FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates generally to a restroom device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for opening and closing a toilet seat lid and cover. The present invention enables a user to avoid touching a toilet seat, which may be covered in bacteria, before and after use of a toilet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Restrooms are a cause of sanitation concern for many germ-conscious users. Since the advent of outhouses, and the subsequent arrival of the Western toilet, the cleaning and maintenance of restroom facilities has become of paramount importance, as defecation resources are now shared among users. With every new user, a new variety of germs and bacteria can potentially adhere to the seat. These germs may subsequently transfer to the next user through contact with the skin. It is therefore a common strategy to utilize toilet paper as a means of avoiding direct contact between the user's skin and the potentially dirty toilet seat. It is especially important for the user to protect the user's hand, which is used subsequently throughout the user's day for a variety of applications. Germs on the hands are consequently very easily transmitted.
However, such a method has several potential drawbacks. The paper may be too thin to truly protect the user's hand from bacteria transmission. Further, paper may tear easily, defeating the protective purpose entirely. What is needed is a device that can prevent a user from contacting a potentially dirty toilet seat with the user's hand or fingers. Further desirable is a tool that will enable the user to interact with a toilet seat for facilitated lifting and lowering of the seat and seat cover, so that it is easier to open and close the toilet.
The present invention addresses these issues. The present invention provides a mounted grasping device for improved handling of the toilet seat and cover. The grasping device is on a hinge that enables the handle to swing up and down as desirable for the user. The present invention mounts easily to toilet seats, such that the present invention does not interfere during toilet usage. The user no longer must worry about grasping the toilet seat and lid with toilet paper to keep the user's hands and fingers clean; rather, the user can lift the lid with confidence that the handle has not been contaminated by various bathroom germs and bacteria.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the at least one bearing taken about circle 5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the handle of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the separable fastener of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a tab for a toilet seat/cover that is used to provide an alternative, more sanitary mechanism for lifting a toilet seat or a toilet seat cover. The present invention is also configured to attach to any shape or variety of toilet seat or seat cover. The present invention comprises a flexible base 1, a handle 4, a fixture 5, and a fastening mechanism 6, as seen in FIG. 1. The flexible base 1 is a rubber or other generally flexible material capable of bending to fit the contours of a variety of seats and surfaces. The handle 4 is a graspable protrusion extending from the base that provides a convenient and intuitive mechanism for interacting with the present invention. The fixture 5 is the joint that connects the handle 4 to the flexible base 1. The fastening mechanism 6 is used to connect the flexible base 1 to toilet seats, lids, and other surfaces.
The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to improve the convenience as well as the sanitation of actuating a toilet lid or seat. The flexible base 1 comprises a first base surface 2 and a second base surface 3. The first base surface 2 is the surface which supports the fixture 5. The second base surface 3 is the surface seen in FIG. 2, which contacts a flat segment of a toilet seat or lid in the preferred usage of the present invention. The fixture 5 is connected onto the first base surface 2. In this way, the fixture 5 is positioned opposite the second base surface 3. This ensures that objects pulling upon the fixture 5 are able to pull upon the flexible base 1 and consequently able to pull upon any objects connected to the second base surface 3. The handle 4 is rotatably connected to the fixture 5. This arrangement allows the handle 4 to adjust to various pulling angles during use. The fastening mechanism 6 is operatively integrated into the flexible base 1, wherein the fastening mechanism 6 is used to attach the flexible base 1 to a toilet seat. The fastening mechanism 6 works in conjunction with the flexible base 1 to ensure secure connection of the present invention to a toilet seat or lid.
The handle 4 optimally rotates freely about the fixture 5. In order to facilitate this rotation, one embodiment of the present invention comprises at least one bearing 10. The at least one bearing 10 is a unit which allows for two appropriately connected objects to rotate relative to each other. Also in this embodiment, the fixture 5 is a tubular body. Being a tubular body allows for the fixture 5 to accommodate the at least one bearing 10. The at least one bearing 10 comprises an inner race 11 and an outer race 12, as seen in FIG. 5. The inner race 11 is a tubular shaped unit with a width small enough to fit within the outer race 12. The outer race 12 is a tubular shaped unit with a width wide enough to contain the inner race 11. The inner race 11 and the outer race 12 rotate independent of each other. The first base surface 2 is laterally positioned to the fixture 5. In this way, the fixture 5 is positioned so that interactions with the fixture 5 result in corresponding movement of the first base surface 2. The outer race 12 is rotatably connected around the inner race 11. This arrangement allows the inner race 11 to rotate freely relative to the outer race 12. The outer race 12 is mounted within the fixture 5. This arrangement allows the fixture 5 to rotate with the outer race 12 relative to the inner race 11. The handle 4 is mounted through the inner race 11. In this way, the handle 4 is able to rotate with the inner race 11 relative to the outer race 12. This arrangement allows the handle 4 to rotate relative to the fixture 5 with minimal energy requirement on the part of the user due to the low friction generated by the at least one bearing 10.
The handle 4 allows for easy grasping of the present invention during use. In another embodiment, the handle 4 is an elongated body. This allows for the user to pinch the handle 4 between two or more fingers. The present invention comprises a plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13. The plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13 is a pattern of protrusions that increase the surface area of the handle 4, thus improving the user's ability to grasp the present invention. The plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13 is integrated into the handle 4. This allows the user to better grasp the handle 4 during use. The plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13 is distributed along the handle 4. This arrangement ensures a sufficiently broad area for grasping by the user.
The handle 4 must be easy to use and intuitive. In another embodiment, the handle 4 is an annular body, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 6. In this way, the handle 4 provides adequate room for the user to pull the handle 4 using one or more fingers. In this embodiment, the fixture 5 is a tubular body. This arrangement allows for components to fit through the fixture 5. The handle 4 is looped through the fixture 5. In this arrangement, the handle 4 is positioned optimally to allow the user to operate the handle 4. Also, in this embodiment, the present invention may further comprise a separable fastener 14. The separable fastener 14 is a connector that allows for the handle 4 to separate for looping through the fixture 5 and subsequently reform a full loop upon completion. The separable fastener 14 comprises a male interlocking portion 15 and a female interlocking portion 16. The male interlocking portion 15 is an extruded segment that extends to fit within the female interlocking portion 16. The female interlocking portion 16 is a cut that allows for addition of the male interlocking portion 15. The separable fastener 14 is integrated into the handle 4. This allows for the separable fastener 14 to join or break the looped handle 4. The separable fastener 14 is rotatably connected to the handle 4. In this way, the separable fastener 14 allows for the handle 4 to rotate relative to the separable fastener 14. The female interlocking portion 16 is engaged by the male interlocking portion 15. This arrangement allows the female interlocking portion 16 and the male interlocking portion 15 to engage each other to complete the loop of the handle 4. In order to further improve upon this embodiment, the present invention may further comprise a plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13, which is shown in FIG. 3. The plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13 is a pattern of protrusions that increase the surface area of the handle 4, thus improving the user's ability to grasp the present invention. The plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13 is integrated into the handle 4. This allows the user to better grasp the handle 4 during use. The plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13 is positioned opposite to the fixture 5 about the handle 4. In this way, the plurality of grip-enhancing ridges 13 is positioned to provide improved grip upon the handle 4.
The fastening mechanism 6 may connect to various surfaces in a variety of ways. One embodiment of the fastening mechanism 6 comprises a plurality of elongated fasteners 7 and a plurality of holes 8, as seen in FIG. 7. The plurality of elongated fasteners 7 is a set of rigid connectors. The plurality of holes 8 is a series of generally circular cuts that allow for the addition of an elongated fastener of the plurality of elongated fasteners 7. The plurality of holes 8 traverses through the flexible base 1. This arrangement ensures that various connectors can connect through the plurality of holes 8 to the toilet seat or lid. The plurality of holes 8 is distributed across the flexible base 1. In this way, the plurality of holes 8 is adequately dispersed to provide firm connection to a toilet seat or lid. Each of the plurality of holes 8 is engaged by a corresponding fastener from the plurality of elongated fasteners 7. This arrangement results in the flexible base 1 being joined to a toilet seat or lid by the plurality of elongated fasteners 7 through the plurality of holes 8. Another embodiment of the fastening mechanism 6 comprises an adhesive layer 9, as also seen in FIG. 7. The adhesive layer 9 is a flexible unit that joins to both the flexible base 1 and the adjacent surface through adhesives. The adhesive layer 9 is superimposed onto the second base surface 3. This arrangement allows the adhesive layer 9 to connect to a toilet seat or lid opposite the fixture 5 and the handle 4.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20190216274
