Lifting device for lifting and locking a toilet seat

Abstract

A suction cup assembly enables user to lift and lock toilet seat with a single hand in a single continuous action without making a hand contact with the toilet seat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present invention relates to a lifting device and methods for lifting and locking a toilet seat without making a hand contact with the toilet seat.

For sanitary reason, numerous attempts have been made in prior art for lifting a toilet seat without making a hand contact with the under-side of toilet seat, where is likely to be contaminated during toilet usage. For example, some prior attempts proposed an unconventional shape or construction of toilet seat that provides a finger landing area distanced from the under-side of toilet seat. Others proposed a hand or foot tool to operate toilet seat remotely. For various reasons such as unattractive appearance, cleaning or maintenance difficulty, space interference, safety hazard, costly and complicated design . . . , all prior attempts have not been successful. Therefore, there is still a need for a simple and cost effective lifting device that enables user to lift toilet seat without making a hand contact with the toilet seat.

Occasionally, a male child or adult may irresponsibly use toilet without lifting up toilet seat for urinating, and therefore causes toilet seat to be contaminated by splash of urine. Male user may intentionally do so because he is reluctant to touch toilet seat for sanitary reason. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a locking device for interlocking toilet seat and toilet lid together as a combined unit in lie-down position, which forces male user to lift up toilet seat by lifting up the combined unit before urinating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of present invention is to provide a lifting device and method for lifting a toilet seat with a single hand in a single continuous action without making a hand contact with the toilet seat.

Another object of present invention is to provide a lifting device and method for interlocking toilet seat and toilet lid together as a combined unit with a single hand in a single continuous action without making a hand contact with the toilet seat.

Another object of present invention is to provide a lifting device that is detachably connected to a toilet lid without a possibility of falling into toilet bowl due to an accidental impact force.

Another object of present invention is to provide a lifting device that can be clipped onto toilet lid through a contoured front edge of toilet lid.

Principal techniques of present invention for achieving the above objects are demonstrated as follows: Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, lifting device 2 of present invention is a suction cup assembly detachably connected to toilet lid 3 (FIG. 1). When toilet lid 3 is pressed against toilet seat 4 in lie-down position (FIG. 2), suction cup 5 of lifting device 2 is depressed to a vacuum state, which causes toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 to be interlocked together as a combined unit in lie-down position. User can then lift up toilet seat 4 by holding the front edge of toilet lid 3 and lifting up the combined unit (FIG. 3). Clearly, user is able to lift up toilet seat 4 with a single hand in a single continuous press-down-and-lift-up action without making a hand contact with toilet seat 4.

User can restore the combined unit (FIG. 2) to the initial condition (FIG. 1) by firstly holding front edge of toilet lid 3, secondly pulling (i.e. triggering) the release strip 6 of lifting device 2 with a finger that vents off vacuum in suction cup 5 for disengaging toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 as separate units, and thirdly rotating toilet lid 3 to lift-up position. Clearly, user is able to restore the combined unit (FIG. 2) to the initial condition (FIG. 1) with a single hand in a single continuous hold-and-pull-trigger-and-lift-up action without making a hand contact with toilet seat 3.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of a toilet seat assembly, in which, the lifting device of present invention is detachably connected to toilet lid adjacent to the contoured front edge of toilet lid, and toilet seat and toilet lid are in lie-down and lift-up positions respectively.

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of a toilet seat assembly, in which, the lifting device of present invention is detachably connected to toilet lid adjacent to the contoured front edge of toilet lid, and both toilet seat and toilet lid are interlocked together as a combined unit in lie-down position.

FIG. 3 is a simplified side view of a toilet seat assembly, in which, the lifting device of present invention is detachably connected to toilet lid adjacent to the contoured front edge of toilet lid, and both toilet seat and toilet lid are interlocked together as a combined unit in lift-up position.

FIG. 4 represents the pre-assembling view of the first preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention.

FIG. 5 represents the pre-assembling view of the second preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention.

FIG. 6 represents the pre-assembling view of the third preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention.

FIG. 7 represents the pre-assembling view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention.

FIG. 8 represents the pre-assembling view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that the lifting device 2 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 represents the fourth preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention, which is shown in details in FIG. 7. FIG. 1 represents the first usage condition of toilet 1 for normal usage by a male or female user, in which, lifting device 2 is a suction cup assembly detachably connected to toilet lid 3 adjacent to the contoured front edge of toilet lid 3, and toilet seat 4 and toilet lid 3 are in lie-down and lift-up positions respectively. FIG. 2 represents the non-usage condition of toilet 1, in which, toilet seat 4 and toilet lid 3 are interlocked together by lifting device 2 in lie-down position. FIG. 3 represents the second usage condition of toilet 1 for usage by a male user for urinating, in which, toilet seat 4 and toilet lid 3 are interlocked together by lifting device 2 in lift-up position.

To convert the first usage condition (FIG. 1) to the second usage condition (FIG. 3), user may lift up toilet seat 4 without making a hand contact with toilet seat 4 by taking the following steps: (1). hold the front edge of toilet lid 3 and rotate toilet lid 3 downward to lie-down position; (2). press toilet lid 3 against toilet seat 4 in lie-down position, which depresses suction cup 5 of lifting device 2 to a vacuum state, and therefore interlocks toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 together as a combined unit in lie-down position (FIG. 2); and (3). lift up toilet seat 4 by holding the front edge of toilet lid 3 and lifting up the combined unit. Clearly, user is able to complete the above steps with a single hand in a single continuous hold-down-and-press-down-and-lift-up action without making a hand contact with toilet seat 4.

User may convert the non-usage condition (FIG. 2) to the first usage condition (FIG. 1) by taking the following steps: (1). pull (trigger) the release strip 6 of lifting device 2 with a finger, which vents off vacuum in suction cup 5 and therefore disengages toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 as separate units; and (2). hold the front edge of toilet lid 3 and lift up toilet lid 3 to lift-up position. Clearly, user is able to complete the above steps with a single hand in a single continuous pull-trigger-and-lift-up action without making a hand contact with toilet seat 4.

User may convert the second usage condition (FIG. 3) to the first usage condition (FIG. 1) by taking the following steps: (1). hold the front edge of toilet lid 3 and rotate the combined unit downward to lie-down position (FIG. 2); (2). pull (trigger) the release strip 6 with a finger, which vents off vacuum in suction cup 5 and therefore disengages toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 as separate units; and (3). hold the front edge of toilet lid 3 and lift up toilet lid 3 to lift-up position. Clearly, user is able to complete the above steps with a single hand in a single continuous hold-down-and-pull-trigger-and-lift-up action without making a hand contact with toilet seat 4.

User may lift up toilet seat 4 and convert the non-usage condition (FIG. 2) to the second usage condition (FIG. 3) by holding the front edge of toilet lid 3 and lifting up the combined unit. Clearly, user is able to do so with a single hand in a single continuous action without making a hand contact with toilet seat 4.

FIG. 4 represents the first preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention, which is a clip-on suction cup assembly 7 comprising of a suction cup assembly 8 and a clip 9. Suction cup assembly 8 is preferably constructed of a single plastic injection molded piece, which comprises of a suction cup 10, an elongated shaft 11, a collar 12 connected to the top end of elongated shaft 11, an over-sized flange 13 connected to the top surface of collar 12, and a release strip 14. Suction cup 10 comprises of a top base 15 connected to the bottom end of shaft 11, and a suction bell 16 having a bottom planar surface 17. Release strip 14 has a bottom end 18 connected to the exterior surface 19 of suction bell 16 adjacent to the bottom planar surface 17, and a top end 20 connected to shaft 11 adjacent to collar 12.

It is important to note that release strip 14 is formed by a closed loop for a finger access. As a result, user is able to hold the front edge of toilet lid 3 and pull (trigger) release strip 6 with a finger in a single-hand action (FIG. 2). If release strip 14 is not formed by a closed loop (i.e. with an open top end), user can't possibly hold the front edge of toilet lid 3 and pull (trigger) release strip 6 with a finger in a single-hand action, and therefore the object of present invention for lifting up toilet seat with a single hand in a single continuous action without making a hand contact with the toilet seat is defeated.

It is also important to note that, if there is no adequate clearance between toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 (FIG. 2), the projection of the contoured front edge of toilet lid 3 will prevent user from pulling release strip 6 in slightly upward direction. As a result, user can only pull release strip 6 in horizontal direction. However, as explained below, pulling release strip 6 in horizontal direction can't possibly vent off vacuum in suction cup 5 to disengage toilet lid 3 from toilet seat 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is necessary to pull release strip 14 in slightly upward direction in order to cause a tip-end opening at suction cup 10 where the bottom end 18 of release strip 14 joints the bottom planar surface 17 of suction bell 11. Such a tip-end opening provides the only means for venting off vacuum in suction cup 10 and disengaging toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 as separated units (FIG. 2). As discovered through experiments, the height of shaft 11 (FIG. 4) must be at least one and half finger width in order to provide an adequate clearance between toilet lid 3 and toilet seat 4 for pulling strip 6 (FIG. 2) in slightly upward direction.

In FIG. 4, clip 9 is preferably a spring plate continuously formed in a general “U” shape, which comprises of a horizontal leg 21, a circular loop 22, an inclined leg 23, and a tip end 24. Clip 9 is capable of generating sufficient spring force when it is clipped onto an object through a forcibly-opened opening between tip end 24 and horizontal leg 21.

The front end of horizontal leg 21 is provided with a central slot opening 25 connected to a central circular opening 26. Suction cup assembly 8 is fixedly connected to clip 9 by engaging collar 12 of suction cup assembly 8 into the circular opening 26 of clip 9.

When clip 9 is clipped onto toilet lid through the forcibly-opened opening between tip end 24 and horizontal leg section 21, the top surface of flange 13 will be forcibly pressed against and flush with the bottom planar surface of toilet lid, and tip end 24 will be forcibly pressed against and in linear contact with the top planar surface of toilet lid. As a result, shaft 11 will be positioned perpendicular to the bottom planar surface of toilet lid.

It is understood that toilet lid is typically provided with a contoured front edge, which projects downwardly beyond the bottom planar surface of toilet lid. In order to maintain shaft 11 perpendicular to the bottom planar surface of toilet lid when clip-on suction cup assembly 7 is clipped onto a toilet lid through the contoured front edge of toilet lid, the beginning of circular loop 22 (where it joints the horizontal leg 21) is formed with a downward slope, and circular loop 22 has sufficient interior volume for enveloping the contoured front edge.

It is also understood that toilet seat may also have a contoured front edge matching that of toilet lid. Therefore, it is necessary to properly distance the circular opening 26 from circular loop 22, so that suction cup 10 will land on a top planar surface of toilet seat (rather than the contoured front edge of toilet seat) while clip-on suction cup assembly 7 being clipped onto toilet lid, and toilet lid being rotated toward toilet seat.

FIG. 5 represents the second preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention, which is a clip-on suction cup assembly 27 comprising of a suction cup assembly 28, a clip 29, and a connector 30 for fixedly connecting clip 29 and suction cup assembly 28. Suction cup assembly 28 is identical to suction cup assembly 8 of the first preferred embodiment (FIG. 4) with an exception. The exception is that flange 31 of suction cup assembly 28 is directly connected to the top end of elongated shaft 32 without a collar in between. Clip 29 is identical to clip 9 of the first preferred embodiment (FIG. 4) with an exception. The exception is that slot opening 25 and circular opening 26 of clip 9 are now replaced by multiple holes 33. Connector 30 is preferably a plastic molded piece having a sectional bottom plate 34, side walls 35, end wall 36, and sectional top plates 37. Bottom plate 34 has a slot opening 38 connected to a central cavity 39. Clip-on suction cup assembly 27 is assembled by firstly engaging top flange 31 of suction cup assembly 28 into cavity 39 of connector 30, and secondly inserting flat leg 40 of clip 29 into track 41 of connector 30, which is formed by top plates 37, side walls 35 and bottom plate 34. Clip 29 can be adjustably connected to connector 30 by engaging dents 42 of connector 30 into specific holes 33 of clip 29.

FIG. 6 represents the third preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention, which is a clip-on suction cup assembly 43 comprising of a clamp 44 and a suction cup assembly 45. Suction cup assembly 45 is identical to suction cup assembly 8 of the first preferred embodiment (FIG. 4). Clamp 44 is preferably constructed of a rigid plate in a general “U” shape, which comprises of a lower leg 46, a circular loop 47, and an upper leg 48. As identical to the horizontal leg 21 of clip 9 in the first preferred embodiment (FIG. 4), lower leg 46 has a slot opening 49 and circular opening 50 for engaging shaft 51 and collar 52 of suction cup assembly 45 respectively. A thread bolt 53 is engaged to a thread hole 54 in the upper leg 48. Clamp 44 can be securely attached a planar object by tightening thread bolt 53.

FIG. 7 represents the fourth preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention, which is a combination of a connector 55 and a suction cup assembly 56. Suction cup assembly 56 is identical to suction cup assembly 28 of the second preferred embodiment (FIG. 5) with an exception. The exception is that the flange 57 of suction cup assembly 56 is preferably in a rectangular shape. Connector 55 is preferably a plastic injection molded “open-end box” comprising of a top plate 58 with an adhesive backing 59 on its top surface, side walls 60, end wall 61, and sectional bottom plates 62, which form a track 63 within connector 55. Suction cup assembly 56 is detachably connected to connector 55 by inserting flange 57 into track 63 of connector 55, so that shaft 64 of suction cup assembly 56 is positioned perpendicular to a bottom planar surface of a toilet lid when top plate 58 of connector 55 is adhesively attached to the bottom planar surface of toilet lid. The fourth preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention provides a lifting device that is detachably connected to toilet lid without using a clip.

FIG. 8 represents the fifth preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention, which is a combination of a connector 65 and a suction cup assembly 66. Most significantly, connector 65 is constructed as an integral part of toilet lid 67 located on the bottom planar surface 68 of toilet lid 67 adjacent to the front edge 69 of toilet lid 67. Connector 65 comprises of side walls 70, end wall 71, and bottom plates 72, which form a track 73 identical to track 63 of connector 55 in the fourth preferred embodiment (FIG. 7). Suction cup assembly 66 is identical to suction cup assembly 56 of the fourth preferred embodiment (FIG. 7). Therefore, the fourth and fifth preferred embodiments of present invention are indeed identical with exception that the independent connector 55 of the fourth preferred embodiment is now represented by connector 65, which is constructed as an integral part of toilet lid 67. In FIG. 8, suction cup assembly 66 is detachably connected to toilet lid 67 by inserting flange 74 into track 73 of connector 65, which positions shaft 75 of suction cup assembly 66 in perpendicular to bottom planar surface 68 of toilet lid 67. The fifth preferred embodiment of the lifting device of present invention provides a lifting device that is detachably connected to toilet lid without using a clip.

It is understood that the above preferred embodiments are intended for demonstrating rather than limiting the scope of present invention. Variations and modifications are allowed without exceeding the scope of present invention. For example, connector 30 (FIG. 5) can be in various configurations without exceeding the scope of present invention. For another example, clip 9 (FIG. 4) or clip 29 (FIG. 5) can be a hinged clip or in a wire form without exceeding the scope of present invention. For another example, connector 55 (FIG. 7) or connector 65 (FIG. 8) can be in various configurations, and have various means for connecting suction cup assembly to connector without exceeding the scope of present invention.

Claims

1. A clip-on suction cup assembly comprising of a clip, an elongated shaft, a release strip, and a suction cup; in which, said clip has a means for clipping onto a toilet lid of a toilet assembly through a contoured front edge of said toilet lid with said contoured front edge projecting downward below a bottom planar surface of said toilet lid, a means for enveloping said contoured front edge, and a means for fixedly connecting said clip to a top end of said elongated shaft, so that said elongated shaft is positioned perpendicular to said planar bottom surface of said toilet lid when said clip is clipped onto said toilet lid through said contoured front edge of said toilet lid;said suction cup has a bottom planar surface, and a top base fixedly connected to a bottom end of said elongated shaft;said release strip has a top end connected to said elongated shaft closely adjacent to said top end of said elongated shaft, and a bottom end connected to an exterior surface of said suction cup adjacent to said bottom planar surface of said suction cup, so that said release strip forms a closed loop and provides an interior volume for a finger access for pulling said release strip with a finger; andsaid elongated shaft has a height that provides a clearance between said toilet lid and a toilet seat for pulling said release strip with a finger in slightly upward direction without interfering with said contoured front edge of said toilet lid when said clip-on suction cup assembly is clipped onto said toilet lid through said contoured front edge of said toilet lid, and said toilet lid is positioned on top of said toilet seat in a horizontal position;

2. The clip-on suction cup assembly according to claim 1, in which, said clip is formed in a general U shape that comprises of a first leg having a slot opening connected to a circular opening, a circular loop, and a second leg having a tip-end;said elongated shaft has a collar connected to said top end of said elongated shaft, and a flange connected to a top surface of said collar;said means for clipping said clip onto said toilet lid through said contoured front edge of said toilet lid is by means of inserting said clip through a forcibly-opened opening of said clip between said first leg and said tip-end of said second leg until said contoured front edge of said toilet lid fits nicely within said circular loop;said means for enveloping said contoured front edge of said toilet lid is by means of forming a downward slope at the beginning of said circular loop where it joints said first leg, and forming an interior volume within said circular loop for enveloping said contoured front edge; andsaid means for fixedly connecting said clip to said elongated shaft, and positioning said elongated shaft perpendicular to said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid is by means of engaging said collar of said elongated shaft into said circular opening through said slot opening of said clip, so that said flange of said elongated shaft is flush with and forcibly pressed against said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid, and said tip-end of said clip is forcibly pressed against and in linear contact with a top planar surface of said toilet lid while said clip being clipped onto said toilet lid.

3. The clip-on suction cup assembly according to claim 1, in which, said clip is formed in a general U shape that comprises of a first leg, a circular loop, and a second leg having a tip-end;said elongated shaft has a flange connected to said top end of said elongated shaft;said means for fixedly connecting said clip to said elongated shaft is provided by a connector that has a planar body, a track for engaging said first leg of said clip in parallel to said planar body of said connector, and a cavity for engaging said flange of said elongated shaft perpendicular to said planar body of said connector;said means for clipping said clip onto said toilet lid through said contoured front edge of said toilet lid is by means of inserting said clip through a forcibly-opened opening of said clip between said first leg and said tip-end of said second leg until said contoured front edge of said toilet lid fits nicely within said circular loop;said means for enveloping said contoured front edge of said toilet lid is by means of forming a downward slope at the beginning of said circular loop where it joints said first leg, and forming an interior volume within said circular loop for enveloping said contoured front edge; andsaid means for positioning said elongated shaft perpendicular to said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid is by means of maintaining a top surface of said connector flush with and forcibly pressed against said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid, and maintaining said tip-end of said clip in linear contact with and forcibly pressed against a top planar surface of said toilet lid when said clip is clipped onto said toilet lid by inserting said clip through said forcibly-opened opening of said clip between said first leg and said tip-end of said second leg.

4. The clip-on suction cup assembly according to claim 1, in which, said clip is formed in a general U shape that comprises of a first leg having a slot opening connected to a circular opening, a circular loop, and a second leg having a thread bolt engaged to a thread hole;said elongated shaft has a collar connected to said top end of said elongated shaft, and a flange connected to a top surface of said collar;said means for clipping said clip onto said toilet lid through said contoured front edge of said toilet lid is by means of inserting said clip through an opening between said first and second legs until said contoured front edge of said toilet lid fits nicely within said circular loop;said means for enveloping said contoured front edge of said toilet lid is by means of forming a downward slope at the beginning of said circular loop where it joints said first leg, and forming an interior volume within said circular loop for enveloping said contoured front edge; andsaid means for fixedly connecting said clip to said elongated shaft, and positioning said elongated shaft perpendicular to said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid is by means of engaging said collar of said elongated shaft into said circular opening of said clip, so that said flange of said elongated shaft is flush and forcibly pressed against said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid when said thread bolt is tightened against a top planar surface of said toilet lid.

5. The suction cup assembly according to claim 3, in which, said first leg of said clip has multiple holes, and said connector has multiple dents for selectively engaging said holes of said first leg of said clip.

6. A combination of a suction cup assembly and a connector, in which, said suction cup assembly has an elongated shaft, a release strip, and a suction cup;said connector has a means for fixedly connecting said suction cup assembly to said connector, and a means for fixedly connecting said connector to a bottom planar surface of a toilet lid of a toilet assembly, so that said suction cup assembly is detachably connected to said toilet lid;said suction cup has a bottom planar surface, and a top base fixedly connected to a bottom end of said elongated shaft;said release strip has a top end connected to said elongated shaft closely adjacent to a top end of said elongated shaft, and a bottom end connected to an exterior surface of said suction cup adjacent to said bottom planar surface of said suction cup, so that said release strip forms a closed loop and provides an interior volume for a finger access for pulling said release strip with a finger;said elongated shaft has a height that provides a clearance between said toilet lid and a toilet seat of said toilet assembly for pulling said release strip with a finger in slightly upward direction without interfering with a contoured front edge of said toilet lid when said suction cup assembly is detachably connected to said toilet lid, and said toilet lid is positioned on top of said toilet seat in a horizontal position; andsaid elongated shaft is positioned perpendicular to said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid when said suction cup assembly is detachably connected to said toilet lid;

7. The combination of suction cup assembly and connector according to claim 6, in which, said elongated shaft has a flange fixedly connected to said top end of said elongated shaft, said means for fixedly connecting said suction cup assembly to said connector is by engaging said flange into a track of said connector in parallel to a top planar surface of said connector, and said means for fixedly connecting said connector to said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid is by placing an adhesive backing on said top planar surface of said connector, and pressing said top planar surface of said connector against said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid.

8. A combination of a suction cup assembly and a toilet lid in a toilet assembly, in which, said toilet lid has an integral connector fixedly and integrally connected to a bottom planar surface of said toilet lid adjacent to a contoured front edge of said toilet lid, and said connector has a means for fixedly connecting said suction cup assembly to said connector, so that said suction cup assembly is detachably connected to said toilet lid;said suction cup assembly has an elongated shaft, a release strip, and a suction cup;said suction cup has a bottom planar surface, and a top base fixedly connected to a bottom end of said elongated shaft;said release strip has a top end connected to said elongated shaft closely adjacent to a top end of said elongated shaft, and a bottom end connected to an exterior surface of said suction cup adjacent to said bottom planar surface of said suction cup, so that said release strip forms a closed loop and provides an interior volume for a finger access for pulling said release strip with a finger;said elongated shaft has a height that provides a clearance between said toilet lid and a toilet seat of said toilet assembly for pulling said release strip with a finger in slightly upward direction without interfering with said contoured front edge of said toilet lid when said suction cup assembly is detachably connected to said toilet lid, and said toilet lid is positioned on top of said toilet seat in a horizontal position; andsaid elongated shaft is positioned perpendicular to said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid when said suction cup assembly is detachably connected to said toilet lid;

9. The combination of suction cup assembly and toilet lid according to claim 8, in which, said elongated shaft has a flange fixedly connected to said top end of said elongated shaft, said means for fixedly connecting said suction cup assembly to said connector is by engaging said flange into a track of said connector in parallel to said bottom planar surface of said toilet lid.