The invention comprises a toilet seat lifting device, operation of the controlling mechanism and the layout of the controls for the lid and/or seat.

It is known from a Polish patent application, No. P.391078 "toilet seat lifting device and a rotary spring actuator", which consists of a rotary spring actuator to lift and lower the toilet seat lid, with a rotary spring actuator to lift and lower the toilet seat, a control mechanism and a control unit for the lifting device. The lifting device has its left lid hinge placed on a spacer sleeve and the right lid hinge cover is connected with the right rotary module, and the left seat hinge connected with the left rotary module and the right seat hinge placed on the control mechanism rotary sleeve. The hinges have an assembly lug, and are placed along a structural tube with assembly holes for the placement of the lifting device elements.

The disadvantage of the device is the complicated design of the control mechanism. Furthermore, the device cannot be adjusted in the longitudinal and transversal planes against the bowl mounting holes. The hinge design of the discussed device limits the adaptation of the device to toilet seats of all types. As per patent claim, the toilet seat lifting device consists of a casing inside which the lid and seat lifting and lowering device is located, as well as the mechanism controlling the lifting and lowering of the lid and seat. The operation of the lifting and lowering mechanism for the lid and seat is based on the action of the rotary spring actuator, or of torsion springs. Operation of the control mechanism is based on the reciprocating action of a sliding element, whose plane motion is transformed into rotational motion of the seat hinges. The lifting device control mechanism is connected with a controller operated manually or by foot. The control unit cooperates with the controlling mechanism.

The device casing consists of a bottom element, which constitutes the main structural element of the device, the left side, the right side and the upper part. The bottom casing of the device rests on an assembly strip, mounted directly to the bowl.

On the left side of the bottom casing, structural components, are mounted, for the seat and lid lifting mechanism. On the left part of the bottom casing, a structural tube is attached, with outer and inner flanges. On the structural tube, there are: the seat left hinge and the lid left hinge, as well as structural components for the lid and seat lifting and lowering mechanism. On the left side of the tube, the reciprocating module for the seat rotary spring actuator is mounted. The reciprocating module, through a profile, is connected to a compression spring with a screw, resting against the internal flange of the structural tube. The adjustment of the spring tension is done with a screw with a nut. On the left side of the structural tube outer flange, the left seat hinge is mounted, whose casing has a mounting lug for seat connection. Inside the casing of the left seat hinge the rotary module of the seat actuator is mounted. This module consists of two rotary module inserts, each of which has a face touching the face of the seat actuator reciprocating module, and on the other side, each insert is fixed by bearings balls located on the structural tube flange. The face of each insert constitutes part of the face of the seat spring actuator rotary module.

On the right side of the structural tube flange the left lid hinge is mounted, whose housing has a lug enabling the connection with the lid. Inside the lid hinge housing, the lid actuator rotary module is mounted. This module consists of two inserts, each of which is fixed with bearing balls on the structural tube flange, and on the other side, each insert has a face touching the face of the lid actuator reciprocating module. The lid actuator reciprocating module, placed on the structural tube, has a mounting pin in its lower part. Pressure ^■ is exerted on the reciprocating module by the lid actuator spring, mounted on the right side of the structural tube, whose tension is adjusted with a nut.

Another solution with respect to the design of the lifting and lowering mechanism is, as per patent claim, the use of torsion springs.

In this solution, on the left side of the structural tube flange, the left seat hinge is mounted. The left seat hinge has a housing with an assembly lug, which is mounted to the seat. On the left side of the hinge casing, an aperture is located into which the torsion spring tip for the seat is attached. On the left side of the structural tube, a sleeve adjusting the tension of the seat hinge torsion spring is mounted. The desired position of the spring adjustment element against the axis of the structural tube is fixed with a locking pin. On the right side of the tube flange, the left lid hinge is mounted. The left lid hinge has a casing with a lug attached to the lid. In the casing, on the right, an aperture is located into which the torsion spring tip for the lid is mounted. On the right side of the tube, the tension adjustment sleeve for the lid hinge torsion spring is mounted. The desired position of the adjustment element against the tube is fixed with a locking pin.

On the right side of the bottom casing, structural elements of the control mechanism are mounted along with the right lid hinge and right seat hinge. The basic structural element of the control mechanism is a reciprocating piece, located in the guide mounted in the bottom casing, left of the right lid hinge. The right lid hinge has a casing with an assembly lug, enabling connection with the lid.

The lid hinge casing has a mandrel in its internal part. Inside the lid hinge casing, a structural element is mounted. This structural element has a shaped aperture, through which the reciprocating piece can travel. On the external side of the structural element perimeter, a springing piece is mounted. The connection of the lid hinge casing mandrel with the springing piece is a mobile type connection, with a specific initial position. The mobile connection between the mandrel and the springing piece enables the adjustment of the lid position by the control mechanism, as well as in a traditional, manual manner. The initial position of the mobile connection is constant, when the lid position is adjusted by the control mechanism. When the lid position is adjusted in a traditional, manual manner, the lid hinge casing mandrel changes its position against the springing piece, and thus leaves the initial position in the mobile connection of these two elements. The application of the mobile connection secures elements of the control mechanism against damage in the event of misuse.

On the right side of the right lid hinge, the right seat hinge is mounted. The seat hinge casing has a mandrel in its internal part. Inside the seat hinge casing, a structural element is mounted. This structural element has a shaped aperture, through which the reciprocating piece can travel. On the external side of the structural element perimeter, a springing piece is mounted. The connection of the seat hinge casing mandrel with the springing piece is a mobile type connection, with a specific initial position. The mobile connection between the mandrel and the springing piece enables the adjustment of the seat position by the control mechanism, as well as in a traditional, manual manner. The initial position of the mobile connection is constant when the seat position is adjusted by the control mechanism, and when it is adjusted in a traditional, manual manner, the seat hinge casing mandrel changes its position against the springing piece, and thus leaves the initial position in the mobile connection of these two elements. The application of the mobile connection secures elements of the control mechanism against damage in the event of misuse .

A change in the position of the reciprocating element is caused by the action of a mechanical, electric or electronic control device. The reciprocating element, when moving, changes the position of hinges against their rotation axis, thus changing the positions of both the lid and the seat.

Mechanical, electric or electronic control devices, causing the movement of the reciprocating element are mounted inside or outside the lifting device casing.

When external control devices are used, the return movement of the reciprocating element is enforced by the action on the reciprocating element of the progressive spring, mounted in the right part of the lifting device, and on the spring of the reciprocating element, mounted in the central part of the device bottom casing.

The hinges of the toilet seat lifting device constitute structural elements in the lifting mechanism and control mechanism, and constitute the connection of the lifting device with the lid and the seat. Each hinge consists of a casing constituting a structural element of the lifting device, and an assembly lug enabling the connection with the lid or seat. Casings of the control mechanism hinges have mandrels, whereas casings of the lifting mechanism hinges, according to the solution, have apertures in which rotary module inserts can be placed, or apertures for the tips of torsion springs. The lid and the seat have a shaped assembly profile, onto which hinge assembly lugs are fixed.

Favourably, the hinges and/or the lid and seat have latches securing the durability of the connection between the lifting device and the assembly profile for the lid and seat.

Favourably, the hinges and/or the lid and seat have latch locks. The mechanical control device is connected via a cable with the control mechanism of the toilet seat lifting device. This connection is made by guiding the cable along the assembly bolt aperture and the right lifting device casing, or directly through the right lifting device casing .

The mechanical control device consists of a cable tensioning unit, cable releasing unit and a casing. The casing consists of a rear part, lateral right part, lateral left part, front upper part and front bottom part. The casing rear part has, in its upper section, an assembly aperture for a fixing screw and guides for the trigger strip; below, it has an assembly inlet for the locking latch, a grip for the torsion spring tip of the tensioning wheel and a grip for the torsion spring tip of the control device arm. The rear casing in its bottom part has an assembly aperture for the fixing screw, a lug with assembly apertures for nuts adjusting the cable tension and a passage aperture for cables.

The lateral right casing of the control device has a passage aperture for the right assembly sleeve, and from the inside it has two shaped recesses for the dog lugs. The lateral left casing of the control device has a passage aperture for the left assembly sleeve, and a passage slot for the tip of the torsion spring in the control device arm. The design of the external walls in the lateral right and left casings determines the movement range for the control arm. The front upper casing, in its upper part has a passage aperture for the cable release button, and in the lower part has passage apertures for cables. Favourably, the upper front and lateral right casing constitute a single structural element. The front lower casing has a cable passage aperture. Between the lateral right and lateral left casing, the cable tensioning mechanism is mounted. The cable tensioning mechanism consists of a dog, compression spring, tensioning wheel, spacing sleeve, tensioning wheel torsion spring, and torsion spring of the control unit arm.

The control arm is mounted outside the lateral right and lateral left casings. The connection of the control arm with the cable tensioning mechanism is provided through the left and right assembly sleeves.

The dog has an aperture with catches with which the right assembly sleeve is fixed. It has two lugs on its right. On its left, it has a socket in which the latch is placed. Favourably, the dog has a clamp through which the button strip can be slid.

The tensioning wheel has a passage aperture for the assembly sleeve. On the right, it has catches of the dog latch. On the left, it has a socket in which the torsion spring tip is inserted, and an assembly sleeve for the control device cable. The tensioning wheel, along its perimeter, has no fewer than two teeth to catch against the locking latch. The control arm has two passage apertures with assembly sleeve catches. The right assembly sleeve has inlets for the dog catches. The left and right assembly sleeves have external flanges.

The cable release mechanism consists of a trigger button, trigger strip, locking latch, trigger cable connector and a trigger cable connected with a trigger mechanism mounted in the toilet flushing system, which has a trigger cable clipping mechanism. The cable clipping mechanism in the toilet flushing system has a design of any type, which pulls the trigger cable of the control device when the toilet flushing system is activated. Favourably, the control device has a mechanism that locks the connection between the release mechanism with the trigger mechanism mounted in the toilet flushing system. The locking mechanism has a lock switch.

The trigger strip, in its upper part, has an arm in which the trigger button is placed, below which the catch of the trigger cable connector is mounted. In the lower party, the trigger strip has a catch of the dog clamp and a locking latch shift lug.

In another solution, the release mechanism of the control device has a spring that enables the return of the trigger button and/of trigger strip.

The control device is mounted on the toilet wall, on the floor surface, or is concealed in the floor. When the control device is mounted on or in the floor, the activation of the cable tensioning mechanism occurs in result of a foot pressing a pedal or a button of the control device. The pedal or button of the foot-activated control device acts as the controlling arm.

The operation principle for the toilet seat lifting device control mechanism is that the position of the reciprocating element located in shape apertures of structural elements is changed in reciprocating movement. Structural elements are connected with the hinges by means of a mobile connection. This connection, as per patent claim, is achieved by hinge mandrels and springing elements resting on structural elements. The application of mobile connections enables lifting and lowering of the lid and seat position by the control mechanism, as well as in a traditional, manual manner. The mobile connection secures elements of the lifting device control mechanism against damage in the event of device misuse. A change in the position of the reciprocating element is caused by application of a force, transmitted or coming from a mechanical, electric or electronic control device. The reciprocating element, when moving, changes the position of hinges against their rotation axis, thus changing the positions of both the lid and the seat.

Favourably, control devices putting the reciprocating element into motion are mounted inside the casing of the toilet seat lifting device.

Favourably, the operation of the toilet seat lifting device control mechanism, for the needs of the invention, is achieved by action on the reciprocating element of the control mechanism, by means of a mechanical control device, connected with the reciprocating element with a cable. Cable tensioning through the control device mechanism causes a shift of the reciprocating element along the lid and/or seat hinge axis, and tension of the reciprocating element spring and/or progressive spring. The shifting reciprocating element changes the position of hinges against their rotation axis, thus resulting in the lid and/or the seat being lifted. Releasing of the cable tension causes a return movement of the reciprocating element, caused by the pressure of the reciprocating element spring and/or progressive spring. The shifting reciprocating element changes the position of hinges against their rotation axis, thus resulting in the lid and/or the. seat being lowered.

Favourably, the release of the cable tension by the control device is achieved by the trigger mechanism installed in the toilet flushing system. Favourably, the trigger mechanism mounted in the toilet flushing system is connected via a cable with the control device. The lid and/or seat position control system, as per patent claim, is based on cooperation of the lifting device with the control device and trigger mechanism installed in the toilet flushing system. The toilet seat lifting device is connected with or without a cable with the control device and trigger mechanism installed in the toilet flushing system.

Favourably, the connection of the seat lifting device with the trigger mechanism mounted in the toilet flushing system is enabled by means of the control device. The control device is connected with or without a cable with the toilet seat lifting device and favourably with the trigger mechanism installed in the toilet flushing system. The trigger mechanism installed in the toilet flushing system is connected with or without a cable with the control device or the lifting device, or with the control device and the lifting device.

The advantage of the toilet lifting device, as per patent claim, is its simple design and several application functions. ^' The unit consists of a control device and lifting mechanism whose elements constitute a single subassembly. The design of the lifting mechanism uses rotary spring actuators or torsion springs. The device design enables easy assembly of individual parts during the production process.

The lifting device design enables the use of an innovative method of connecting the hinges with the lid and seat. This method assumes the attachment of the hinges to the lid and seat assembly profiles. In this solution, the lid and seat are slid with the assembly profile onto suitably selected hinge lugs.

In the device, assembly screws can be adjusted longitudinally and transversely against assembly apertures in the bowl. The lifting device design enables its assembly on bowls with apertures or go-through apertures.

The design of the lifting device enables lifting and lowering o f the lid and seat position by the control mechanism, as well as in a traditional, manual manner. When the lid or seat is lifted in a traditional manner, the lifting device mechanism supports the lifting action, and when they are lowered in the same manner, then the mechanism prevents the lid or seat from their free falling onto the bowl .

The design of the lifting device does not disable lifting of the lid or seat position by the control mechanism and their manual lowering and vice versa. The lifting device design places the lid and seat in the upright position, preventing their leaning against the wall or cistern. In the event of misuse, i.e. when the lid or seat is pushed beyond its positioning range, the device will not be damaged.

The design of the lifting device secures the mechanism against misuse, i.e. when the lid or seat is lifted with the device control mechanism, and simultaneously either of them is lowered manually, or vice versa. This solution enables the use of the device in public toilets, which are often exposed to unpredictable behaviours of their users.

The advantage of the device is the possibility to use mechanical, electric or electronic control devices, activated manually, or by foot.

A particular advantage of the device, as per patent claim, is the possibility to connect it to the trigger mechanism mounted in the toilet flushing system. In this solution, the user who lifted the lid or seat with the control device, activating the flushing system, will simultaneously activate the lid/seat lowering mechanism.

Control devices or toilet flushing systems may be equipped with a lock on the connection between the trigger mechanism mounted in the flushing system and the toilet seat lifting device control unit.

The control device and the lifting device casing along with the hinges may constitute an aesthetic element in the toilet furnishings. The toilet seat lifting device, the operation of the device control mechanism and the layout of the devices controlling the positions of the lid and/or seat is shown in the figure in an exemplary application, where Fig.l presents the lifting device with the installed lid and seat, connected with the control device, Fig.2 shows the lifting device in an axonometric projection, Fig.3 shows the frontal cross-section of the device, Fig.4, Fig.5 and Fig.6 show a list of the device elements, Fig.7 shows the hinges, Fig.8 shows the hinge assembly lugs, Fig.9 shows, in an axonometric projection, the lifting device with the lifting mechanism using torsion springs, Fig.10 shows a list of the lifting mechanism elements with torsion springs, Fig.11 shows the lid and seat with assembly profiles, Fig.12, Fig.13 and Fig.14 show the control device, and Fig.15 shows the control device operated by foot.

The toilet seat lifting device 100 consists of the lower casing 101, to whose lower part, using adjustment screws 114 ^' and 115, the assembly strip 154 with seal 113 is attached. Assembly strip 154 has longitudinal passage apertures through which assembly screws 116 and 117 are passed. On the left, onto lower casing 101, upper left casing 103 is slid. In the left part of casing 101, on assembly pins 124 and 125, structural tube 105 is mounted. Inside structural tube 105, on its left side, screw 143, compression spring 144 and nut 142 are mounted. Screw 143, through shape section 147, is connected with reciprocating module 151 of seat 502, of the rotary spring actuator. On shape element 147, needle bearings 149 and 150 are placed. The face of reciprocating module 151 touches on the faces of rotary module 122 and 123 inserts, of the seat rotary spring actuator 502. Inserts of rotary modules 122 and 123 are seated in the casing of left hinge 106 of seat 502, and by means of bearing balls 128, are fixed on washer 146, mounted on the left side of the sleeve of structural tube 105. On the casing of hinge 106, assembly lug 118 is mounted. On structural tube 105, on the right, nut 139 is mounted, compression spring 140, reciprocating module 141 of lid 501 of the rotary spring actuator. On the assembly mandrel of reciprocating module 141, needle bearing 148 is placed. The face of reciprocating module 141 of lid 501 spring actuator touches on the faces of rotary module 152 and 153 inserts, of the lid rotary spring actuator 501. Inserts of rotary modules 152 and 153 are seated in the casing of left hinge 107 of lid 501, and by means of bearing balls 128, are fixed on washer 145, mounted on the right side of the sleeve of structural tube 105. On the casing of left hinge 107, assembly lug 119 is mounted.

To lower casing 101, in its central part, upper casing 102 is attached. On the central part of lower casing 101, spring 130 of reciprocating element 129 is mounted. Spring 130 is seated on sleeve 112, locked with pin 131. On lower casing 101, between spring 130 and right hinge 108 of lid 501, guide 132 of reciprocating element 129 is mounted. Inside right hinge 108 of lid 501, ring 136 is mounted, on which, on the left, structural element 110 is attached, with springing element 155. Springing element 155, with its tips 703.1, 704.1 and 705.1, is seated in yokes 703, 704 and 705 of structural element 110. On structural element 110, insert 133 is mounted, along with shaped aperture 702. On mandrel 701 of the casing of right hinge 108 of lid 501, cap 126 is mounted. On the casing of right hinge 108 of lid 501, assembly lug 120 is mounted. To right hinge 108 of lid

501, on the right, right hinge 109 of seat 502 is adjacent. On mandrel 701 of the casing of right hinge 109 of seat

502, cap 127 is mounted. On the casing of right hinge 109 of seat 502, assembly lug 121 is mounted. Between hinges 108 and 109, seal 135 is mounted. On the right side of ring 136, in the part of right hinge 108 casing, of lid 501 and in the casing of right hinge 109 of seat 502, structural element 111 is placed, along with springing element 156. Springing element 156, with its tips 703.1, 704.1 and 705.1 is seated in yokes 703, 704 and 705 of structural element 111. On structural element 111, insert 134 is mounted with shape aperture 702. On lower casing 101, on the right side of right hinge 109 of seat 502, progressive spring 138 is mounted, on which cap 137 of progressive spring 138 is mounted. Onto lower casing 101, from the right, upper right casing 104 is slid. Reciprocating element 129 is placed in guide 132 and shape apertures 702 of inserts 133 and 134. On the right part of reciprocating element 129, cable 220 of control device 200 is mounted.

The lifting mechanism based on torsion springs, whose elements are mounted on structural tube 405 consist of fixing rings 408 and 409, adjustment sleeves 403 and 404, locking pins 410 and 411, torsion springs 401 and 402 and of casings of hinges 406 and 407. Exemplary elements of hinge and lug casings shown in Fig.7 and Fig.8 are: casing of hinge 107 and casing of hinge 107.1, and lugs 119, 119.1, 121, 121.1, 521, 521.1, 621 and 621.1 and latch 721.

Exemplary assembly profiles for lid 501 and seat 502 shown in Fig.11 are: assembly profiles 501.1 and 503.1, and latch lock 501.2.

Control device 200 with lock switch 234 consists of rear casing 201, right lateral casing 202, left lateral casing 203 and front lower casing 204. On rear casing 201, trigger button strip 206 is mounted, with trigger button 205, assembly washer 212, fixing screw 227, fixing screw 228, locking latch 213, adjustment nut 231, for the tension of cable 220 of control unit 200, and adjustment nut 232 for the tension of trigger cable 218. On the trigger button strip 206, trigger cable connector 217 is mounted, secured with ring 215, and button guide pin 216. In the internal part of casing 202, on right assembly sleeve 230, and on left assembly sleeve 229, dog 208 is mounted along with compression spring 223, with latch 226 and clamp 214. On the left side of dog 208, compression spring 224 is mounted, tensioning wheel 209, spacing sleeve 207, as well as torsion springs 221 and 222. On the external side of right lateral casing 202 and lateral casing 203, on assembly sleeves 229 and 230, control arm 233 is mounted. On tensioning wheel 209, a cable with shaped tip 219 is mounted, connected by means of cable connector 225 with cable 220. Cable 220, between control device 200, and toilet seat lifting device 100, is seated in masking cover 210. Masking cover 210 is seated on one side in front lower casing 204, and on the other in latch 211. Trigger cable 218 is attached at one tip to connector 217, and at the other to the trigger mechanism of the toilet flushing system.

Control units 200 of lifting device 100 of the toilet seat lifting device are mounted on the wall, on floor 300 or on floors with protruding button 300.1.