Self-Lowering Toilet Seat System

Abstract

A self-lowering toilet seat system includes a toilet bowl and a toilet seat. The system includes a hinge rotatably coupling the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. The hinge is configured so that the toilet seat is transitionable between a down position and an up position. A lowering device is configured to self-lower the toilet seat towards the down position. A fixedly sealed hinge housing has a delay device therein. The delay device is configured to cause a seat time delay before the lowering device causes the toilet seat to lower towards the down position. The delay device is engaged by applying a seat lifting force to raise the toilet seat towards the up position and removing the seat lifting force from the toilet seat. The delay device is configured to reset the seat time delay when the lifting force is reapplied before the delay device has expired.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-lowering toilet seat system comprising:
 a toilet seat configured to be sat upon by a user;   a toilet lid;   an axle rotatably coupling the toilet seat and the toilet lid, wherein the toilet seat is transitionable between a down position and an up position, and the toilet lid is transitionable between a down position and an up position;   a lowering device configured to self-lower the toilet seat towards the down position;   a mechanical delay system configured to cause a seat time delay before the lowering device causes the toilet seat to lower towards the down position.   
     
     
         2 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , further comprising a clutch configured to selectively couple the toilet seat and the toilet lid such that, when both the toilet seat and the toilet lid are in the up position, the self-lowering of the toilet seat causes the toilet lid to be lowered with the toilet seat, and when only the toilet lid is in the up position, the toilet lid is rotatable independently of the toilet seat. 
     
     
         3 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 2 , further comprising a coupling between the lid and the seat, such that the lid is lowered when the seat is lowered by the seat delay device when the coupling is engaged. 
     
     
         4 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the seat delay system comprises a suction cup and an attachment surface, wherein the temporary adhesion of the cup to the attachment surface prevents the seat from self-lowering to the down position. 
     
     
         5 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein a perimeter of the housing fits within a footprint defined by a perimeter of the toilet. 
     
     
         6 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , further comprising a damper on the seat and/or lid. 
     
     
         7 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the seat delay system is engaged by a user applying a seat lifting force to raise the toilet seat towards the up position and removing the seat lifting force from the toilet seat. 
     
     
         8 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , configured to operate independently of exchange of air from outside of the hinge housing. 
     
     
         9 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , configured to be substantially sealed to prevent ingress of liquids and dust. 
     
     
         10 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , further comprising a toilet bowl. 
     
     
         11 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the delay system being at least partially substantially sealed within a hinge housing. 
     
     
         12 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 11 , wherein the hinge housing is fixedly sealed such that components forming the seal do not translate relative to one another during normal operation, and the housing includes one or more rotary seals that permit rotation of the axle. 
     
     
         13 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical delay system is configured to be disengaged by a manual downward force applied by the user to the toilet seat, thereby allowing the seat to be lowered before expiration of the time delay without damaging the delay system. 
     
     
         14 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the lowering device produces a primary mechanical motion of the toilet seat towards the down position, and a secondary mechanical motion of the toilet lid caused by the motion of the toilet seat. 
     
     
         15 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical delay system comprises a suction cup and a timing surface, the timing plate having a groove formed therein, the groove being positioned such that, when the suction cup is engaged with the timing surface, the groove defines a controlled leakage path to regulate a time delay before the toilet seat is lowered. 
     
     
         16 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the axle is rotationally movable but translationally fixed relative to the housing, and is sealed by a rotary seal configured to prevent ingress of contaminants into the housing during seat rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical delay system is mechanically coupled to a hinge associated with the toilet seat, such that the delay system is actuated by rotation of the toilet seat about the axle. 
     
     
         18 . A self-lowering toilet seat system comprising:
 a toilet seat configured to be sat upon by a user;   a toilet lid configured to rotate relative to a toilet seat;   a hinge configured to rotatably couple the toilet seat and a toilet bowl, the hinge configured so that the toilet seat and lid are each transitionable between an up position to a down position;   a lowering system configured to lower the toilet seat towards the down position; and   a mechanical delay system substantially sealed within a housing, wherein the delay system is substantially sealed to prevent ingress of liquids and dust.   
     
     
         19 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanical delay system comprises a suction cup and a timing surface having a groove formed therein, the groove being positioned such that, when the suction cup is engaged with the timing surface, the groove defines a controlled leakage path to regulate a time delay before the toilet seat is lowered. 
     
     
         20 . The self-lowering toilet seat system of  claim 18 , further comprising a clutch configured to selectively couple the toilet seat and the toilet lid such that, when both the toilet seat and the toilet lid are in the up position, the self-lowering of the toilet seat causes the toilet lid to be lowered with the toilet seat, and when only the toilet lid is in the up position, the toilet lid is rotatable independently of the toilet seat.