Patent Publication Number: US-2011067172-A1

Title: Sanitary-ergonomic toilet seat lifter

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a uniquely configured sanitary-ergonomic toilet seat lifter, particularly suitable for toddlers to the elderly, especially those with joint, ligament and muscle limitations; that is specifically designed to eliminate contact with dangerous microbes, minimize damage to body parts, and be inexpensive to purchase and operate, unlike conventional seat lifters. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Conventional seat lifters are typically manufactured as part of the toilet itself, it is usually operated by complicated electronics having multiple moving parts or can also be made as a one piece add-on device. 
     Such apparatuses and devices however, have several disadvantages. They are expensive to purchase resulting in few people being able to afford them. In addition specialized electronics, like pedals, pumps, hoses, actuators and air compressors, require a highly trained technical specialist to maintain and repair. Accordingly, while out of service due to a malfunction the individual is more at risk of contracting disease by having to touch the seat. Turning to the one piece device, its handle being fixed in one position, forces the parts of the arm to overextend and twist resulting in pain and damage to parts of the arm necessary to lift a seat. Further, each of the previously stated disadvantages discourage many individuals from purchasing and using toilet seat lifters thereby resulting in increased frequency of bacterial infection and preventable damage to the body. The present invention overcomes the previously stated disadvantages of conventional seat lifters by providing a device that is designed to protect the body but is not expensive to acquire, operate or maintain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a toilet seat lifter for individuals, especially those with physical limitations who want to avoid damage to the hand, arm, shoulder and supporting structures. The device comprises a spindle and base including a handle that is able to rotate 360 degrees around the spindle, and is mounted to the bottom side of a toilet seat. The handle is dimensioned to fit the spindle precisely so that it does not bind. Accordingly, when in use the individual&#39;s arm and component parts remain in equilibrium minimizing pain and further damage. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seat lifter that is comfortable to use. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a seat lifter that minimizes damage to the joints and other component parts of the arm. 
     Additionally it is another object of the present invention to provide a seat lifter that protects the user from dangerous microbes. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a seat lifter that is inexpensive to manufacture and purchase. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat lifter that can be adapted to toilets already in use. 
     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat lifter that is low tech and has only one moving part. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of the seat lifter with its component parts. 
         FIG. 2  is a frontal view of the present invention indicating the 360 degree rotation of the handle around the spindle. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a toilet seat with the embodiment mounted thereon. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the present invention relates to an ergonomic-sanitary toilet seat lifter specifically designed to be attached to the bottom side of a toilet seat which is typically round or oblong in shape and flat on its underside  5 . 
     The seat lifter according to the present invention includes a handle  1  specifically molded to incorporate a hole through its center having a diameter slightly larger than the circumference of the spindle  2 , which is inserted through the prepared opening in the handle  1 . This configuration allows the handle  1  to rotate 360 degrees about the spindle  2 , thereby minimizing discomfort and damage to the user. 
     When properly attached with adhesive by its base  4  it can be seen that the present invention is able to protect the user against infection by dangerous microbes. 
     The above described device is preferably constructed with a resilient conformable thermoplastic material such as that manufactured under the trademark CABOL™ or any other similar equivalent. Once a mold is made according to the present invention reproductions may be produced inexpensively according thereto and according to the details of construction enumerated above. When the toilet seat lifter is formed according to the present invention, a smooth flat surface is formed on the base that subsequently is fixed to the bottom side of the toilet seat. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.