In gentlemen's toilets it is often unpleasant to use the toilet seat to sit on as the previous occupant has often urinated on the seat.

According to this invention there is provided a lifting mechanism for use with a toilet seat, which toilet seat is movable between a lowered position and a raised position, comprising: means actuated when the toilet seat is moved to the lowered position which initially retain the toilet seat in the lowered position and which subsequently release the seat and means applying an upward bias to the seat to raise the seat when said retaining means release the seat.

Advantageously said means to apply an upward bias to the seat comprise at least one spring.

Preferably the mechanism incorporates a damper to damp upward movement of the seat.

Conveniently said lifting mechanism is incorporated in a toilet seat.

Preferably said toilet seat is pivotally mounted to a toilet.

Advantageously said means to retain the toilet seat in a lowered position comprise at least one suction cup.

Conveniently the or each suction cup is provided on the underside of the toilet seat to engage a toilet bowl.

Alternatively the seat carries a mounting lug having a face which is located adjacent a corresponding face of a housing which pivotally supports the seat, one said face carrying a projection which is received in a recess defined in the other said face, the section cup being located to form a connection between one end of the recess and one end of the projection.

Preferably said suction cup is provided within a substantially sealed cavity.

Preferably the suction cup is provided with a gas flow path extending between the interior of the suction cup and the atmosphere.

Conveniently the said gas flow path is at least partly defined by a bore in an element of rigid material.

Advantageously the gas flow path incorporates an adjustable valve.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a toilet with seat and lid incorporating a lifting mechanism in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the toilet seat, and part of the toilet lid illustrating the lifting, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of part of the toilet seat, toilet lid and lifting mechanism of Figure 2, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the underside of the toilet seat with parts exploded and cut away, Figure 5 is an exploded view of the interior workings of part of the lifting mechanism, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a suction cup, Figure 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of an exploded suction cup, Figure 8 is an cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an exploded suction cup, and Figure 9 is a sectional view of the suction cup of Figure 8, Figure lOa is a side view with parts shown in phantom of a housing forming part of an alternative embodiment of a lifting mechanism according to the invention, Figure lOb is a plan view of the housing of Figure 10a, Figure lOc is an electrical view of part of the housing of Figures lOa and lOb, Figure 1 la is a plan view with parts shown in phantom of part of a toilet seat for use with the housing of Figure 10.

Figure 1 lb is a side view of part of the toilet seat of Figure 1 la, Figure 11 c is a rear view of part of a toilet seat of Figure 1 la and b, Figure 1 ld is an enlarged view of the toilet seat of Figure 1 lb showing part of the housing of Figure 10, Figure 12 is a side view with parts shown in phantom of part of the housing mechanism of Figure 10 in combination with the toilet seat of Figure 11, Figure 13a is a schematic view of part of the housing of Figure 10 and the seat of Figure 11, with the toilet seat in a raised position, Figure 13b corresponds with Figure 13a to illustrate the toilet seat in a position between a raised position and a lowered position, and Figure 13c corresponding with Figure 13a illustrating one toilet seat in a lowered position.

Figure 1 generally illustrates a toilet 1. The toilet comprises a toilet bowl 2, and toilet seat 3 and a toilet lid 4. The toilet bowl, seat and lid are arranged in the conventional fashion with the toilet seat and toilet lid being pivotally mounted 5 to the toilet bowl. The toilet lid 4 may pivot relative to the toilet seat and relative to the toilet bowl. Also the toilet seat 3 may pivot relative to the toilet lid and the toilet bowl.

Referring to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings the toilet seat, is substantially oval in plan view and defines an aperture in its central portion. The rear of the toilet seat defines two substantially cylindrical lugs 6 and 7.

The lugs 6,7 are evenly spaced at the rear of the seat 3.

The lid 4 is substantially oval in plan view and is provided with a downwardly directed lip around substantially all of its perimeter. The rear part of the toilet lid is provided with two spaced apart lugs 8 and 9 which depend from the undersurface of the lid adjacent each outer edge of the lid. Each lug 8,9 is substantially cylindrical.

In the present embodiment, there is provided a housing 10. The housing 10 is substantially cylindrical in cross-section and is provided with a bore along the central axis of the cylinder. The housing is provided with a pair of substantially rectangular flanges 11 and 12 extending from the opposed ends of the housing. Each substantially rectangular flange 11 and 12 is provided with a substantially rectangular aperture 13 and 14 extending therethrough.

The apertures 13 and 14 are adapted to be positioned above and aligned with holes in the rear lip of the toilet bowl. A respective bolt 15 is passed through each of the apertures 13 and 14 through a respective washer 16 and through a respective one of the holes in the toilet bowl. A wing nut 17 is utilised to tighten each bolt. The housing 10 is thus attached to the toilet bowl.

A pair of coiled springs 18 and 19 are inserted into the central bore of the housing 10, with one spring being partly inserted into one end of the bore and the other spring being partly inserted into the other end of the bore. Each spring has linear extension of each of the two terminal turns of the spring. The terminal extension on the end of the spring within the bore engages a recess that forms part of the bore in the housing to prevent that end of the spring rotating. The other extension is located on the exterior of the housing and is positioned to engage the lid 4, to provide an upward bias to the lid when the lid is in the lowered position.

Each of the lugs 6,7,8 and 9 is provided with a central bore. The central bore is substantially cylindrical except in the case of lug 6 where the part of the central bore 21 which is directed away from the lug 7 of a'D'shape formation.

The toilet seat 3 is positioned above the toilet bowl so that the lugs 6 and 7 provided on the toilet seat are located on either side of the housing 10. The toilet lid 4 is lowered into position so that the lugs 8 and 9 provided on the toilet lid are located adjacent the outer edges of the lugs 6 and 7 provided on the toilet seat. A pivot pin 20 extends through the lug 9 into the lug 7 through the centre of springs 18 and 19 in the bore provided in the housing 10 and then partially into the central bore provided in the lug 6. An additional pin 33 (see Figure 5) is inserted into the'D'shaped aperture 21 provided in the lug 6 and into a casing 22 which is provided with damper means, which are further illustrated in Figure 5. A final pivot pin 23, formed integrally with and extending from the casing 22 into the lug 8 provided in the toilet seat. The toilet seat and lid are then pivotally mounted in position.

It can be seen from Figure 3 that the housing 10 is provided with a rearwardly directed, substantially rectangular flange 24. When the seat and lid are pivoted about the pivot pin, the rectangular flange 24 engages the rear portion of the toilet seat or lid and limits rotation. It is to be appreciated that the rotation is limited to approximately 80° from the toilet bowl and that this is particularly useful in the case of high-level toilet systems.

Turning to Figure 4, the underside of a toilet seat is illustrated. The toilet seat has two substantially cylindrical projections 25 located at spaced points on its under-surface. The projections are each provided towards the front portion of the toilet seat. Each projection houses a releasable suction device 26. The suction devices 26 will be described in detailed below.

Figure 5 illustrates the damper system which is provided in the casing 22. The casing 22 is provided with a central blind bore 29. The bore 29 is to be filled with a viscous substance such as oil. Provided within the bore 29 are a number of roller bearings 30. The roller bearings are held in position by a substantially'C'shaped element 31 with the bearings being located between the periphery of the bore and the element 31. The'C'shaped element is provided with a number of vanes 32 which project inwards of the element. A pin 33 is also provided. The pin is substantially cylindrical, but has a section cut away towards one end providing a flat upper surface 33 and a substantially 'D'shaped cross-section. This'D'shaped pin 33 is the pin which extends into the'D'shaped aperture 21 provided in lug 6 on the toilet seat. The end 34 of the pin which is of cylindrical form is inserted into the centre of the'C'shaped element 31. The vanes and bearings permit free movement of the pin 33 when rotated in one direction, but provide resistance to rotation in the opposite direction. Thus, the damper mechanism provides a one-way clutch-like action.

As shown in Figure 4, the underside of seat 3 is provided adjacent its front end with one or two releasable suction devices in the form of suction cups 26 for suctional attachment to the rim of the toilet bowl-in a substantially pre- determined time-release manner. The or each device 26 comprises a cylindrical projection 25 depending from the underside of seat 3 and which is coaxial with an inner depending wall 27 which is of tubular form formed in the underside of seat 3. The wall 25 and the tubular wall 27 are integral with the main body of the seat 3. The space between the walls 25 and 27 slidably accommodates a generally cup-shaped housing 35 that has an elevated, part-conical base wall 36 provided with a central aperture 37 and a peripheral upstanding flange. A suction cap or cup 38, comprising a flexible bell-like element 39 depending from an elongate tubular stem 40, has its stem 40 extending through the aperture 37 such that the flexible bell-like element 39 nests within the part- conical base wall 36 of housing 35. The latter is urged against the top surface of the flexible bell-like element 39 by a low-force, coiled compression spring 41 acting between the underside of seat 3 and the base wall 36 of the generally cup-shaped housing 35. The tubular stem 40 of the suction cap or cup 38 engages the barbed outer surface 42 of an adjustable air-bleed device 43 of the needle-valve type in which an externally screw-threaded needle 44 engages with clearance an internal screw-thread in the device 43 and has its leading tip or needle end co-operable with a narrow tapered bore 45 which is also formed in the device 43. Adjustment of the degree of insertion of needle 44 into bore 45 regulates the air flow through the air bleed device 43 into the flexible bell- like element 39 of suction cap or cup 38.

Once the needle valve has been regulated or set to the desired air flow rate, the suction device's tubular stem 40 (with the air-bleed device 43 therein) is inserted with a tight fit into a bung 46 that is itself a tight-fit in the tubular wall 27. These tight-fitting engagements may be assisted or providing barbs on the external surfaces of device 43 and of tubular stem 40. The bung 46 is externally stepped and is provided with an inclined air passage 47 to allow air communication-via the restricted orifice means provided by the air-bleed device 43-between atmosphere on the exterior of the suction device 26 (i. e. in the space between the seat 3 and the rim 2 of the toilet bowl) and the interior of the flexible bell-like element 39. Thus a restricted gas flow path is created between the atmosphere and the interior of the suction cup.

In use, when the seat 3 is lowered, the one-way clutch-like action of damper mechanism 22 provides very little resistance to such motion and the seat 3 can pivot downwards, somewhat increasing the tension in the coiled springs 18,19, but otherwise much as a conventional freely-pivoted seat.

When the user sits on the lowered seat 3 his/her weight urges the suction cap or cup 38 of the or each suction device 26 into forceful engagement of the rim 2 of the toilet bowl such that the flexible wall or bell-like element 39 is flattened and/or spreads outwards to decrease the volume of the chamber 48 between flexible element 39 and the rim 2 of the toilet bowl.

This condition continues to apply until, when the user rises from off the seat The inherent resilience of bell-like element 39 coupled with the action of springs 18,19 tends to pull the seat 3 upwardly against the suction effect of the cap or cup 38. Air is drawn, at a predetermined rate set by the needle valve into the chamber 48 of the suction cup 38. However the seat 3 remains in its lowered condition until the air pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the chamber 48 is equalised or at least reduced to a level at which the suction resistance to the force of springs 18,19 is overcome. Thereafter, once the engagement between the or each suction device 26 and the toilet bowl rim is released, the toilet seat 3 will start to rise by pivoting upwardly.

The rising motion of seat 3 is damped by the one-way damping mechanism 22 so that the seat 3 rises slowly (i. e. without suddenness) until it comes gently to rest in an approximately vertical attitude defined (a) by the engagement of the rear edge of seat 3 with the flange 24 projecting rearwardly of housing 10, or (b) by the engagement of the forward end of seat 3 with the low-level cistern (not shown) providing flush water for the toilet, or (c) by the engagement of the forward end of seat 3 with a front panel or like wall behind which is located the cistern providing flush water for the toilet.

This attenuated rising motion of the seat avoids-or at least minimises- risk of injury to users of the toilet were the motion to be sudden and undamped due to the springs 18,19 alone.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the suction cup.

The suction cup comprises a substantially resilient element 49. The element 49 defines a base and an outer wall 50. The outer wall is substantially cylindrical in shape. An annular channel 51 is defined between the outer wall 50 and a substantially cylindrical upwardly directed hollow projection 52 provided in the centre of the element. The base of the housing defines a substantially frusto- conically shaped recess 53 the interior surface of which defines an engagement face 54.

A central axial bore 55 is provided which communicates with the recess 46 and which extends into the cylindrical projection 52. The projection 52 has a uniform wall thickness and is configured so that the axial bore 55 is provided with a pair of successive portions of enlarged diameter, which form frusto-conical recesses extending outwardly from the axis of the bore.

The central bore 55 is filled by a rigid non-resilient plug 56 configured to be matingly received within the bore 55. This plug 56 is provided with a pair of substantially frusto-conical projections. The central plug 56 is provided with a central axial bore hole 57. The bore hole 57 is of a precisely selected diameter to permit a predetermined air-flow through the gas flow path that is partly defined by the bore 55. The bore may be of a precisely predetermined size because of the rigid nature of the plug 56.

A rigid mounting element 58 of generally cylindrical form has one end formed with or secured to a toilet seat. The end of the element 58 remote from the toilet seat is provided with an axial bore 59. The interior of the bore 59 of non uniform cross-section so that the bore is provided with a pair of successive portions of enlarged diameter which form frusto-conical recesses 60 which correspond to the frusto-conical projections provided in the housing. The bore 59 terminates with a bleed hole 61 which extends from the central bore 59 to the exterior of the element 58. The lower end of the element 58 substantially fills the annular channel 51 provided in the element 49, with the projection 52 being received in the bore 59.

Thus the central bore of the element 58 is substantially filled by the central projection 52 of the element 49 and the plug 56 is located within the bore 55. The frusto-conical projections and recesses provided on each of the elements serve to prevent the elements from disengaging from one another.

When in use, the toilet seat is lowered and weight of a user is applied the suction cup is compressed so that substantially all of the air in the recess 53 is displaced and the engagement face 50 is brought into contact with the rim of a toilet bowl.

When weight is removed from the toilet seat, the resilient nature of the housing of the suction cup in conjunction with an upward force applied to the cup by springs equivalent to the springs 18,19 described above causes the engagement faces to lift slightly away from the rim of the toilet bowl. The central bore of the plug 57 and the bleed hole 61 are in gas communication with one another. Over a period of time, the low pressure region provided in the recess 53 causes air from the atmosphere on exterior of the suction cup to be sucked in through the gas flow path that incorporates the bleed hole 61, with the air passing down the central bore 57. This will gradually equalise the air pressure inside the recess 51 with the air pressure on the outside of the suction cup. When the air pressure outside the suction cup and inside the suction cup are equal the suction cup will lose its grip and the toilet seat will rise.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the suction cups are positioned so that they do not contact the toilet bowl. Illustrated in Figure IOA is a housing 70. The housing 70 has parts which are substantially similar to those described above and consequently like parts have been given similar reference numerals and will not be re-described. The housing comprises a substantially cylindrically central portion 71 and two substantially cylindrically end portions 72 and 73 which are aligned with the central position but spaced therefrom. The end portions and the central portion are connected to and spaced apart from one another by means of a substantially rectangular flange.

The substantially rectangular flange extends past the end portions 72,73 of the housing and is provided with substantially rectangular apertures 13 and 14 at each end thereof and extending therethrough. A central axial bore is provided extending through the centre of each of the portions 71,72,73 of the housing. The housing 70 is attached to a toilet bowl by passing a bolt through each of the rectangular apertures 13,14 as has been previously described.

One of the end portions of the housing 72 is provided with a substantially part-annular recess 74. The recess is formed in the wall of the end portion that faces the central portion 71. The recess extends from a point which is level with the central axis of the housing around the lower part of the housing up to a point which is above the central axis of the housing. The centre of curvature of the recess is coincident with the axial bore. One end 75 of the inside of the recess provides a smooth engagement face.

As shown in Figure 11 the toilet seat. There is provided a toilet seat 3 is provided with a pair of lugs 6 and 7. The lugs 6 and 7 are dimensioned to be located in the spaces defined between the three cylindrical portions of the housing 7 with one side face of the lug 6 being adjacent the wall of the end portion 72 that defines the recess 74. The said side face of the lug 6 carries a laterally extending projection 76 which is of arcuate shape dimensioned to be received within the recess 74. One end of the projection is horizontal relative to the central axis of the lug 6 when the seat is in the lowered position. The opposed end 78 is located so that the angular extent of the projection 76 is less than the angular extent of the recess 74.

A suction device 26 is provided on the upper surface of the horizontal end portion 77. A substantially circular bore is defined in the upper surface of the projection 76 into which part of the suction device 26 extends. The suction device 26 is substantially similar to the device described in the previous embodiment. An air-bleed channel is provided which extends from the interior of the suction cup through the projection 76 to a point on the outside of the projection 76.

Part of the suction device 26 which extends upwardly from the surface 77 is provided with a plurality of horizontally aligned external ridges 79. The ridges help to absorb the shock when the suction device 26 is bought into contact with an engagement surface.

As shown in Figure 12 the projection 76 provided on the exterior of the lug of the toilet seat is inserted into the recess 74 defined in the housing 70 when the seat and lid are assembled. The projection 76 is able to move within the recess 74 as the toilet seat pivots. It is to be appreciated that the projection 76 bearing the suction device 26 is within a substantially sealed cavity.

In the condition illustrated in Figure 13A the seat is in an upright position. The end 78 of the projection 76 which is not provided with a suction device is in abutment with one end of the recess 74, preventing further pivotal movement of the seat in one direction. As the toilet seat is pivoted from the upright position to the lowered position the projection 76 passes through the condition illustrated in Figure 13B until it reaches the condition illustrated in 13C. In the condition illustrated in 13C the suction cup 26 is compressed against the smooth end of the channel 75 to form a suctional engagement with the end of the channel. The seat is retained in this position by the weight of a person sitting on the seat.

When the person gets off the seat, air from the atmosphere is able to enter the suction device via the gas flow passage that incorporates bleed hole 43 until the air pressure inside the suction device is equal to the air pressure outside the suction device, and the suctional seal is released.

It is to be appreciated that in this embodiment the suction device is enclosed within a substantially sealed cavity and will not come into contact with parts of the toilet which could be contaminated.

It is to be understood that in the embodiments of Figures 8 to 13 springs equivalent to the springs 18 and 19 will be provided to apply an upward bias to the seat to raise the seat from a lowered position.