully retrofittable toilet seat lifting apparatus having a bracket which is removably attached to a toilet bowl rim, it would equally be possible to incorporate a suitable connection feature into the toilet bowl rim at the time of manufacture thus providing a stronger and less visually intrusive manner of attaching the energy storage member thereto.