FIELD OF INVENTION:

The invention relates to a device. More specifically, it relates to a device for controlled lifting and closing of the toilet lid or toilet lid assembly. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:

Hygienic conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness is extremely valued. It has been the conventional practice to lift and close toilet lid assembly by manually grasping the edge and lifting or closing the seat accordingly. This is not hygienic. Some limiting attempts have been made in prior arts mentioned below to provide hygienic lifting and closing means of toilet seats without using the hand.

US 4875251 A discloses a toilet seat handle device for attachment to a toilet seat as an aid to raising and lowering the toilet seat without having to actually touch the toilet seat. The handle is attached at one of its ends to the toilet seat and projects outwardly beyond the periphery thereof.

US 5375267A discloses a device for lifting a toilet seat without the hands of the user directly contacting such seat wherein a flat plate is attached to the underside of the toilet seat, such flat plate having its outer end protruding only slightly beyond the edge of the seat. However, the disadvantage of the above mentioned prior art is that the user has to still use his hand for the toilet lid as said prior art is limited only to the toilet seat. Also, flat plate is attached to the underside of the toilet seat cause discomfort to the user and is difficult to clean.

In all the above prior arts, a user intending to avoid touching of the seat, will use his feet or hands either directly or indirectly to raise or lower the toilet seat assembly. This is extremely rudimentary and is not always successful in lifting or closing the toilet lid assembly. In the prior arts, the closing is not controlled. Therefore, there is a chance to break/ damage the toilet lid assembly and more particularly the toilet seat due to repetitive lifting and closing.

US 5307524A discloses an electrical device which will either raise or lower a toilet seat by operation of a push button switch, and further, will automatically lower the toilet seat after the flushing action of the toilet. US 20070056084 disclose a motorized toilet seat assembly allowing for the raising and lowering of the lid or seat in relation to user requests or automatic sensing.

However, the above technology is extremely expensive and requires constant maintenance. This constraint restricts the use of the said technology in medium income households or frequently used public toilets.

Therefore, there is a long standing need to provide an operating device which lifts or closes the toilet lid assembly without damaging the seat. The said device must not utilize extremely expensive parts / sensors like that used in automatic toilet lid lifters and must be practical and inexpensive.

Summary:

The present invention relates to a device for controlled lifting and closing of the toilet lid or toilet lid assembly comprising of

- two symmetrical arms (3,3') each having a flat surface area (4,4') continuing in a curved surface area (5,5') and ending in a tip (6,6'),

- an elongated holder body (1) having

a) an attachment end for obliquely engaging and holding said flat surface areas (4,4’) of said arms (3,3’) in opposite directions in an orientation that allow - the curved surface areas (5,5’) to form a cavity resembling to an orbit shape,

- the edges of the tips (6,6') to face each other, and

- the said arms (3,3’) to maintain a gap between them for entry-exit of the toilet lid assembly; and b) a holding end separated from said attachment end by an elongated portion.

With this operating device, it is now possible to lift and close the toilet lid assembly in a hygienic manner. It is convenient and can be used by all age groups. It is also beneficial to households having young children and senior citizens with health problems. It will also benefit public health when used in public/community toilets that have public access.

BRIEF DISCRETION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

All aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with the description of the preferred non limiting embodiment, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 illustrate the toilet lid assembly. It shows the lid (00) and the toilet seat

(01), FIG 2 illustrates a holder (1) having two ends. One end being a holder end (101) is free and another being an attachment end (10G) is engaged with two symmetrical arms (3,3’),

FIG 3 (a) illustrates the lifting of the toilet lid and the toilet seat using the device of current invention,

FIG 3 (b) illustrates the lifting of the toilet lid using the device of current invention, FIG 4 (a) illustrates the closing of the toilet lid and the toilet seat using the device of current invention,

FIG 4 (b) illustrates the closing of the toilet lid using the device of current invention,

FIG 5 depicts the positions of and the contact relationship between the toilet lid and the lower symmetrical arm of the device when the toilet lid slides over the flat surface area of the lower symmetrical arm,

FIG 6 depicts the positions of and the contact relationship between the toilet lid and the lower symmetrical arm of the device when the toilet lid rests over the tip of the lower symmetrical arm, FIG 7 (a), (b) and (c) illustrate one of the exemplary embodiment of the device of current invention, in which the reference numerals denotes the dimensions of the device.

FIG 8 illustrates one of the exemplary embodiments in which tips are solid triangular three dimensional structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

Present invention mainly provides a device for controlled lifting and closing of the toilet lid or toilet lid assembly.

In FIG 1, the toilet lid assembly is illustrated. It shows the lid (00) and the toilet seat (01). The device of current invention is used to lift or close the entire toilet lid assembly (lid and toilet seat) in controlled manner. It may also be used for lifting and closing of the lid (00) and toilet seat (01) individually depending on the preference or need of the user.

This device has two main components. One being the set of two symmetrical arms (3,3') and another being an elongated holder body (1). Each symmetrical arm has a flat surface area (4,4') continuing in a curved surface area (5,5') and ending in a tip (6,6'). The elongated holder body (1) has an attachment end (101) and a holding end (100) separated from each other by an elongated portion.

The attachment end has provision for obliquely engaging and holding said flat surface areas (4,4’) of said arms (3,3’) in opposite directions. It can be achieved by permanently attaching the flat surface areas (4,4’) with an attachment end. Alternatively, slots can be provided to removably attach the arms at the attachment end of holder body. In any type of arrangement, the flat surface areas (4,4’) of said arms (3,3’) are engaged with holder body in an orientation that allow the curved surface areas (5,5’) to form a cavity resembling to an orbit shape and the edges of the tips (6,6') face each other. Further, the engagement allow the arms (3,3’) to maintain a gap between them for entry-exit of the toilet lid assembly. In one preferred embodiment the flat surface areas (4,4’) forms a triangular cavity between them. In another preferred embodiment the flat surface areas (4,4’) forms a trapezoidal cavity between them.

The above two components work together for convenient lifting and closing of the toilet lid assembly. Symmetry of the two arms (3,3’) plays a very important role in this functioning. Additionally, it also eliminates the confusion/complexity or tedious process of determining the top arm and bottom arm in case of asymmetry. Thus, young children also doesn’t face any problem using this device.

During closing of the toilet lid assembly, the two symmetric arms of the device, work sequentially to assist controlled closing of the toilet lid assembly. The tip (6/6’) of one arm is touched to the periphery of the outer surface of the lifted toilet lid assembly for closing it. The curved surface area (5/5’) of an upper arm avoid any interruptions in entry and movement of the lid assembly within the gap between symmetrical arms as the device at this moment is held by the user in upright position or in tilted position. After touching the tip, the user simply push it in the required downward direction to close the toilet lid assembly. Here the lower arm plays a crucial role of catching the toilet lid assembly on its flat surface area (4/4’). It further controls the lid assembly’s falling speed and force through making it slide in downward direction. The user can control its downward moment by simply tilting and lowering the device in his hand. Thus, the toilet lid assembly will be lowered in a controlled manner as it falls smoothly on the flat surface of the lower arm (4/4’). Hence, the flat surface area (4/’4) of the lower arm assist in sliding of the toilet lid assembly. It avoid the breakage, damage which otherwise caused due to swift fall of the lid assembly on the toilet pot. Given, the nature and function of the flat surface area, it can also be referred to as inclined flat slider surface.

The curved surface area (5/5’) of the lower arm further slowdown the speed of the lid assembly which is sliding over flat surface area (4/4’). It also prevents the sudden fall of toilet lid assembly on the toilet pot. In co-ordination with the tip (6/6’) of the lower arm, the said curved surface assist in resting of the toilet lid assembly. Due to the curved surface area and the tip, the toilet lid assembly can be kept back on the toilet pot gently in a hygienic way.

During lifting of the toilet lid assembly, first the tip of the lower arm is easily adjusted below the lower surface of the toilet lid assembly by holding the device by user through at its holding end. Here also the curved surface the lower arm avoid any interruptions in entry and movement of the lid assembly within the gap between symmetrical arms. Then the toilet lid assembly is simply lifted in upward direction by tilting the device by the user which results in exerting the pulling force over the lid assembly to get it opened. Due to the curved surface area of the lower arm, free movement of the lid assembly is achieved and any type slipping of lid assembly is also avoided. After lifting, the edge of the tip and the curved surface area further assist the user to position the toilet lid assembly in a stable lifted position without it falling back to its closed position just by suitably tilting the device. Thus, a child or even a person of any height can use it easily without putting him or her in any discomfort position. The lifting of the toilet lid assembly is convenient and does not require any additional effort/skill from the user.

Using the holding end (100), the elongated holder body (1) is held in the hand of the user while opening or closing the toilet lid assembly thus, the user does not have to use the hands to touch unhygienic surfaces of the toilet pot/lid assembly. Additionally, it also eliminates the need for bending and thereby more particularly beneficial for senior citizens suffering from spinal problems or spondylosis. The length and other dimensions of the elongated holder body are variable and may be adjusted depending on the user preference. Preferably it has an additional mounting mean and more preferably a hook or a screw at the holding end. It helps in mounting the device at any suitable place in the toilet.

The angle between the flat surface areas and the elongated portion, the length of the flat surface areas, and gap measured at between the tips (6,6’) can be varied as per the needs of the toilet seat assembly. In preferred embodiments the attachment end of elongated holder body (1) obliquely engage the flat surface areas (4,4’) of arms (3,3’) by forming an angle measuring from l40°C to l60°C between the flat surface areas and the elongated portion of the holder body. However, the angles are same for both the arms. As per the currently available toilet lid assemblies, preferably the gap within the range of 8 cm to 10 cm measured at the edges of the tips (6,6’) is sufficient for easy entry-exit of the toilet lid assembly between said arms. Also, depending on the sizes of the lid assemblies the length of the flat surface area (4 or 4’) is preferably kept within the range of 25% to35% of the total length of the each symmetrical arm (3 or 3’).

The tips perform the role of attachment during lifting or closing of the toilet seat assembly. Thus, it is essential that the tip edge face each other. In one preferred embodiment the gap maintained between the tips is 8 cm to 10 cm for effective functioning. Further, the edges of tips in preferred embodiment have lesser thickness than that of the symmetric arm excluding the tips. The edges of the tips face each other and a suitable gap is maintained.

The length of the arc and curvature of the curved surface (5/5’) of the symmetrical arms are sufficient to avoid any interruptions in entry and movement of the lid assembly within the gap between symmetrical arms. Thus, free movement of toilet lid assembly is possible. There are no problems associated with friction or undesired obstacles in the movement of the toilet lid assembly. Curvature is the degree to which the curved surface area (5, 5’) is curved. Length of arc herein means the length of the arc forming the curvature of the curved surface area (5, 5’). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the curved surface areas (5,5’) are circular segments with chord ranging from 4 cm to 6 cm.

The toilet lid assembly has movable parts comprises the lid (00) and toilet seat (01). The operating device can be used for lifting/closing the lid (00) and toilet seat (01) individually. The process for lifting and closing the said movable parts is similar to that explained for the entire toilet lid assembly. When lifted/ closed individually, the said movable part may be termed as the toilet lid assembly.

In another preferred embodiment, foam with adhesive base was placed on the front side of the water flush tank to prevent damage of the lid. Additionally, a buckle may be placed on the bottom side of the movable parts of the toilet lid assembly. These are non-essential features that have the potential to provide simplified usage of the device.

The prominent feature of this invention is that, the design gives technical advancement in the field of the device. It does not require advance sensor systems and maintenance. Thus, cost will not be an impediment to hygiene and society can avoid using bare hands at affordable price. This is also extremely hygienic during use of toilets at crowded places having enormous public access. Additionally, the device gently lifts or closes the toilet lid assembly without damaging the toilet seat or lid.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Examples:

Construction of a device for controlled lifting and closing of the toilet lid or toilet lid assembly

Three device are constructed in this example. The operating device comprises an elongated holder body (1) having two ends. To one end portion is attached two symmetrical arms (3,3’) each having a flat surface area (4,4’) continuing in a curved surface area (5, 5’) and ending in a tip (6,6’).

In this example the tips are solid triangular three dimensional structure that form the end of the symmetrical arms (3,3’). The edges of the tips face each other. The tip as in the example is illustrated in FIG 8.

The total length (200) of the operating device varies between 40 to 60 centimeters. The distance (300) between the edges of the two tips (6,6’) varies between 8cm to lOcm. The thickness (400) of edges of the tips varies from 0.1 to 0.2 centimeters. The thickness (500) of the arms excluding the tips varies from 0.3 to 0.4 centimeters while the width (600) varies from 3 to 4 centimeters. The attachment end of elongated holder body (1) obliquely engage flat surface areas (4,4’) by forming an angle measuring from l40°C to l60°C with the elongated portion.

In this example, the holding end (101) was modified wherein a hook was placed at the free end. Herein, the holder end width near the hook (700) varies between 3 to 4 centimeters and the width at the attachment end (800) is from 1 to 3 centimeters.

The dimensions are shown in FIG 7 (a), (b) and (c).