Patent Abstract:
Devices, apparatus, and methods of using a solar powered, battery operated, light sensitive toilet seat LED (light emitting diode) lid light device that removably clamps to an edge of the outside toilet seat lid. A solar panel is visible on outside of toilet seat is used to recharge a battery in the device. The underside of device contains the secured battery, circuit board, mercury switch and photocell. When the lid and device are in upright position the mercury switch closes. The photocell senses absence of light and the LED light illuminates the toilet bowl and surrounding area.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This invention claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/341,250 filed Mar. 29, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to lights, in particular to clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for clipping on toilet seat lids for illuminating the toilet bowl and surrounding areas after the seat is raised, and the light shut off when the seat is lowered. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Many devices have been proposed over the years to illuminate a toilet during the night or in a dark room. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. D263,629 to Collins; 4,413,364 to Bittaker; 4,736,471 to Johnson; 4,860,178 to Picon; 5,003,648 to Anderson; 5,150,962 to Rauschenberger; 5,136,476 to Horn; 5,263,209 to Paltee; 5,513,397 to Terry; 5,664,867 to Martin; D382,360 to Bixby; 5,611,089 to Cretors; D397,465 to Youri; 5,819,330 to Yokel; 6,003,160 to Seidle; 7,036,158 to Bradford; and D571,031 to Perkins. See also for example, U.S. Published Patent Applications: 2004/0184273 to Reynolds and 2005/0108819 to Bradford, II et al. However, there are many problems in the prior art. 
     For example, some prior art devices require the light to be attached to locations that become unsanitary in short periods of time, such as to the rim edges on the toilet bowl, placed directly on the seat and hinged to back of the toilet. 
     Many of the devices of the prior art require battery only power sources that cannot be recharged and require a constant change of batteries overtime. Additionally, it usually becomes known the battery needs to be changed when the light is not able to turn on during the an actual night-time or dark operating condition, when the light source is most needed to work. 
     Some of the prior art further requires motion sensing to activate the light source. Some prior art requires large non-aesthetic light sources that appear obtrusive. Some prior art devices require substantial amounts of component assembly and installation and extra time to install. Some of the devices would be expensive to purchase and/or assemble. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for toilet seat lids that are simple to install, self contained, low maintenance, solar powered battery run toilet lights. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods that clamp onto the toilet seat lids, and that will assist people to keep the toilet lid in the down position when not in use. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for toilets that will benefit toilet training, mess prevention and is least subject to unsanitary contamination. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for toilets for helping achieve eye adjustment late at night to use the bathroom then returning with uninterrupted sleep. 
     A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods that is nonobtrusive to provide a light in bathrooms so that small children will find the room less frightening, and which gives children the incentive of using the bathroom with confidence when they can see what they are doing. 
     A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for toilets that is able to provide the elderly with a toilet light device for seeing in the dark in the evening hours or in the middle of the night. 
     A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for illuminating toilets, that requires no assembly and installation time. 
     An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for illuminating toilets that only requires clamping the device on the toilet lid, lowering the lid, and allowing for solar light energy to recharge the battery and begin use. 
     An ninth objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for illuminating toilets that is easily transportable, to be moved from one location to another, such as when a person travels to another location with or without children. 
     An tenth objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for illuminating toilets that is easily usable with different sizes and types of toilets. 
     An eleventh objective of the present invention is to provide novel clip on solar powered light devices, apparatus and methods for illuminating toilets, that is out of the way from being in contact with germs. 
     The invention relates to a solar toilet light device which clamps on the top of the toilet lid. When positioned up the lid will illuminate the area surrounding the toilet bowl. The toilet seat lid light, comprised by a clamp, which affixes the device on the long side of a metal, preferably stainless steel, clamp, containing the removable power source. The power source and circuit board containing the LED light, and the electrical connection by a ball switch, which is on when the lid is in the upright position. 
     A photo cell can be located on top of the clamp to let the LED light illuminate when surrounding exterior light has been turned off or during evening or night-time conditions. On the top of the lid, the solar panel charges the battery when light is present on the solar panel. The LED light bulb can be positioned on the front side of clamp as to when on it lights the area in and around the toilet bowl. 
     When the toilet seat lid is lowered the ball switch, turns the power off to the light. The solar panel and glow are visible. The solar panel charges the battery and the glow is there to make it easy to find the toilet in the dark. The clamp is positioned on the toilet seat lid on the top leading edge and has photo cell to sense light located on the edge. On the inside of toilet seat lid clamp is the light housing containing the battery, circuit board, and ball switch. On the outside of the toilet seat lid clamp is the solar panel for recharging and glow for easy to find in dark situations. 
     The present new invention provides a solar powered device attached by a clamp which is placed on the top edge of the toilet seat Lid. The underside of device illuminates with a LED light the toilet bowl and seat in addition to the surrounding area of the bathroom, unlike the other inventions that only illuminate the toilet seat bowl. The present new invention will illuminate a glow from the toilet lid light clamp, when lifted it will self illuminate from the battery powered LED light and the absence of light will allow the light to turn on and gently illuminate the toilet area for men, women and children. 
     When lowered it will automatically switch off. In the lowered position when light is present it will recharge itself from the top of the clamp, on which mounted is a solar panel. The lid clamping method is to keep light from being exposed to unsanitary contaminations and would be universal for every toilet with a lid cover over the seat. By installing this device on to the toilet seat lid the solar light will recharge the battery. The light can be easily clamped on to the toilet lid, the light body is positioned visibly underside the seat lid. When the lid is lowered the other side of the clamp displays the glow and solar panel. The solar panel is to recharge the battery is located on the underside of the clamp. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the toilet lid light device of the present invention clamped to a toilet seat lid on a toilet. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the toilet lid light device installed on the top and underside of the toilet lid, representing the placement of light illuminating the toilet bowl and the surrounding area around the bowl. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the toilet lid light device of the preceding figures with a partial cross-sectional view of the interior components. 
         FIG. 4  is a back view of toilet lid device of  FIG. 3  showing the solar panel, back panel, and screws to hold the panel in place. 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of toilet lid device of  FIG. 4  showing the interior components. 
         FIG. 6  is an electrical schematic of the toilet lid device with circuit board components. 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the lid attached toilet lid device with the lid in a down position. 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective view of the lid attached toilet lid device with the lid in a fully raised position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     A listing of the components will now be described. Listed below is a guide in which the mechanical components match the device. Numbers are as following reference to  FIG. 1-6 ;
       10 -Light Device     20 -Battery (One Double AA)     30 -Circuit Board     31 -Condenser 50 volt 2.2     32 -LED (white LED preferred)     33 -Resistor 200 ohm     34 -DIOAD     35 -Solid State Relay     36 -Photocell circuit side     37 -Resistor 51K     38 -Switched side of relay     39 -Pos switched side of circuit board     40 -Positive battery side of circuit board     41 -negative side of circuit board     42 -LED power side of circuit board     50 -Stainless steel clamp     52 -first leg     53 -connecting midportion     54 -second leg     60 -Solar Panel     61 -Metal Screws     62 -Back panel to hold battery     63 -Mounting hole     64 -Solar panel DIOAD     70 -Photocell for light switch     75 -Connector Wire     80 -plastic body mold housing     90 -spring in side battery case to hold battery in place     95 -mercury switch     96 -contact point circuit board     100 -Toilet/Toilet Bowl     110 -Toilet Seat     111 -Interior of toilet bowl     120 -Toilet Seat Lid   

       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the toilet lid light device  10  of the present invention clamped to a toilet seat lid  120  that is hingedly attached to a toilet  100 . The solar lid light device  10  is intended to be removably clamped to the top edge of toilet lid  120 . When the toilet lid  120  is in an upright position, light is emitted from LED  32  in the direction of the interior  111  of the toilet bowl  100  and also around the exterior of the toilet  100  and on the toilet seat  110 . 
       FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the toilet lid light device  10  installed on the top and underside of the toilet lid  120 , representing the placement of light illuminating the toilet bowl  100  and the surrounding area around the bowl  100 . The solar panel  60  is shown facing upward and outward and the components inside the device  10  are facing on the underside of toilet lid  120 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the toilet lid light device of the preceding figures with a partial cross-sectional view of the interior components. Device  10  is shown with the clamp  50  on top, visible photo cell light  70 , attached to a stainless steel device to house the circuit board  30  and its components, which include battery  20 , LED  32  and Mercury switch  95  and contact  96  on the circuit board  30 . 
       FIG. 4  is a back view of toilet lid device  10  of  FIG. 3  showing the solar panel  60 , battery closing back panel  62 , and screws  61  to hold the panel  62  in place.  FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of toilet lid device of  FIG. 4  showing the interior components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the device  10  removably attaches to the underside  120  of toilet seat lid by the clamp  50 . Screws  61  are provided to remove the cover  62  of the housing in order to access the internal components of the circuit board as well the battery  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the side view of device  10  showing the solar panel  60  attached to leg  54  of the stainless steel clamp  50  which is attached to the front side components such LED  32 , battery  20 , and the circuit board  30 . Back side showing the screws  61  which secure the back panel  62  which secures the battery  20  in place. The stainless steel clamp  50  can also has the photocell and connector wire  75  attached. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the lid light device  10  can be clamped on the top of toilet lid  120  by clamp  50  that can be a formed from a bent or U-shaped stainless steel having a first leg  52  and a second leg  54  with connecting midportion  53  therebetween. Each of the legs  52  and  54  can have a rectangular configuration and have a width of approximately 2 to approximately 5 inches and each leg can have a thickness of approximately ⅛ to approximately ¼ inch thick. The second leg  54  is substantially shorter in length than the first leg  52 . For example, the second leg  54  can have a length of less than half the length of the first leg  52 . For example, if the first leg  52  is approximately 7 inches long, the second leg can be approximately 2½ inches long. The second leg  54  can be parallel to the first leg  52  or have an outer end slightly inwardly bent. The clamp  50  can be malleable to clamp onto the edge of a toilet seat lid. Alternatively, the clamp  50  can be one piece molded from plastic and the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , spring  90  is inside the cover  62  and is used to hold the battery  20  in place. A housing  80  such as a plastic body mold housing can enclose the components that include the battery  20 . 
       FIG. 6  is an electrical schematic of the toilet lid device  10  with circuit board components. The battery  20  stores the power for the circuit board  30  (CB) the battery  20  is charged by the solar panel  60  which has a diode  64  to prevent power loss from solar panel  60 . The battery  20  powers the circuit board  30  through the positive battery side  40  of the circuit board  30  and the negative side  41  of the circuit board  30 . When power comes through the circuit board  30  it comes through positive side  40  on the circuit board  30  to the mercury switch  95 . When the mercury switch  95  is in the upright position, the mercury switch  95  closes and lets power go to side  96  side of board  30  and sends power through the positive switched side  39  of the circuit board (CB)  39  to the solid state relay  35  and continues to the photo cell  70  that senses light in the area of the lid light device  10 . 
     When the photo cell  70  does not sense light it sends power through photocell circuit side  36  with the help of resistor  33  to the solid state relay  35  and closes the solid state relay  35 . (Resistor  37  helps energize the power side (positive side  42 ) of the LED  32 ). This sends power through the switched side  38  of the relay  35  to the diode  34  which prevents power from back feeding the solid state relay  35 . And in conjunction with the condenser  31  the LED  32  will illuminate with the ground side  41  of the circuit board  30  to the negative side  41  of the circuit board  30 , and back to the said battery  20 . When exterior light is present, the solar panel  60  continuously charges the battery  20 . Light can come from sunlight and/or incandescent light or fluorescent light sources. 
       FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the lid attached toilet lid device  10  with the lid  120  in a down position.  FIG. 8  is another perspective view of the lid attached toilet lid device  10  with the lid  120  in a fully raised position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , when the toilet lid  120  is in the lowered position (horizontal), the mercury switch  95  is open and the LED  32  is powered off. Lifting the toilet lid  120  to the upper raised position (vertical), causes the mercury switch  95  to close allowing power  96  to activate the LED  32  to emit light. Lowering the lid turns the switch  95  to an open position turning the LED  32  off. 
     Although a mercury switch is described, the invention can work with other types of switches, such as a metal ball and contact switch and other types tilt switches, and the like. 
     While the device is described as having one white LED, the invention can use colored LEDS, and can have plural LEDs as needed. While the battery is listed as a double AA battery, the invention can be powered by other batteries such as but not limited to AAA batteries, nine volt batteries, and the like. While the preferred device is shown as an attachable device to toilet lids, the invention can be molded into a toilet lid as one piece with the lid, where the device cannot be separately removed. 
     Although the described embodiment is described as using stainless steel, the invention can be done in other materials, such as but not limited to molded plastic and the like. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5