Apparatus for lifting toilet seat and lid with friction-based embodiments for regulating differential lowering rate of the seat and lid

Abstract

A toilet seat lifting and lowering device, i.e., one that does not require use of or touching with the hands is disclosed. The invention comprises several improved embodiments for not only making the lifting and lowering assembly more simplified but also for counterbalancing the seat and lid against the pedal. In preferred embodiments the invention comprises a torque transfer assembly comprising two interacting cams that can, depending upon the embodiment used, designed to be self limiting in their rotational travel such that the arc rotation of the seat travels from horizontal to about vertical. The apparatus further has a friction-regulated tension assembly that acts to attenuate the rate of drop of the seat while a separate friction structural arrangement between the seat and lid provide for a differential lowering rate for the lid thereby eliminating inherent slamming down of the lid onto the seat.

1 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus comprising: 
 A) a torque transfer mechanism comprising first and second cams, said second cam having a tooth which contacts a groove in said first cam;    B) first and second lever arms, said first arm connected to said first cam and to a foot pedal, said second arm connected to said second cam and in sliding contact with said toilet seat, said pedal comprising a counter weight; and    C) at least one seat mount, said seat mount comprising a lateral slot for accommodating said second arm wherein said second arm is maintained in said slot,    said apparatus characterized in that when a force is applied downward on said pedal, the first lever arm is caused to rotate translating such rotation to the first cam which displacement of said first cam causes said second cam to rotationally displace and translate such displacement to said second lever arm which in turn forces said seat to lift, and where an upward force applied to said pedal causes an opposite rotation of said first lever arm and thereby translates motion to said first cam which in turn acts upon said second cam to displace and thereby cause the second lever arm to rotate forcing said seat to a lower position.    
   
   
       2 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a lid, wherein said lid is attachable to a toilet in relation to said seat via a hinge having the same axis of rotation and fulcrum as said seat.  
   
   
       3 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first cam comprises at least one groove for slidingly and rotationally contacting said second cam, said second cam comprising at least one tooth.  
   
   
       4 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said lid further comprises at least two friction tabs, said tabs projecting from the under surface of said lid and sized to engage by minimal friction at least two slots, respectively, positioned on said seat in close proximity to said hinge.  
   
   
       5 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said lateral slot in said seat mount further comprises a tension adjusting assembly, said assembly comprising a seat support, a lifting rod slot, and a tensioning plate.  
   
   
       6 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the arc of swing of the seat from horizontal to vertical is limited by a displacement limitation tang associated with said second cam.  
   
   
       7 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus comprising: 
 A) a torque transfer mechanism comprising first and second cams, said second cam having a tooth which contacts a groove in said first cam;    B) first and second lever arms, said first arm connected to said first cam and to a foot pedal, said second arm connected to said second cam and in sliding contact with said toilet seat, said pedal comprising a counter weight;    C) at least one seat mount, said seat mount comprising a lateral slot for accommodating said second arm wherein said second arm is maintained in said slot, and    D) a hinge assembly comprising a hinge pin and mounting bolt fixed in a solid substrate at 90 degrees to one another, said hinge pin having a length to connect to both a seat and a lid.    said apparatus characterized in that when a force is applied downward on said pedal, the first lever arm is caused to rotate translating such rotation to the first cam which displacement of said first cam causes said second cam to rotationally displace and translate such displacement to said second lever arm which in turn forces said seat to lift, and where an upward force applied to said pedal causes an opposite rotation of said first lever arm and thereby translates motion to said first cam which in turn acts upon said second cam to displace and thereby cause the second lever arm to rotate forcing said seat to a lower position.    
   
   
       8 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein an upward travel of said seat is limited by any or all of a travel limit stop in a cam and a surface of the seat contacting a surface of said hinge pin substrate.  
   
   
       9 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said seat has a slanted surface for contacting a slanted surface on said lid with a minimal friction contact.  
   
   
       10 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus comprising: 
 A) a torque transfer mechanism comprising first and second cams, said second cam having a tooth which contacts a groove in said first cam;    B) first and second lever arms, said first arm connected to said first cam and to an electric motor, said second arm connected to said second cam and in sliding contact with said toilet seat, said motor capable of a torque to lift said seat and or lid and lower said seat and or lid;    C) at least one seat mount, said seat mount comprising a lateral slot for accommodating said second arm wherein said second arm is maintained in said slot, and    D) a hinge assembly comprising a hinge pin and mounting bolt fixed in a solid substrate at 90 degrees to one another, said hinge pin having a length to connect to both a seat and a lid.    said apparatus characterized in that when a force is applied downward on said pedal, the first lever arm is caused to rotate translating such rotation to the first cam which displacement of said first cam causes said second cam to rotationally displace and translate such displacement to said second lever arm which in turn forces said seat to lift, and where an upward force applied to said pedal causes an opposite rotation of said first lever arm and thereby translates motion to said first cam which in turn acts upon said second cam to displace and thereby cause the second lever arm to rotate forcing said seat to a lower position.    
   
   
       11 . A toilet seat lifting and lowering apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said motor is activated by an infra red sensor.  
   
   
       12 . A toilet seat having at least one slotted rear seat mount for accepting a lifting rod.  
   
   
       13 . A toilet seat of  claim 12  further comprising a hinge having a substrate surface thereof that is positioned with respect to a portion of said seat when the seat is attached to a toilet such that when the seat is fully raised to an upright position, said surface of said seat will contact said hinge substrate thereby terminating the ability of the seat to swing any further past said upright position.  
   
   
       14 . A toilet seat of  claim 13  further comprising a lid wherein said hinge substrate is positioned with respect to a portion of said lid when the lid is attached to a toilet by said hinge such that when the lid is fully raised to an upright position, said surface of said lid will contact said hinge substrate thereby terminating the ability of the lid to swing any further past said upright position.  
   
   
       15 . A toilet seat of  claim 14  further comprising a seat lifting lever arm inserted into said slot.  
   
   
       16 . A toilet seat of  claim 15  further comprising a torque transfer assembly comprising a double cam actuator connected to said seat lifting lever arm.  
   
   
       17 . A toilet seat of  claim 16  further comprising a second lever arm connected to at least one of said cams, said second lever arm further connected to one of an electric motor or a foot pedal.  
   
   
       18 . A toilet seat of  claim 1   7  wherein said lid further comprises at least one surface for slidingly contacting a surface of said seat by minimal frictional force for slowing rate of drop of said lid onto said seat.  
   
   
       19 . An article of manufacture comprising a toilet seat system comprising a toilet seat comprising at least one slotted rear seat mount for accepting a lifting rod, at least one surface on said seat for contacting a portion of a hinge pin mount substrate for terminating arc travel about said hinge of said seat when said seat is attached to a toilet, said termination occurring when said seat is raised to an upright position, and a torque transfer assembly comprising a two cam actuator for translating linear motion to rotational motion, said cam assembly connected to said toilet and to said seat by a mounting bracket.  
   
   
       20 . An article of manufacture of  claim 19  further comprising a lid.  
   
   
       21 . An article of manufacture of  claim 20  wherein said hinge substrate is positioned with respect to a portion of said lid when the lid is attached to a toilet by said hinge such that when the lid is fully raised to an upright position, said surface of said lid will contact said hinge substrate thereby terminating the ability of the lid to swing any further past said upright position.  
   
   
       22 . An article of manufacture of  claim 21  wherein said two cams comprise at least one groove in one cam and at least one tooth in said second cam.