Automated toilet seat system with quick disconnect cable

Abstract

Aspects of the invention are directed to an automated sanitary toilet seat system with a quick connect/disconnect cable. The system includes a sanitary toilet seat assembly having a toilet seat with a first end and a second end, a tubular sheet adapted to be conveyed from the first end to a take-up shaft proximate the second end, and a motor for operatively driving the take-up shaft to advance the tubular plastic in a travel direction. The system also includes a first electrical cable coupled at one end to the toilet seat assembly. A first connector is provided on the other end of the first cable. The system further includes a second electrical cable connected at one end to a power source and providing a second connector at the opposite end. The first and second connectors are detachably coupled so that the toilet seat assembly can be operatively connected to the power source while facilitating rapid disconnection of the toilet seat assembly for maintenance or replacement.

1 . An automated toilet seat system comprising: 
 a sanitary toilet seat assembly having a toilet seat with a first end and a second end, a tubular sheet adapted to be conveyed from the first end to a take-up shaft proximate the second end, and a motor for operatively driving the take-up shaft to advance the tubular plastic in a travel direction;    a first electrical cable including at least one conductor, the first cable having opposing ends, the first cable being operatively connected at one end to the toilet seat assembly, wherein the opposite end of the first cable provides a first connector;    a second electrical cable including at least one conductor, the second cable having opposing ends, one end of the second cable provides a second connector adapted for detachable coupling with the first connector, the opposite end of the second cable being operatively connected to a power source.    
   
   
       2 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 1  further including a reinforced seal at the interface of the first and second connectors, wherein the seal covers a portion of the first cable and the first connector.  
   
   
       3 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 1 , further including a reinforced seal at the junction of the second cable and the second connector, wherein the seal covers a portion of the second cable and the second connector.  
   
   
       4 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first connector includes at least one male prong and at least one female receptacle, and wherein the second connector includes at least one male prong and at least one female receptacle, whereby the female recess receives the insertion of the male prong for detachably coupling the first connector to second connector.  
   
   
       5 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first connector and the second connector include an elliptically shaped base from which the male prong extends.  
   
   
       6 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the female recess is housed in a cylindrical body that projects from the base.  
   
   
       7 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 5 , further including a wall mounted sensor communicably coupled to the toilet seat assembly via the second and first cables.  
   
   
       8 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the power source is located remote from the toilet and separated from the toilet by a physical barrier, the second cable passes from the power source through the barrier, wherein the interface of the second connector and the first connector is at least partially separated from the power source by the barrier.  
   
   
       9 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the barrier is selected from the group consisting of a wall, ceiling, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       10 . An automated toilet seat system as recited in  claim 1 , further including a transformer operatively connected between the power source and the opposite end of the second cable.  
   
   
       11 . A detachable connector for a sanitary toilet seat assembly, comprising: 
 a sanitary toilet seat assembly having a toilet seat with a first end and a second end, a tubular sheet adapted to be conveyed from the first end to a take-up shaft proximate the second end, and a motor for operatively driving the take-up shaft to advance the tubular plastic in a travel direction;    an electrical cable coupled to the toilet seat assembly, the cable terminating with a first connector for detachably coupling with a second connector.    
   
   
       12 . A detachable connector for a sanitary toilet seat assembly as recited in  claim 11 , further including a reinforced seal at the meeting of the cable and the first connector, wherein the seal covers a portion of the cable and the first connector.  
   
   
       13 . A detachable connector for a sanitary toilet seat assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first detachable connector includes at least one male prong and at least one female recess, whereby the male prong inserts in a female recess of the second connector and the female recess receives the insertion of a male prong of the second connector.  
   
   
       14 . A detachable connector for a sanitary toilet seat assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the connector includes an elliptically shaped base from which the male prong extends.  
   
   
       15 . A detachable connector for a sanitary toilet seat assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the female recess is housed in a cylindrical body that projects from the base.  
   
   
       16 . A detachable connector for a sanitary toilet seat assembly as recited in  claim 11 , further including a conductor housed within the first cable for communicating with a wall mounted sensor.  
   
   
       17 . A method of providing maintenance to an automated sanitary toilet seat assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a powered sanitary toilet seat assembly with an electrical cable coupled to the toilet seat assembly and having a first connector detachable coupled with a second connector;    decoupling the first connector from the second connector;    providing maintenance to the sanitary toilet seat.    
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further including the step of removing the sanitary toilet seat to a geographically remote location for providing maintenance.  
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further including the step of providing a replacement sanitary toilet seat during maintenance.  
   
   
       20 . An automated toilet system comprising: 
 an electrically powered toilet device;    a first electrical cable including at least one conductor, the first cable having opposing ends, the first cable being operatively connected at one end to the toilet device, wherein the opposite end of the first cable provides a first connector;    a second electrical cable including at least one conductor, the second cable having opposing ends, one end of the second cable provides a second connector adapted to substantially matingly engage with the first connector to form an interface, whereby the first and second cables are electrically connected, the opposite end of the second cable being operatively connected to a power source, wherein the power source is located remote from the toilet device and separated from the toilet device by a physical barrier, wherein the second cable passes from the power source through the barrier, wherein the interface is at least partially separated from the power source by the barrier.