Patent Publication Number: US-8117684-B1

Title: Combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device and associated method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/936,693, filed Jun. 22, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to toilet seat lifting devices and, more particularly, to a combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Without need for excessive elaboration, it is generally understood that in at least one respect, whether a person is male or female usually determines in what position, either up or down, that person would prefer a toilet seat to be in for use of the toilet. Generally, a male prefers the toilet seat to be in a raised position, while the female prefers the toilet seat to be in a lowered position for conformity with their respective anatomies. Typically, due to a male&#39;s behavioral patterns, however, it is widely accepted that in at least a substantial number of cases the male will not return the toilet seat to its lowered position after his use, thus rendering the toilet unsuitable for use by a subsequent female user. 
     A toilet seat remaining in an upright position could lead to a number of problems. In many occasions a certain amount of animosity between the females and males in a dual gender household may arise if the females have to continually return the toilet seat to its lowered position for their use. Further complications could arise if a female, in a partially somnolent state, attempted to use the toilet in the dark when the seat was in a raised position. Moreover, a raised toilet seat leads to a certain level of unsightliness, thus, possibly causing further tension if certain members of the household attempt to maintain the bathroom area in an orderly manner. Other problems could arise for a toilet user if the toilet seat was not in the most desirable configuration for a specific user. Some of these problems include difficulty in the manual operation of lowering or raising the toilet seat by persons suffering a variety of illnesses or handicaps, or by small children: 
     In addition to a toilet seat remaining in a prolonged raised position, there is also a certain loss of hygiene which occurs when a user is required to physically make contact with the toilet seat to either raise or lower the seat. As is well understood, the toilet seat and toilet seat area require a high level of disinfecting maintenance in order to provide a relatively free area from bacteria and germs. Since continued disinfection of this area is generally not feasible, a toilet seat will typically not be maintained in its most sanitary condition. Consequently, any user who must physically contact the toilet seat to either raise or lower it will be subject to these germs, and thus, may put his or her health at differing levels of unnecessary risk. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,524 to Veal discloses an automatic toilet seat device which will cause a toilet seat to be either raised or lowered at the push of a single button and further, will automatically lower the toilet seat after the flush action of the toilet. A first switch associated with the device will, when activated, cause the toilet seat to be raised by an electric motor. Once the toilet user has flushed the toilet, a float switch associated with a tank of the toilet will cause the motor to lower the toilet seat. The control circuit controlling the automatic toilet seat device is microprocessor controlled and includes an over-current detection circuit. The over-current detection circuit will detect over-current in the motor when the seat is completely raised or lowered such that the microprocessor will stop the motor from turning. Unfortunately, this prior art example is not designed for lifting and lowering both the toilet seat and the toilet seat lid. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,946 to Yoke discloses a toilet having a toilet bowl and a lid mounted to pivot between a closed position covering the bowl and an open position pivoted approximately 90 degree from the bowl. An apparatus is included for automatically closing the lid, which includes a control mechanism engageable with the lid for locking the lid in the open position when the lid is pivoted to the open position and a timer mechanism for actuating the control mechanism to release the lid from the open position after the passage of a predetermined time. Where the toilet includes a toilet seat pivotally mounted to the toilet bowl between the bowl and the lid and is pivotal from a closed position resting atop the bowl, a timer suspension system temporarily suspends operation of the timer mechanism while at least a predetermined weight is applied to the seat in the closed position. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not include a method for manually biasing a toilet seat and lid to a closed position. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is disclosed in order to overcome the above noted shortcomings. The combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and designed for the simplification of bathroom procedures. The device is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for automatically lifting a toilet seat. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device. It is noted that the term toilet seat and toilet lid are used interchangeably throughout the application. Therefore, the toilet seat may be defined as either an isolated toilet seat or a combined toilet seat and toilet rim throughout the present application. Likewise, the toilet rim may be defined as either an isolated toilet rim or a combined toilet seat and toilet rim throughout the present application. 
     A combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device may include a toilet that effectively has a toilet seat pivotally attached thereto, and a mechanism for automatically articulating the toilet seat from a remote distance such that a user maintains their hands spaced from the toilet seat while the toilet seat travels along an arcuate path defined between fully raised and lowered positions respectively. Such an automatic articulating mechanism is preferably and selectively adapted between alternate operating modes, and each of the operating modes may cause the toilet seat to articulate at a unique and constant velocity along the arcuate path respectively. 
     Such a unique and constant velocity may be selected from a group of unique and constant velocities which may include a first constant velocity, a second constant velocity and a third constant velocity respectively. Such first, second and third constant velocities are preferably calibrated in such a manner that a total travel time of the toilet seat between the open and closed positions is conveniently a minimum value at the first constant velocity and a maximum value at the third constant velocity respectively. The toilet seat may have zero acceleration while traveling along the arcuate path and thereby may maintain a smooth and continuous displacement for prohibiting undesirable jerking of the toilet seat during articulation procedures. 
     The automatic articulating mechanism may include a user interface spaced from the toilet. Such a user interface preferably generates and transmits first and second control signals based upon receipt of first and second user inputs. The mechanism may further include a controller communicatively coupled to the user interface and the toilet seat respectively. Such a controller is preferably responsive to the first control signal when the toilet seat is stationary such that the travel speed is advantageously configured to operate at a desired one of the alternating velocities. The controller further may be responsive to the second control signal and thereby may regulate displacement of the toilet seat between the open and closed positions. The controller preferably includes a transceiver in communication with the user interface for receiving and verifying an authenticity of the first and second control signals, a motor electrically coupled to the transceiver and responsive to the first and second control signals respectively, and a gear assembly operatively engaged with the motor and the toilet seat respectively such that the toilet seat is articulated at a desired one of the operating modes along the arcuate path. 
     Such a gear assembly may include a rotating first wheel which effectively faces a first direction and may include a plurality of pegs extending outwardly from a front face thereof. Such pegs are preferably arranged in first, second and third annular rows concentrically offset from a center of the first wheel and each of such first, second and third annular rows may be mutually exclusive and maintain fixed first, second and third radial distances from the center of the first wheel respectively. The gear assembly may further include a rotating second wheel facing a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. Such a second wheel preferably has an outer perimeter provided with a plurality of spaced notches directly and removably interfitted with the first wheel pegs in such a manner that the first and second wheels rotate along mutually exclusive arcuate paths that are aligned perpendicular to each other. 
     The gear assembly may further include a drive shaft that has a first end coupled to the motor and further may have a second end coupled to the first wheel. Such a drive shaft may be axially reciprocated along a linear path in response to the first control signal such that the first wheel is selectively engaged and disengaged from the second wheel while the toilet seat is stationary and thereby may permit the user to adjustably position the second wheel at a desired one of the first, second and third annular rows. The gear assembly may further include a rectilinear first shaft registered orthogonal to the front face of the first wheel such that the first shaft is coaxially aligned with a center of the first wheel. Such a first shaft is preferably penetrated through a center of the first wheel wherein the first wheel may be rotatably journaled about the first shaft, and the first shaft may further have a plurality of detents conveniently extending outwardly therefrom and spaced along a partial length of the first shaft. 
     The gear assembly may further include a plurality of brackets directly abutted against front and rear faces of the second wheel respectively. Each of such brackets may have a notch advantageously formed therein. Such notches preferably extend radially outwardly from an inner edge of the brackets respectively such that the detents are removably engaged with the notches as the brackets and the second wheel may be slidably displaced along a longitudinal length of the first shaft. 
     A rectilinear second shaft may have a first end directly anchored to the front face of the second wheel. Such a second shaft may further have a second end statically connected to the first shaft and may define a stop against which a leading one of the brackets is prohibited from passing therebeyond. The second wheel is preferably rotatably journaled about the second shaft, and a coupling may have a first portion statically mated to the first wheel. Such a coupling may further have a second portion registered orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the second shaft respectively. Such a second portion of the coupling is preferably statically mated with a bottom end of the toilet seat such that the toilet seat may be pivoted in sync with the second wheel as the first wheel is journaled about the second shaft by a rotational motion of the drive shaft. 
     The second wheel notches are preferably detachably engaged with corresponding ones of the pegs associated with one of the first, second and third annular rows such that the second wheel may be effectively caused to selectively rotate at one of the first, second and third constant velocities respectively. The first constant velocity is preferably achieved by aligning the second wheel notches with the corresponding pegs of the first annular row when the first annular row is seated proximal to the center of the first wheel. The third constant velocity may be achieved by aligning the second wheel notches with the corresponding pegs of the third annular row when the third annular row is seated distal to the center of the first wheel. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, 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. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device, with the toilet seat and lid articulated in a closed position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device, with the toilet seat and lid articulated in an open position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a front elevational view of the gear assembly and toilet lid, wherein the gear assembly is adapted to a first operating mode defined along an outermost concentric row of pegs; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a front elevational view of the gear assembly, wherein the gear assembly is adapted to a second operating mode defined along a middle concentric row of pegs; 
         FIG. 3   c  is another front elevational view of the gear assembly, wherein the gear assembly is adapted to a third operating mode defined along an innermost concentric row of pegs; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a cross sectional view of the gear assembly with the toilet lid articulated in a closed position, taken along line  4 - 4 , as seen in  FIG. 3   c;    
         FIG. 4   b  is a cross sectional view of the gear assembly with the toilet lid articulated in an open position, taken along line  4 - 4 , as seen in  FIG. 3   c;    
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the brackets and detents, taken along line  5 - 5 , as seen in  FIG. 3   c ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of the automatic articulating mechanism, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures. 
     The device of this invention is referred to generally in  FIGS. 1-6  by the reference numeral  10  and is intended to provide a combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device. It should be understood that the device  10  may be used to lift the lids of many different types of apparatuses and should not be limited to use with only those types of toilets mentioned herein. It is noted that the term toilet seat  21  and toilet lid are used interchangeably throughout the application. Therefore, the toilet seat  21  may be defined as either an isolated toilet seat  21  or a combined toilet seat  21  and toilet rim throughout the present application. Likewise, the toilet rim may be defined as either an isolated toilet rim or a combined toilet seat  21  and toilet rim throughout the present application. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6  a combined toilet and automated toilet seat lifting device  10  may include a toilet  20  that has a toilet seat  21  pivotally attached thereto, and a mechanism  22  for automatically articulating the toilet seat from a remote distance which is essential such that a user maintains their hands spaced from the toilet seat  21  while the toilet seat  21  travels along an arcuate path  23  defined between fully raised and lowered positions respectively. Such an automatic articulating mechanism  22  is preferably and selectively adapted between alternate operating modes, and each of the operating modes may cause the toilet seat  21  to articulate at a unique and constant velocity along the arcuate path respectively. The combination of the toilet  20 , toilet seat  21  and automatic articulating mechanism  22  provides the unpredictable and unexpected result of ensuring that a user is never in direct contact with germs or bacteria that may be found on a toilet seat and/or lid. 
     Such a unique and constant velocity may be selected from a group of unique and constant velocities which may include a first constant velocity, a second constant velocity and a third constant velocity respectively. Such first, second and third constant velocities are preferably calibrated in such a manner that a total travel time of the toilet seat  21  between the open and closed positions is a minimum value at the first constant velocity and a maximum value at the third constant velocity respectively. The toilet seat  21  may have zero acceleration while traveling along the arcuate path and thereby may maintain a smooth and continuous displacement for prohibiting undesirable jerking of the toilet seat  21  during articulation procedures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the automatic articulating mechanism  22  may include a user interface  24  spaced from the toilet  20 . Such a user interface  24  preferably generates and transmits first and second control signals based upon receipt of first and second user inputs. The mechanism  22  may further include a controller  25  communicatively coupled to the user interface  24  and the toilet seat  21  respectively. Such a controller  25  is preferably responsive to the first control signal when the toilet seat  21  is stationary which is important such that the travel speed is configured to operate at a desired one of the alternating velocities. 
     The controller  25  further may be responsive to the second control signal and thereby may regulate displacement of the toilet seat  21  between the open and closed positions. The controller  25  preferably includes a transceiver  26  in communication with the user interface  24  for receiving and verifying an authenticity of the first and second control signals, a motor  27  electrically coupled to the transceiver  26  and responsive to the first and second control signals respectively, and a gear assembly  28  operatively engaged with the motor  27  and the toilet seat  21  respectively which is vital such that the toilet seat  21  is articulated at a desired one of the operating modes along the arcuate path  23 . The user interface  24  provides an unpredictable and unexpected result which is not rendered obvious by one skilled in the art because a user may manually operate the toilet seat by activating the user interface  24 . In addition, the user interface  24  provides a visual stimulation, thereby reminding boys and men to articulate the toilet seat  21  and/or lid into its appropriate position. 
     Such a gear assembly  28  may include a rotating first wheel  29  which faces a first direction and may include a plurality of pegs  30  extending outwardly from a front face  31  thereof. Such pegs  30  are preferably arranged in first, second and third annular rows  32 ,  33 ,  34  concentrically offset from a center of the first wheel  29  and each of such first, second and third annular rows  32 ,  33 ,  34  may be mutually exclusive and maintain fixed first, second and third radial distances from the center  38  of the first wheel  29  respectively. The gear assembly  28  may further include a rotating second wheel  39  facing a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. Such a second wheel  39  preferably has an outer perimeter  42  provided with a plurality of spaced notches  43  directly and removably interfitted, without the use of intervening elements, with the first wheel pegs  30  in such a manner that the first and second wheels  29 ,  39  rotate along mutually exclusive arcuate paths  45  that are aligned perpendicular to each other. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3   a  through  5 , the gear assembly  28  may further include a drive shaft  46  that has a first end coupled  47  to the motor  27  and further may have a second end  48  coupled to the first wheel  29 . Such a drive shaft  46  may be axially reciprocated along a linear path in response to the first control signal which is crucial such that the first wheel  29  is selectively engaged and disengaged from the second wheel  39  while the toilet seat  21  is stationary and thereby may permit the user to adjustably position the second wheel  39  at a desired one of the first, second and third annular rows  32 ,  33 ,  34 . The gear assembly  28  may further include a rectilinear first shaft  50  registered orthogonal to the front face  31  of the first wheel  29  which is essential such that the first shaft  50  is coaxially aligned with a center of the first wheel  29 . Such a first shaft  50  is preferably penetrated through a center of the first wheel  29  wherein the first wheel  29  may be rotatably journaled about the first shaft  50 , and the first shaft  50  may further have a plurality of detents  51  extending outwardly therefrom and spaced along a partial length of the first shaft  50 . 
     The gear assembly  28  may further include a plurality of brackets  52  directly abutted, without the use of intervening elements, against front and rear faces  53 ,  54  of the second wheel  39  respectively. Each of such brackets  52  may have a notch  55  formed therein. Such notches  55  preferably extend radially outwardly from an inner edge  56  of the brackets  52  respectively which is crucial such that the detents  51  are removably engaged with the notches  55  as the brackets  52  and the second wheel  39  may be slidably displaced along a longitudinal length of the first shaft  50 . 
     A rectilinear second shaft  57  may have a first end  58  directly anchored, without the use of intervening elements, to the front face  53  of the second wheel  39 . Such a second shaft  57  may further have a second end  59  statically connected to the first shaft  50  and may define a stop against which a leading one of the brackets  52  is prohibited from passing therebeyond. The second wheel  39  is preferably rotatably journaled about the second shaft  57 , and a coupling  61  may have a first portion  62  statically mated to the first wheel  29 . Such a coupling  61  may further have a second portion  63  registered orthogonal to the first portion  62  and parallel to the second shaft  57  respectively. Such a second portion  63  of the coupling  61  is preferably statically mated with a bottom end  64  of the toilet seat  21  which is important such that the toilet seat  21  may be pivoted in sync with the second wheel  39  as the first wheel  29  is journaled about the second shaft  57  by a rotational motion of the drive shaft  46 . 
     The second wheel notches  43  are preferably detachably engaged with corresponding ones of the pegs  30  associated with one of the first, second and third annular rows  32 ,  33 ,  34  which is vital such that the second wheel  39  may be caused to selectively rotate at one of the first, second and third constant velocities respectively. The first constant velocity is preferably achieved by aligning the second wheel notches  55  with the corresponding pegs  30  of the first annular row  32  when the first annular row  32  is seated proximal to the center  31  of the first wheel  29 . The third constant velocity may be achieved by aligning the second wheel notches  55  with the corresponding pegs  30  of the third annular row  34  when the third annular row  34  is seated distal to the center  31  of the first wheel  29 . 
     The device  10  may include an automatic articulating mechanism  22  which is directly connected, without the use of intervening elements, to a toilet seat  21  and/or lid for lifting the seat  21 , as well as the lid from the toilet bowl. Such a mechanism  22  is used for lifting and lowering a toilet seat  21  and lid, in accordance with the present invention. The device  10  preferably includes a standard toilet seat  20  and toilet seat  21  lid, both generally oval-shaped. Such a toilet seat  21  and lid are may be produced of heavy duty materials, like plastic and wood, for example. Of course, the seat  21  and lid could be produced in a variety of colors to correspond with existing bathroom décor, as is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the seat  21  and lid may be pivotally connected to a toilet bowl  20  by way of threaded plastic bolts or screws, which run through the rear of the bowl. A small motor  27  may further be directly attached to the rear of the seat  21  and lid, without the use of intervening elements, respectively. The motor  27  may have roll bars that have a grooved rubber or plastic surface, for example, which is crucial for effectively serving as “teeth” to lift the lid or seat  21  upwards. 
     The device  10  may further include a controller  25  for serving as a transmitter for the device  10 . Such a controller  25  may be rectangular or circular in shape and is preferably mounted to a support surface, like a bathroom wall. A user interface  24  may be located on a front portion of the controller  25  for use in conveniently raising the lid and seat  21  independent of one another. The controller  25  may include a transceiver  26 , a motor  27 , and a gear assembly  28 . Alternately, the device  10  could feature, as one option, a standard power cord, to be connected to a standard power outlet and operating on conventional 110 volts, 60 hertz power, as is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The present invention, as claimed, provides the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of a device  10  that is convenient and easy to use, is durable in design, is versatile in its applications, and provides users with a simple, yet clever means of lifting and lowering the toilet seat, as well as the toilet seat lid. Male users appreciate that by simply depressing the conveniently placed operational buttons located on the wall mounted controller  25 , they can easily lift the seat up off the toilet, replacing it in a similar fashion after use. Additionally, the practical placement of the controller  25  provides a visual reminder to those men and boys who typically do not lift the toilet seat, to do so. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.