Toilet seat cover position alarm
First Claim
1. In an alarm for producing a signal when the seat cover of a toilet is left in the open position, said toilet having a bowl, a water tank and flushing means for selectively releasing water from the tank into the bowl, said alarm having signaling means and cover position sensing means for actuating said signaling means in response to an open condition of said cover, the improvement comprising:
- flush sensing means for detecting flushing of said toilet, anddisabling means for disabling said signaling means except during a limited time period that follows initiation of flushing of said toilet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A signaling device is actuated for a limited period of time if a toilet seat cover is not promptly lowered following flushing of the toilet. In the preferred form, an electrically operated signaling device is coupled to an electrical power source through a magnetically actuated switch at the front of the toilet tank and also through a second switch. A magnet fastened to the seat cover closes the magnetically actuated switch when the cover is in the raised position and movement of a float in the toilet tank in response to flushing closes the second switch for a limited period following initiation of flushing. The device reminds users of the toilet to close the cover. This avoids discomfort to a subsequent user of the toilet and assures that small children and pets are blocked from the toilet bowl.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. In an alarm for producing a signal when the seat cover of a toilet is left in the open position, said toilet having a bowl, a water tank and flushing means for selectively releasing water from the tank into the bowl, said alarm having signaling means and cover position sensing means for actuating said signaling means in response to an open condition of said cover, the improvement comprising:
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flush sensing means for detecting flushing of said toilet, and disabling means for disabling said signaling means except during a limited time period that follows initiation of flushing of said toilet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An alarm for generating a signal if the seat cover of a toilet remains up following use of the toilet, comprising an electrically actuated signal generator, an electrical power source, means for defining an electrical conductive path between said signal generator and said electrical power source to enable actuation of said signal generator, first sensing means for blocking current flow along said conductive path when said seat cover is in the lowered closed position thereof, and second sensing means for blocking current flow along said path when the water level in the water tank of said toilet is above a predetermined elevation therein whereby said signal generator is actuated for only a limited time period in response to flushing of said toilet and is only actuated at that time if said seat cover is up.
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10. An alarm for producing a signal if the seat cover of a toilet is left in the open position, said toilet having a bowl, a water tank and flushing means for releasing water from said tank into said bowl, comprising:
an electrically actuated signaling device, means for attaching saidi signaling device to said toilet, an electrical battery, first and second electrical switches connected between said battery and said signaling device to jointly establish a conductive path therebetween when both switches are in the closed condition, a seat cover position sensor having means for closing said first switch when said seat cover is in the raised position, and a water level position sensor having means for closing said second switch when the water level in said toilet tank is below a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
Specification