Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to toilet seat and lid lifters and, in particular, to foot operated toilet seat and lid lifters which enable toilet seats and lids to be raised and lowered without a user having to touch them.

Brief Discussion of the Prior Art Over the year's foot operated toilet seat lifters of various designs have been developed. An objective of many of these toilet seat lifters is to encourage males to ensure that the seat of the toilet they are using is raised before they urinate into the toilet while standing up, and to ensure that the seat is then lowered so that subsequent users such as females do not need to lower the seat. Some examples of prior art foot operated toilet seat lifters are disclosed in French patent publication no. 2,225,133 (Chilemme), Japanese patent publication no. 10-25799 (Kinki Setsubi KK), United States patent nos. 4,150,446 (Crocker), 5,237,708 (Zamoyski) and 6,219, 854 (Milliman et al.), and United Kingdom patent application no. 2,373,000 (Carryl). Many prior art foot operated toilet seat lifters such as those disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents are unable to raise and lower a lid of a toilet independently of a seat of the toilet, or to lower the lid together with the seat. This problem has been overcome by a foot operated toilet seat and lid lifter which is disclosed in Japanese patent publication no. 08-164091 (Koyama Yuji). The toilet seat and lid lifter disclosed in the Koyama document includes a base, a first lever and a second lever which both extend through the base and which are able to pivot relative to the base such that each end of each lever is able to be lowered and raised relative to the other end of the lever. A first arm extends from an end of the first lever to a seat of a toilet and is secured relative to the first lever and the seat such that the seat is able to be raised and lowered by raising and lowering the end of the first lever which the first arm extends from. A second arm extends from an end of the second lever to a lid of the toilet and is secured relative to the second lever and the lid such that the lid is able to be raised and lowered independently of the seat by raising and lowering the end of the second lever which the second arm extends from. To provide consumers with a wider choice, it would be desirable to have a foot operated toilet seat and lid lifter which is different from the seat and lid lifter disclosed in the Koyoma document but which is also able to raise and lower a Hd of a toilet independently of a seat of the toilet.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustrations, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In one form, the present invention resides in a foot operated toilet seat and lid lifter comprising a base, a first axle, a second axle, wherein each axle is secured relative to the base such that the axle is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis thereof relative to the base, a respective first lever extending from each axle such that the first lever is able to be raised and lowered relative to the axle to thereby rotate the axle, a respective second lever extending from each axle and spaced lengthwise along the axle from the first lever extending from the axle such that the second lever is able to be raised and lowered relative to the axle by respectively lowering and raising the first lever extending from the axle, a first arm secured relative to the second lever extending from the first axle and securable relative to a seat of a toilet such that the first arm extends from the seat to the second lever extending from the first axle and such that the seat is able to be raised and lowered by rotating the first axle, and a second arm secured relative to the second lever extending from the second axle and securable relative to a lid of the toilet such that the second arm extends from the lid to the second lever extending from the second axle and such that the lid is able to be raised and lowered independently of the seat by rotating the second axle. The base may be any suitable size. In a preferred form, the base is 300 mm to 800 mm long and is 50 mm to 200 mm wide. The base may be any suitable shape. Preferably, the base is substantially flat and generally rectangular in shape. It is preferred that a side of the base is contoured to a shape which is substantially complementary to the shape of a side of a pedestal of the toilet so that the base is able to be positioned close to that side of the pedestal. The base may be adapted to be positioned adjacent to either the left-hand side or the right-hand side of the toilet. In a particular preferred form, the base includes a lower surface, an upper surface and a passage extending from the front of the base to the rear of the base between the lower and upper surfaces. Preferably, the axles extend through the passage from the front to the rear of the base. The upper surface of the base preferably includes a pair of front slots located towards the front of the base, and a pair of rear slots located towards the rear of the base. Each first lever preferably extends through a respective front slot when raised, and is preferably fully contained in the front slot when lowered. Each second lever preferably extends through a respective rear slot when raised, and is preferably fully contained in the rear slot when lowered. The base may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials by any suitable manufacturing process. In one preferred form, the base is fabricated from plastic by an injection moulding process. In another preferred form, the base is fabricated from a metal such as stainless steel and is manufactured using plasma cutting or stamping processes. Each axle may be any suitable length. In a particular preferred form, each axle is 405 mm long. Each axle may be any suitable shape. Preferably, each axle is cylindrical in shape. Each axle may be fabricated from any suitable material. In a preferred form, each axle is fabricated from metal. Each axle is preferably secured to the base by a plurality of securing members such that each axle is able to rotate around its longitudinal axis and relative to the base. It is preferred that a respective sleeve is secured to each axle and that each sleeve is located between a respective pair of the securing members such that the axles are thereby prevented from sliding back and forth relative to the base. Each first lever may be any suitable length. Preferably, each first lever is 20 mm to 50 mm long. In a particular preferred form, each first lever is 30 mm long. Each first lever may be any suitable shape. Preferably, each first lever is cylindrical in shape. Each first lever may be fabricated from any suitable material. In a preferred form, each first lever is fabricated from metal. Preferably, each first lever is located at an end of the axle from which the first lever extends. Each first lever is preferably integrally formed with the axle which the first lever extends from. In a particular preferred form, each first lever is formed by bending the axle from which the first lever extends. Each first lever may be inclined at any suitable angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the axle from which the first lever extends. Preferably, each first lever is inclined at an angle of 45° to 135° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axle from which the first lever extends. In one particular preferred form, the first lever extending from the first axle is inclined at an angle of 75° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first axle, and the first lever extending from the second axle is inclined at an angle of 83° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second axle. Each second lever may be any suitable length. Preferably, each second lever is 50 mm to 150 mm long. In a particular preferred form, the second lever extending from the first axle is 110 mm long, and the second lever extending from the second axle is 120 mm long. Each second lever may be any suitable shape. Preferably, each second lever is cylindrical in shape. Each second lever may be fabricated from any suitable material. In a preferred form each second lever is fabricated from metal. Preferably, each second lever is located at an end of the axle from which the second lever extends. Each second lever is preferably integrally formed with the axle which the second lever extends from. In a particular preferred form, each second lever is formed by bending the axle from which the second lever extends. Each second lever may be inclined at any suitable angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the axle from which the second lever extends. Preferably, each second lever is inclined at an angle of 45° to 135° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the axle from which the second lever extends. In one particular preferred form, the second lever extending from the first axle is inclined at an angle of 75° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first axle, and the second lever extending from the second axle is inclined at an angle of 83° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second axle. The first and second levers extending from each respective axle are preferably inclined with respect to each other at an angle of 90° to 160°. It is preferred that the first axle and the first and second levers extending therefrom are fabricated from a single metal rod by suitably bending the rod. It is also preferred that the second axle and the first and second levers extending therefrom are fabricated from a single metal rod by suitably bending the rod. The first arm and the second arm may be of any suitable length. Preferably, each arm is 200 mm to 800 mm long. It is preferred that the length of each arm is able to be adjusted. Preferably, the first arm and the second arm are identical to each other. Preferably, each arm extends from an end of the second lever which the arm is secured relative to. It is also preferred that each arm is secured to a side of the seat or the lid which the arm is secured relative to. In a particular preferred form, each arm includes a piston secured to the base such that the piston is able to be pivoted relative to the base, and a cylinder which is telescopically and slideably receives the piston. Preferably, the cylinder of each arm is secured relative to a respective one of the second levers and is securable relative to either the toilet seat or lid such that the cylinder extends from the seat or lid to the second lever and such that the piston received by the cylinder is able to be extended and retracted relative thereto by raising and lowering the second lever. A respective compressible spring is located inside each cylinder such that the spring is compressed as the piston received by the cylinder is retracted into the cylinder, and is expanded as the piston is extended from the cylinder. Preferably, one end of each cylinder is sealed and a respective 0-ring seal forms a seal between each cylinder and the piston received by the cylinder so that air inside the cylinder is compressed by the piston as the piston is retracted into the cylinder, and so that air inside the cylinder expands as the piston is extended from the cylinder. Preferably, each cylinder has a two-way valve so that compressed air in the cylinder is able to escape therefrom as the piston received by the cylinder is retracted into the cylinder, and so that air is able to enter the cylinder as the piston is extended relative to the cylinder. It is preferred that each cylinder has a guide member extending therefrom and a slot extending through the guide member. Preferably a respective pin secures each second lever to a respective guide member such that the pin is able to move back and forth along the slot in the guide member as the second lever is raised and lowered. Preferably, the lifter also includes a first pedal which engages with the first lever extending from the first axle such that depressing the first pedal lowers that first lever. It is also preferred that the lifter also includes a second pedal which engages with the first lever extending from the second axle such that depressing the second pedal lowers that first lever. The first and second pedals are preferably hinged relative to the base.

Brief Description of the Illustrations In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, an embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a foot operated toilet seat and lid lifter according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a side elevation of a toilet including a seat and lid which are coupled to and which are able to be raised and lowered by the seat and lid lifter; Figure 2 is a perspective of a lower portion of the toilet seat and lid lifter depicted in figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a plan view of the arrangement of the axles, first levers, and second levers of the toilet seat and Hd lifter depicted in figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective of a lower portion of a foot operated toilet seat and lid lifter according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a rear elevation of a portion of the toilet seat and lid lifter illustrated in figure 4 which depicts an arm and second lever of the lifter in a raised position, and a portion of a raised toilet seat or lid secured relative to the arm; Figure 6 is a plan view of the arm and second lever depicted in figure 5; Figure 7 is a rear elevation of a portion of the toilet seat and lid lifter illustrated in figure 4 which depicts an arm and a second lever of the lifter in a lowered position, and a portion of a lowered toilet seat or lid secured relative to the arm; Figure 8 is a plan view of the arm and second lever depicted in figure 7; Figure 9 is a side elevation of an upper end of the arm depicted in figure 5; Figure 10 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the arm depicted in figure 9 secured relative to a lip of a toilet seat or lid by a strip member; and Figure 11 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the arm depicted in figure 9 secured relative to a flat-bottomed toilet seat or lid by a bracket member.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 depicts a foot operated toilet seat and lid lifter 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a toilet 21 which includes a bowl 22, a pedestal 23, a tank 24, a tank lid 25, a flush button 26, a toilet seat 27, a lid 28, and a rubber stopper 29. The rear of the lid 28 is hinged relative to the rear of the bowl 22 so that the lid 28 is able to be pivotally raised and lowered relative to the bowl 22 and the seat 27. In the raised position, the lid 28 rests against the rubber stopper 29 and is inclined towards the tank 24. When lowered as depicted in phantom in figure 1, the lid 28 covers the seat 27. The rear of the seat 27 is hinged relative to the rear of the bowl 22 so that the seat 27 is able to be pivotally raised and lowered relative to the bowl 22. In the raised position depicted in phantom in figure 1, the rim of the bowl 22 is exposed. When lowered, the seat 27 covers the rim of the bowl 22. If the seat 27 is raised while covered by the lid 28, the lid 28 is raised simultaneously with the seat 27. If the lid 28 is lowered while the seat 27 is in the raised position, the seat 27 is lowered as well. Lifter 20 is coupled to the seat 27 and lid 28 of the toilet 21, and is operable to raise the lid 28 and to raise and lower the seat 27. Referring to figures 1 and 2, the foot operated lifter 20 includes a an injection moulded plastic base 30 having a ground-engaging lower surface 31, an upper surface 32, and a side wall 33 extending around the perimeter of the base 30 and between the lower and upper surfaces 31, 32. The lower surface 31 is coated with a non-slip material to inhibit the base 30 from sliding on the ground on which it rests when in use. A first foot operated pedal 34 and a second foot operated pedal 35 are located adjacent the front of the base 30 and are both hinged relative to the base 30 so that each pedal 34, 35 is able to be lowered and raised relative to the base 30 and independently of each other. Each of the pedals 34, 35 is positioned over a respective front slot 36 in the upper surface 32 of the base 30. A passage in the base 30 is located beneath the upper surface 32 and extends from the front to the rear of the base 30 so that each front slot 36 is thereby connected to a respective rear slot 37 in the upper surface 32. A right-hand side 38 of the base 30 has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the left-hand side of the pedestal 23 so that the base 30 can be positioned close to the left-hand side of the pedestal 23 as depicted in figure 1. In other embodiments, the left-hand side of the base 30 may have a shape which is complementary to the shape of the right-hand side of the pedestal 23 so that the base 30 can be positioned close to the right-hand side of the pedestal 23. Lifter 20 also includes a first cylindrical axle 40 and a second cylindrical axle 41. Each axle 40, 41 is received within the passage in the base 30 which extends from the front to the rear thereof. The first axle 40 extends from the front slot 36 located beneath the first pedal 34 to the rear slot 37 located closest to the front of the base 30. The second axle 41 extends from the front slot 36 located beneath the second pedal 35 to the rear slot 37 located furthest from the front of the base 30. The axles 40, 41 are depicted in phantom in figures 1 and 2. Referring to figure 3, the axles 40, 41 are secured relative to the base 30 such that each of the axles 40, 41 is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis thereof relative to the base 30. In particular, each axle 40, 41 is secured relative to the base 30 by a plurality of securing members 42 which extend across the axle 40, 41 and which are secured to the base 30 on both sides of the axle 40, 41 such that the axle 40, 41 is able to rotate relative to the base 30. A respective sleeve 43 is secured to each axle 40, 41 and is located between a pair of the securing members 42 which secure the axle 40, 41 to the base 30 so that the axle 40, 41 is thereby prevented from sliding back and forth with respect to the base 30. Only the securing members 42 and sleeve 43 which secure the first axle 40 to the base 30 are depicted in figure 3. A respective first lever 44 extends from each axle 40, 41 such that the first levers 44 are able to be raised and lowered relative to the axles 40, 41 which are thereby rotated. Each first lever 44 projects through a respective front slot 36 when raised and is fully contained therein when lowered. A respective second lever 45 extends from each axle 40, 41 and is spaced lengthwise along the axle 40, 41 from the first lever 44 which extends from the axle 40, 41. The second levers 45 extend from the axles 40, 41 such that the second levers 45 are able to be raised and lowered relative to the axle 40, 41 by respectively lowering and raising the first levers 44. Each second lever 45 projects through a respective rear slot 37 when raised and is fully contained therein when lowered. A respective eyelet 46 is located at a distal end of each second lever 45. The first lever 44 positioned beneath the first pedal 34 is able to be lowered by depressing the pedal 34. As the pedal 34 is depressed and the first lever 44 is lowered, the axle 40 from which the lowered first lever 44 extends rotates relative to the base 30 so that the second lever 45 extending from the rotating axle 40 is raised. Lowering the same second lever 45 causes the first axle 40 to rotate in the opposite direction which in turn raises the first lever 44 extending from the first axle 40. The first lever 44 positioned beneath the second pedal 35 is able to be lowered by depressing the pedal 35. As the pedal 35 is depressed and the first lever 44 is lowered, the axle 41 from which the lowered first lever 44 extends rotates relative to the base 30 so that the second lever 45 extending from the rotating axle 41 is raised. Lowering the same second lever 45 causes the second axle 41 to rotate in the opposite direction which in turn raises the first lever 44 extending from the second axle 41. Referring to figure 1, a first arm 50 is secured relative to the second lever 45 extending from the first axle 40 and is also secured to the seat 27 of the toilet 21 such that the first arm 50 extends from the seat 27 to the second lever 45 secured to the first axle 40 and such that the seat 27 is able to be raised and lowered by rotating the first axle 40. A clip secures an end of the first arm 50 to the eyelet 46 of the second lever 45 such that the first arm 50 is able to pivot relative to the second lever 45. The clip is of a type which can be easily removed to thereby disconnect the first arm 50 from the second lever 45. The other end of the first arm 50 is hinged relative to the seat 27 so that the first arm 50 is also able to pivot relative to the seat 27. The length of the first arm 50 is able to be adjusted to suit. A second arm 51 is secured relative to the second lever 45 extending from the second axle 41 and is also secured to the lid 28 of the toilet 21 such that the second arm 51 extends from the Hd 28 to the second lever 45 secured to the second axle 41 and such that the Hd 28 is able to be raised and lowered independently of the seat 27 by rotating the second axle 41. A clip secures an end of the second arm 51 to the eyelet 46 of the second lever 45 such that the second arm 51 is able to pivot relative to the second lever 45. The clip is of a type which can be easily removed to thereby disconnect the second arm 51 from the second lever portion 45. The other end of the second arm 51 is hinged relative to the Hd 28 so that the second arm 51 is also able to pivot relative to the Hd 28. The length of the second arm 51 is able to be adjusted to suit. A respective spring is secured relative to the first and second axles 40, 41, and the base 30 so that the spring secured relative to the first axle 40 assists in lifting the toilet seat 27, and so that the spring secured relative to the second axle 41 assists in lifting the Hd 28. The springs also provide resistance to the lowering of the seat 27 and Hd 28 so as to inhibit slamming thereof. When the first pedal 34 is depressed, the lid 28 is raised to the position depicted in figure 1 where the Hd 28 rests against the stopper 29 and is inclined towards the tank 24 of the toilet 21. When the second pedal 35 is depressed, the seat 27 is raised to the position depicted in phantom in figure 1 where the seat is slightly forwardly inclined. As pressure is removed from the second pedal 35, gravity causes the seat 27 to descend back to the lowered or closed position. A lower portion of a foot operated toilet seat and lid lifter 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in figure 4. Lifter 60 is similar to the lifter 20, therefor, for convenience, features of the lifter 60 that are the same or similar to features of the lifter 20 are referenced with the same reference numbers. The base 30 of the lifter 60 is fabricated from sheet metal and is of a different design to the base 30 of the lifter 20. One difference between the base 30 of the lifter 60 and the base 30 of the lifter 20 is that the base 30 of the lifter 60 does not include front slots 36 or rear slots 37. Instead, a portion of the lower surface 31 at the rear of the base 30 of the lifter 60 is not covered by the upper surface 32 of the base 30. The first axle 40 and second axle 41 of the lifter 60 are secured relative to the base 30 of the lifter 60 in the same manner as the axles 40, 41 of the lifter 20. Also, the pedals 34, 35 of the lifter 60 are operated in the same manner as the pedals 34, 35 of the lifter 20 in order to raise the second levers 45. The first and second arms 50, 51 of the lifter 60 are different to the arms 50, 51 of the lifter 20. Referring to figure 5, each arm 50, 51 of the lifter 60 includes a piston 61 which is secured to the base 30 and which is able to pivot relative to the base 30. Piston 61 is telescopically received by an end of a hollow cylinder 62 such that the cylinder 62 is able to slide back and forth relative to the piston 61. An upper end of the cylinder 62 which does not receive the piston 61 is sealed. An O-ring seal 63 forms an airtight seal between the piston 61 and the cylinder 62. A helical compression spring 64 is located inside the cylinder 62 and extends from the end of the piston 61 which is received by the cylinder 62 to the upper end of the cylinder 62. A two-way valve 65 is located near the top of the cylinder 62. A guide member 66 extends laterally from a lower end of the cylinder 62, and a slot 67 extends through the guide member 66. A threaded member 68 extends from the upper end of the cylinder 62. A threaded portion 69 of the threaded member 68 is received by a female threaded portion of a clip member 70 so that the amount by which the threaded member 68 extends from the clip member 70 is able to be adjusted by rotating the clip member 70 relative to the threaded member 68. The clip member 70 is secured to a strip member 71 and is hinged relative thereto by a pin 72 which extends through the clip member 70 and the strip member 71. The strip member 71 is in turn secured to a toilet seat 27 or lid 28. Referring to figure 6, the guide member 66 is secured to the end of one of the second levers 45 of the lifter 60 and is hinged relative to that second lever 45 by a pin 73 which extends through the second lever 45 and the guide member 66. Pin 73 is able to move back and forth along the length of the slot 67 in the guide member 66. Figure 9 depicts the strip member 71 in greater detail. As its name suggests, strip member 71 is essentially in the form of a strip. Strip member 71 includes a plurality of openings to allow for adjustment of the location along the strip member 71 where the pin 72 extends through. Figures 7 and 8 depict the second lever 45 and arm 50, 51 illustrated in figures 5 and 6 when the second lever 45 and arm 50, 51 have been lowered. As the second lever 45 is raised from the lowered position, the pin 73 slides along the slot 67 away from the cylinder 62, and the cylinder 62 is lifted with respect to the piston 61. As the cylinder 62 is lifted, the valve 65 allows air into the chamber in the cylinder 62 in which the spring 64 resides, and the spring 64 expands to assist in raising the cylinder 62. Also, the seat 27 or lid 28 secured relative to the arm 50, 51 is raised. Once the pin 73 has traveled the full length of the slot 67 and is unable to move away from the cylinder 62 any further, the second lever 45 and cylinder 62 are unable to be raised any further. At this stage, the seat 27 or lid 28 will be in their respective raised positions which are the same as those depicted in figure 1 and described earlier. As the second lever 45 is lowered from the raised position, the pin 73 slides along the slot 67 towards the cylinder 62, and the cylinder 62 is lowered with respect to the piston 61. As the cylinder 62 is lowered, the air in the chamber in the cylinder 62 in which the spring 64 resides is compressed and forced out of the cylinder 62 through the valve 65, and the spring 64 is compressed. The venting of the air in the cylinder 62 through the valve 65 and the compressing of the spring 64 dampen the lowering of the seat 27 or lid 28 which occurs as the cylinder 62 is lowered. Once the pin 73 has traveled the full length of the slot 67 and is unable to move any closer to the cylinder 62, the second lever 45 and cylinder 62 are unable to be lowered any further. At this stage, the seat 27 or lid 28 will be in their respective lowered positions which are the same as those depicted in figure 1. Figure 10 depicts a strip member 71 secured to a lip of a toilet seat 27 or lid 28. The strip member 71 is secured to the seat 27 or lid 28 by a screw or bolt 75. Figure 11 depicts a right-angled bracket 76 which secures the clip member 70 to the underside of a flat-bottomed seat 27 or Hd 28. The bracket 76 is secured to the seat 27 or lid 28 by a screw or bolt 75. Throughout the specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.