Patent Application
20100146689
Present invention relates to an improved toilet seat assembly having a lifting device for manually lifting and lowering a toilet seat without hand touching it, and one way damping hinges for lowering the toilet seat without a slamming action and without hand touching the under side of toilet seat. By incorporating both lifting device and damping hinges of present invention, toilet seat can be lifted and lowered between a lift-up position and a lie-down position without hand touching the toilet seat, and without a slamming action during lowering 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 under side of toilet seat. For example, some proposed unconventional shape or construction of a toilet seat in order to provide a finger landing area (such as a cavity or handle) remote from under side of toilet seat. Others proposed tools or mechanisms operated by hand or foot for remotely lifting toilet seat. For various reasons, such as unattractive appearance, difficulty for cleaning maintenance, space interference, potential safety hazard, costly and complex mechanical parts . . . , these prior attempts have not been successful.
Therefore, there is still a need for a simple and cost effective lifting device that enables lifting a toilet seat without hand touching it.
Numerous attempts have also been made in prior art for lowering a toilet seat without a slamming action. These include damping hinges operated by viscous fluid, torsion springs or frictional devices. However, all prior art encounter drawbacks of high cost, low reliability, complicated design, and/or occupying too large space.
Therefore, there is still a need for a simple and cost effective damping hinge for lowering a toilet seat without a slamming action.
An object of present invention is to provide a lifting device and method for lifting and lowering a toilet seat without hand touching it.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and method for lifting and lowering a toilet seat with a single hand operation.
Another object of present invention is to provide a damping device for lowering a toilet seat without a slamming action and without hand touching the under side of toilet seat.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a damping device without requiring usage of viscous fluid or a mechanical spring.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a damping device that does not create a damping effect during lifting the toilet seat.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping device that have the least cost.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping device that require the simplest installation.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping device that do not affect the overall appearance of the toilet seat.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping device that do not interfere with cleaning maintenance of the toilet seat and the area surrounding the toilet.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping device that occupy the least space in the area around the toilet without interfering normal activities in the area around the toilet.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping devise that do not comprise comfortable usage of the toilet.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping device at a location that is least likely to be contaminated and does not require frequent cleaning maintenance.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device and damping device that are easy and convenient for use.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device at a location that prevents user's accidental impact and damage to the device.
Another object of present invention is to provide such a lifting device at a location that prevents user's accidental impact and potential harm to user.
The technique of present invention for achieving the above objects of lifting device is to attach a detachably connecting device to the front end of toilet lid. When toilet lid is pressed downward against toilet seat in lie-down position, the connecting device is automatically engaged to interlock toilet lid and toilet seat together as a combined unit. This enables user to lift up the combined unit by grasping the front end of toilet lid. As a result, user is able to lift up the toilet seat without hand touching it. The connecting device is provided with a release means. When the release means is pulled, the connecting device is disengaged to allow toilet lid and toilet seat to operate independently as separate units.
In present invention, the preferred embodiment of the detachably connecting device is a suction cup assembly. When toilet lid is pressed against toilet seat in lie-down position, suction cup is depressed to a vacuum state, which interlocks toilet lid and toilet seat together as a combined unit. A release means is provided for venting off vacuum, which disengages toilet lid and toilet seat as separate units.
The technique of present invention for achieving the above objects of damping device is to adopt o-ring(s) to create resistant torque. A ratchet means is provided between the rotating and stationary elements. During lowering the toilet seat, ratchet means is engaged so that rotating of toilet seat in lowering direction is subject to resistant torque. During lifting the toilet seat, ratchet means is disengaged so that rotating of toilet seat in lifting direction is not subject to resistant torque.
In
The suction cup assembly 9 is used for lifting up toilet seat 6. The method for lifting up toilet seat 6 in
After toilet seat and toilet lid being lifted up, they can be restored to
The following method applies if suction cup 10 remains in a vacuum state, and toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7 remains interlocked as a combined unit in lift-up position. First, rotate the combined unit downward to lie-down position. Second, pull the release strip 13 to vent off vacuum in suction cup 10, which disengages toilet lid 7 from toilet seat 6. Third, rotate toilet lid 7 upward to lift-up position. In the first method, user is not required to touch toilet seat by hand.
The following method applies if suction cup 10 has lost vacuum for any reason, and toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7 are disengaged as separate units in lift-up position. Simply grasp the front end of toilet seat 6 and rotates it downward to lie-down position. In this case, it requires user to hand touch the under side of toilet seat 6. Under normal circumstance, this method is not needed due to the fact that suction cup 10 is capable of maintaining vacuum, provided bottom planar surface 17 of suction bell 15 is properly sealed against the top planar surface of toilet seat 6.
According to the above operating methods, there is an advantage to interlock toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7 together as a combined unit in lie-down position (
The above operating methods can be easily performed by user with a single hand operation. Since suction cup assembly 8 is located at highly visible and accessible location, the above operating methods can be naturally and easily adopted by user.
In the suction cup assembly 9 of present invention, the height of elongated shaft 11 is critical. It must provide adequate clearance between interlocked toilet seat 6 and toilet lid 7. The clearance provides an access to allow user to grasp the front end of toilet lid 7 by hand during operation. It also provides an access to the release strip 13, and allows user to pull the release strip 13 in slightly upward direction to vent off vacuum in suction cup 10. Without a proper clearance, the release strip 13 can only be pulled in a horizontal direction. In this case, pulling of release strip 13 can only cause a shear force at the bottom planar surface 17 of the suction bell 15, which can not possibly cause a tip opening at the bottom planar surface 17 of suction bell 15 to vent off vacuum in suction cup 10. As discovered through experiments, ideal height of shaft 11 is between one and two finger height.
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, connecting joints between shaft and release strip, shaft and base of suction cup, or between shaft and flange can be by other means different from an integral joint. Various sizes or shapes of suction cup can also be adopted without exceeding the scope of present invention.
It is also understood that application of suction cup assembly of present invention is not restricted. For example, the second preferred embodiment of suction cup assembly (
In present invention, there is a possibility that suction cup may not sustain vacuum for a long period of time, and thus toilet seat and toilet lid may disengage as separate units when they are in lift-up position. In order to achieve the object for lifting and lowering toilet seat without hand touching it at all time, there is a need to provide one way damping hinges in the toilet seat assembly. The one way damping hinges provide a resistant torque when toilet seat rotates in downward direction. Therefore, in the event when toilet seat and toilet lid are disengaged as separate units in lift-up position, user can lower toilet seat by pushing toilet lid against toilet seat in downward direction. As a result, user can lower toilet seat without hand touching it, and without causing a slamming action of toilet seat.
a first sleeve 29 integrally connected to a rear end of a toilet seat 30,
a second sleeve 31 fixedly connected to a base 32 anchored to a toilet bow (not shown),
a third sleeve 33 fixedly connected to a rear end of a toilet lid 34,
a fourth sleeve 35 fit within first sleeve 29 and interlocked with first sleeve 29 by tongues 36 and grooves 37,
a shaft 38 having an outside diameter conforming the inside diameter of fourth sleeve 35, second sleeve 31 and third sleeve 33, so that shaft 38 is fit within fourth sleeve 35, second sleeve 31 and third sleeve 33 to form a rotational axis of toilet seat 30 and toilet lid 34,
a pair of compressed elastic o-rings 39 fit between circumferential surface of shaft 38 and circumferential surface of grooves 40 in second sleeve 31, so that o-rings 39 generate a resistant torque during rotation of shaft 38, and
a ratchet means for generating the resistant torque and damping effect only during lowering the toilet seat 30.
The ratchet means comprises of four integral flexible projectiles 41 and adjacent cavities 42, which are circumferentially and equally spaced 90 degree apart in interior surface of fourth sleeve 35. Each of projectiles 41 has a front profile end 43 and a rear straight end 44. The straight ends 44 are positioned along a horizontal axis and a vertical axis when toilet seat 30 is positioned along the vertical axis. Shaft 38 has an eccentric stud 45 at the front end of shaft 38, which has a reduced height smaller than the diameter of shaft 38. The top side of stud 45 has a profile end 46 and a straight end 47. The profile in profile end 46 matches the profile in profile end 43 of projectiles 41.
When toilet seat 30 rotates in downward direction, rear straight end 44 of projectile 41 is stopped by rear straight end 47 of stud 45, which forms a positive engagement so that toilet seat 30, fourth sleeve 35 and shaft 38 rotate simultaneously under resistant torque in downward direction.
When toilet seat 30 rotates in upward direction, front profile end 43 of projectiles 41 is flexibly depressed by front profile end 46 of stud 45 in a spring action. This allows front profile end 43 to pass over front profile end 46 under minimum friction, so that shaft 38 remains stationary while toilet seat 30 and fourth sleeve 35 rotate together freely without encountering resistant torque in upward direction.
The above first preferred embodiment can be easily assembled as follows: First, insert fourth sleeve 35 into first sleeve 29, and insert o-rings 39 into grooves 40 of second sleeve 31. Second, place toilet lid 34 on top of toilet seat 30 to line up first sleeve 29, second sleeve 31 and third sleeve 33. Third, position stud 45 in inclined position and push shaft 38 into the assembly from the opening end of third sleeve 33.
In
a first sleeve 49 integrally connected to a rear end of a toilet seat 50,
a second sleeve 51 fixedly connected to a base 52 anchored to a toilet bow (not shown),
a third sleeve 53 fixedly connected to a rear end of a toilet lid 54,
a fourth sleeve 55 fit within second sleeve 51,
a shaft 56 having tongues 57 for interlocking with grooves 58 in first sleeve 49, a step-down diameter conforming the reduced inside diameter of third sleeve 53, and a step-up diameter conforming the inside diameter of first sleeve 49 and fourth sleeve 55, so that shaft 56 is fit within first sleeve 49, fourth sleeve 55 and third sleeve 53 to form a rotational axis of toilet seat 50 and toilet lid 54,
a pair of compressed elastic o-rings 59 fit between interior surface of second sleeve 51 and circumferential surface of grooves 60 located in exterior surface of fourth sleeve 55, so that o-rings 59 generate a resistant torque to cause damping effect during rotation of fourth sleeve 55. Alternatively, grooves 60 can be located in interior surface of second sleeve 51, and
a ratchet means for generating the resistant torque and damping effect only during lowering the toilet seat 50.
The ratchet means comprises of four integral flexible projectiles 61 and adjacent cavities 62, which are circumferentially and equally spaced 90 degree apart in interior surface of fourth sleeve 55. Each of projectiles 61 has a front profile end 63 and a rear straight end 64. The rear straight ends 64 are positioned along a horizontal axis and a vertical axis when toilet seat 50 is positioned along the vertical axis. In the step-down diameter section of shaft 56, a longitudinal projectile 65 is provided on exterior surface of shaft 56. Projectile 65 has a front profile end 66 and a rear straight end 67. The profile in profile end 66 matches the profile in profile end 63 of projectiles 61.
When toilet seat 50 rotates in downward direction, rear straight end 67 of projectile 65 is stopped by rear straight end 64 of projectiles 61, which forms a positive engagement so that toilet seat 50, shaft 56 and fourth sleeve 55 rotate simultaneously under resistant torque in downward direction.
When toilet seat 50 rotates in upward direction, front profile end 63 of projectiles 61 is flexibly depressed by front profile end 66 of projectile 65 in a spring action. This allows front profile end 66 of projectile 65 to pass over front profile end 63 of projectiles 61 under minimum friction, so that fourth sleeve 55 remains stationary while toilet seat 50 and shaft 58 rotate together freely without encountering resistant torque in upward direction.
The above second preferred embodiment can be easily assembled as follows: First, insert o-rings 59 into grooves 60 in exterior surface of fourth sleeve 55, and insert fourth sleeve 55 into second sleeve 51. Second, place toilet lid 54 on top of toilet seat 50 to line up first sleeve 49, second sleeve 51 and third sleeve 53. Third, position projectile 65 offset from projectiles 61 and push shaft 56 into the assembly from the opening end of first sleeve 49.
In
The above preferred embodiments of the hinge assembly of present invention are intended for demonstrating rather than limiting the scope of present invention. Modifications and variations are allowed without exceeding the scope of present invention. It is also understood that application of hinge assembly of present invention is not restricted. Modifications and variations, which allow the hinge assembly of present invention to fit in a particular application, or a particular installation in various size, shape or configuration, are considered within the scope of present invention. For example, in the first preferred embodiment, eccentric stud 45 can be modified to a concentric stud that has profile and straight ends at both top and bottom sides of the stud. For another example, in the second preferred embodiment, multiple projectiles 65 can be adopted on exterior surface of shaft 56. The above modification can enhance the performance of the ratchet means of present invention, if there is sufficient space available for installing such modification.
