Toilet seat lifter with flusher

• US 6,907,621 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2003
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert W. Stemen
• Original Assignee: Robert W. Stemen
• Inventors: Stemen, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIEKER, AMANDA FLYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/411,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20040199987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 42461-2465, 424/31, 424/1, 424/9, 425/0
• US Class Current: 4/246.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/10 Devices for raising and lowering, e.g. tilting or lifting mechanismsthereby controlling flushing valves E03D5/04; Collapsible or rotating seats or covers

Abstract

A mechanism for raising and lowering a toilet seat in response to actuation of foot pedals. An actuation cylinder with a contained piston is connected between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat. Water from the supply line for the toilet is routed to the actuator cylinder when a seat up pedal is depressed and causes the piston to extend out of the actuation cylinder and raise the seat. Operation of a flush pedal causes the water within the actuation cylinder to drain so that the toilet seat lowers. A mechanical linkage from the flush pedal to the flush mechanism of the toilet links toilet flushing to the seat lowering action, ensuring that the seat is lowered after each flush.

Claims

1. A toilet seat raising mechanism comprising;

an input line for connection with a water supply line under pressure;

a seat actuator adapted for moving a toilet seat between a lowered position and a raised position in response to changes in the pressure, wherein the seat actuator places the toilet seat in the lowered position when the pressure is at a first pressure level and the seat actuator places the toilet seat in the raised position when the pressure is at a second pressure level;

a first control for causing a first change in the pressure in the seat actuator from a first pressure level to a second pressure level in response to a first activation input;

a second control operating in response to a second input to selectively place the input line in communication with a drain and thereby causing a second change in the pressure from the second pressure level towards the first pressure level; and

a flush actuator for flushing a toilet in response to an operation of the second control.

2. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flush actuator comprises a mechanical linkage to the second control and operates in response to the second input.

3. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a yieldable member for urging the toilet seat into the lowered position.

4. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a foot operated pedal provides the first input.

5. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a foot operated pedal provides the second input.

6. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the drain is in communication with a toilet water tank of the toilet.

7. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a valve housing comprising a water supply input, a valve cylinder outlet, a water release port, wherein the water supply input is connected to a water supply under pressure, and wherein:

the first control selectively places the water supply input in communication with the valve cylinder outlet in response to the first input; and

the second control;

selectively prevents communication between the water supply input and the valve cylinder outlet; and

selectively places the valve cylinder outlet in communications with the water release port.

8. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the first control is contained within the valve housing and the first control comprises:

a seat actuator piston cavity, contained within the valve housing;

a seat actuator piston, moveably mounted within the seat actuator piston cavity;

a seat actuator cylinder channel that is located within the seat actuator piston and positioned so as to selectively place the water supply input in communication with the valve cylinder outlet based upon the position of the seat actuator piston within the seat actuator piston cavity; and

a seat actuator piston spring for urging the seat actuator piston into a position that prevents communication between the water supply input and the valve cylinder outlet.

9. The toilet seat raising mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the second control is contained within the valve housing and the second control comprises:

a flush piston cavity, contained within the valve housing;

a flush piston, moveably mounted within the flush piston cavity;

an inlet to cylinder channel that is located within the flush piston and positioned so as to selectively place the water supply input in communication with the valve cylinder outlet based upon a first position of the flush piston within the flush piston cavity;

a cylinder drain channel that is located within the flush piston and positioned so as to, based upon a second position of the flush piston within the flush piston cavity, selectively place the valve cylinder outlet in communication with the water release port when the inlet to cylinder channel is not in a position to allow communication between the water supply input and the valve cylinder outlet; and

a flush piston spring for urging the flush piston into a position that prevents communication between the valve cylinder outlet and the water release port.