Toilet bowl illumination device including audible annunciator for reminding user to move toilet seat from upper retracted position to lower seating position after use

• US 5,748,096 A
• Filed: 11/19/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laurel G. Kaufer
• Original Assignee: Laurel G. Kaufer
• Inventors: Kaufer, Laurel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/752,214
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686, 340/573, 340/692, 4/235, 4/661
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/24 Parts or details not covered in, or of interest apart from, groups A47K13/02 - A47K13/22, e.g. devices imparting a swinging or vibrating motion to the seats

Abstract

An illuminating and annunciating device for a toilet having a bowl, and a seat which is movable between a lower seating position and an upper retracted position, includes an illumination unit for illuminating the bowl for nighttime standing urination. An annunciator unit generates an audible indication which reminds a user to move the seat from the retracted position to the seating position after use. A sensor activates the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the retracted position, and de-activates the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the seating position. The device is attached to the toilet seat or bowl, and the sensor includes a switch which is actuated by the other of the toilet seat or bowl when the seat is in the seating position. The annunciator unit preferably includes an audio module with a recording and playback capability for recording the audible indication as a verbal message, musical sequence, etc. and playing back the indication when the seat is retracted.

Claims

1. An illuminating and annunciating device for a toilet having a bowl, and a seat which is movable between a lower seating position and an upper retracted position, the device comprising:

an illumination unit for illuminating the bowl;

an annunciator unit for generating an audible indication which reminds a user to move the seat from the retracted position to the seating position after use; and

a sensor for activating the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the retracted position; and

de-activating the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the seating position;

in which the annunciator unit comprises an audio module for playing back said audible indication as a recorded audio sequence; and

the audio module is configured to selectively record an audio sequence.

2. A device as in claim 1, in which the annunciator unit generates said audible indication continuously while the seat is in the retracted position.

3. A device as in claim 1, in which the annunciator unit further comprises a switch for switching the audio module between a record mode and a playback mode.

4. A device as in claim 1, in which the annunciator unit generates said audible indication for a predetermined length of time after the seat is moved from the seating position to the retracted position.

5. A device as in claim 4, in which said predetermined length of time is at least 20 seconds.

6. A device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a casing for housing the illumination unit, the annunciator unit, and the sensor;

in which the illumination unit comprises a lamp which protrudes from the casing.

7. A device as in claim 6, in which:

the casing is configured to be attached to the bowl; and

the sensor comprises a switch which protrudes from the casing and is actuated by engagement with the seat to de-activate the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the seating position; and

is not actuated by engagement with the seat to activate the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the retracted position.

8. A device as in claim 6, in which:

the casing is configured to be attached to the seat; and

the sensor comprises a switch which protrudes from the casing and is actuated by engagement with the bowl to de-activate the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the seating position; and

is not actuated by engagement with the bowl to activate the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the retracted position.

9. A device as in claim 6, in which the casing is liquid resistantly sealed.

10. A device as in claim 1, in which the audio module has a capacity for recording an audio sequence having a predetermined maximum time length.

11. A device as in claim 10, in which said predetermined maximum time length is at least 20 seconds.

12. A device as in claim 10, in which the audio module is configured to play back said recorded audio sequence once.

13. A device as in claim 10, in which the audio module is configured to play back said recorded audio sequence repeatedly.

14. A device as in claim 1, further comprising at least one battery for powering the illumination unit and the annunciator unit.

15. A device as in claim 14, in which said at least one battery comprises:

a first battery for powering the illumination unit; and

a second battery for powering the annunciator unit.

16. An illuminating and annunciating device for a toilet having a bowl, and a seat which is movable between a lower seating position and an upper retracted position, the device comprising:

an illumination unit for illuminating the bowl;

an annunciator unit for generating an audible indication which reminds a user to move the seat from the retracted position to the seating position after use; and

a sensor for activating the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the retracted position; and

de-activating the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the seating position;

in which the annunciator unit comprises an audio module for playing back said audible indication as a recorded audio sequence;

the audio module is configured to selectively record an audio sequence; and

the annunciator unit further comprises a microphone and a speaker which are operatively connected to the audio module for respectively recording and playing back an audio sequence.