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Self-lifting toilet seat

a toilet seat and self-lifting technology, applied in the field of toilet seats, can solve the problems of increasing the frequency with which the restroom must be cleaned, male users splashing urine on the toilet seat, and difficulty in maintaining the cleanliness of these public toilets, and achieve the effect of ensuring the cleanliness of the restroom and ensuring the cleanliness of the toilet sea

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-08-23
PAN FEI +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a self-lifting toilet seat. In particular, the self-lifting toilet seat of the present invention includes a spring that upwardly urges the toilet seat from a closed position to an open position. A hydraulic actuator tempers the speed with which the spring upwardly urges the toilet seat to the open position, yet enables a user to easily and quickly push the toilet seat to the closed position. It is also desirable that the hydraulic actuator provide a positive locking system in the closed position allowing the user adequate time to undress and use prior to allowing the toilet seat to lift into the open position.
[0012]Yet, another object of the present invention is a provision for a device to automatically lift a toilet seat that is durable and requires little of no maintenance.

Problems solved by technology

As a consequence, it is difficult to maintain the cleanliness of these public toilets.
In particular, if a male user uses a toilet for urination only and does not lift the toilet seat prior urinating, there is a risk that the male user will splash urine onto the toilet seat.
Needless to say, this situation increases the frequency with which the restroom must be cleaned.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0020]Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the self-lifting toilet seat of the present invention is shown generally at 10 mounted to a toilet 12 and toilet seat 14. In particular, the self-lifting toilet seat apparatus 10 is pivotally connected to a toilet 12 and toilet seat 14 so that the toilet seat 14 may be pivoted between a closed position and an open position and vice versa. Two torsion springs 18 upwardly urge the toilet seat 14 to the open position. As the toilet seat 14 is moved from the open position to the closed position, and vice versa, it rotates a shaft 16. The shaft 16 is received into a hydraulic actuator 18 having a fluid-filled cylindrical chamber 20 and a valve body 22.

[0021]Referring now to FIG. 5, a vane 24 extends from the shaft 16 and into the cylindrical chamber 20 of the hydraulic actuator 18 and rotates with the shaft 16 between the open position 26 and the closed position 28 and effectively divides the chamber 20 into a first side and a second side.

[0022]The valve bod...

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PUM

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Abstract

An apparatus for automatically lifting a toilet seat is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one spring that upwardly urges the toilet seat from its down position to its up position and a means for tempering the speed with which the spring or springs upwardly urge the toilet seat. The apparatus may further include a means to lock the toilet seat in the down position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 743,316, filed Feb. 17, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to toilet seats and more particularly to a toilet seat that will reposition itself in the upright open position after use.[0004]2. Background of the Related Art[0005]Public restroom toilets, such as those found in restaurants, offices, schools and malls and shopping plazas, are used by many people. As a consequence, it is difficult to maintain the cleanliness of these public toilets. This can be especially true in male or unisex restrooms where there is a single toilet and no installed or functioning urinal. Even in restrooms that have multiple urinals and toilets, males frequently use the toilets for urinating. In particular, if a male user uses a toilet for u...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47K13/10
CPCA47K13/10
Inventor PAN, FEIJOHNSON, ALAN B.
Owner PAN FEI