Child's auxiliary toilet seat

• US 5,384,917 A
• Filed: 08/31/1993
• Issued: 01/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wilma J. Epling
• Original Assignee: Wilma J. Epling
• Inventors: Epling, Wilma J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US08/113,891
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 4/235, 4/239, 4/314, 4/661, 4/236, 4/240
• US Class Current: 4/235
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/06 Auxiliary or portable seats for children

Abstract

A new and improved child'"'"'s auxiliary toilet seat for a toilet includes a hinge pin assembly which includes a hinge pin and first hinge members connected to the toilet for receiving the hinge pin. A first toilet seat assembly has a large aperture for adults. A second toilet seat assembly includes a narrower aperture for children. The second seat portion includes a portion proximal to the water tank and a portion distal to the water tank. The second seat portion further includes a first side portion and a second side portion that extend between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The respective first side portion and the second side portion include respective leg supporting extension members which project toward each other from the respective first and second side portions, thereby narrowing the aperture for the children'"'"'s use. A toilet seat cover covers the toilet seat assemblies. A signaling module may be installed on a water tank which supplies water to the toilet and may include a force-responsive assembly that is capable of sensing respective forces exerted by the toilet seat cover assembly, the second toilet seat assembly, and the first toilet seat assembly. A time signaling assembly may provide a timed interval and signal a predetermined amount of time that the second toilet seat assembly is in a lowered position for having a child seated thereon. The time signaling assembly includes a timer assembly and a sounding assembly controlled by the timer assembly.

Claims

1. A new and improved child'"'"'s auxiliary toilet seat for a toilet, comprising:

a hinge pin assembly which includes a hinge pin and first hinge members, connected to the toilet, for receiving said hinge pin,

a first toilet seat assembly which includes a first seat portion and a first hinge portion for connecting to said hinge pin, wherein said first toilet seat assembly is capable of being in a lowered orientation such that said first seat portion is supported by an upper rim of the toilet, and wherein said first toilet seat assembly is capable of being in a raised orientation such that said first seat portion is supported by said first hinge portion, said hinge pin, and said first hinge members,

a second toilet seat assembly which includes a second seat portion and a second hinge portion for connecting to said hinge pin, wherein said second toilet seat assembly is capable of being in a lowered orientation such that said second seat portion is supported by said first seat portion, and wherein said second seat portion is capable of being in a raised orientation such that said second seat portion is supported by said first hinge portion, said hinge pin, and said first hinge members, wherein said second seat portion includes a proximal portion which is proximal to said second hinge portion, includes a distal portion which is distal to said second hinge portion, and includes a first side portion and a second side portion that extend between said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said respective first side portion and said second side portion include respective leg supporting extension members which project toward each other from said respective first and second side portions, thereby narrowing said aperture, and

a toilet seat cover assembly which includes a cover portion and a third hinge portion for connecting to said hinge pin, wherein said toilet seat cover assembly is capable of being in a lowered orientation such that said cover portion is supported by said second seat portion, and wherein said cover portion is capable of being in a raised orientation such that said cover portion is supported by said first hinge portion, said hinge pin, and said first hinge members,

further including;

a signaling module installed on a water tank which supplies water to the toilet, said signaling module including a force-responsive assembly that is capable of sensing respective forces exerted by said toilet seat cover assembly, said second toilet seat assembly, and said first toilet seat assembly when said respective toilet seat cover assembly, said second toilet seat assembly, and said first toilet seat assembly are in a raised orientation.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein:

a longitudinal axis extends through said distal portion and said proximal portion, and

said respective leg supporting extension members are arranged symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said signaling module includes a bracket for hanging over an edge of the water tank.

4. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said force-responsive assembly includes:

a lever arm that is capable of being contacted by said toilet seat cover assembly.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said signaling module includes:

a first visual signal indicating when said toilet seat cover assembly is in a raised orientation,

a second visual signal indicating when said toilet seat cover assembly and said second toilet seat assembly are in a raised orientation, and

a third visual signal indicating when said toilet seat cover assembly, said second toilet seat assembly, and said first toilet seat assembly are in a raised orientation.

6. The apparatus described in claim 5 wherein:

said first visual signal is green,

said second visual signal is yellow, and

said third visual signal is red.

7. The apparatus described in claim 1, further including:

a time signaling assembly which times and signals a predetermined amount of time said second toilet seat assembly is in a lowered position for having a child seated thereon.

8. The apparatus described in claim 7 wherein said time signaling assembly includes:

a timer assembly, and

a sounding assembly controlled by said timer assembly.