Area of the Invention

This invention relates to the area of bathroom appliances and in particular to an improved self activating toilet seat which can smoothly raise itself after use without the requirement for any other intervention. The arrangement of the invention could also be used to automatically lower a toilet seat if required.

Background to the Invention

The correct non use position for a toilet seat has been a matter for debate as long as toilets have existed. Most males however sem to prefer it to be stored in the "up" position i.e. in a generally vertical orientation for ease of use and others may also prefer this to ensure that the toilet is actually used in this mode.

Consequently over the years there have been many prior art disclosures of "self lifting" toilet seats. These mechanisms have associated problems which may include requiring a person to grasp a handle associated with the toilet seat which is considered unpleasant and also difficult to keep clean. Altemative seat lifting mechanisms are operated by stepping on a pedal and generally involve cables and levers and the like which act to raise or lower the seat. These are prone to wear and tear and again are difficult with respect to the maintenance of cleanliness. They may also be difficult for the elderly or infirm to operate particularly as the location of a pedal may itself be an obstacle or difficult to access.

While it may be generally conceded that it is desirable for a toilet seat to automatically return to a generally vertical position when not in use in practice this has been found difficult to achieve in a simple and hygienic manner.

Outline of the Invention

It is an object of this invention to provide a toilet seat assembly which automatically assumes a generally vertical orientation when not in use and does this through simple mechanical means.

It is a further object of the invention that the toilet seat have a short timing phase lag between when it is vacated and when it starts to lift itself. It is also an object of the invention that the lid and seat be able to be held in a generally horizontal position when this is required.

The invention is a toilet seat and Hd assembly having a spring based seat lifting means whereby, when the lid is in a raised position, the seat will also automatically raise itself to a position generally parallel with the lid when not in use and having means whereby the seat raising commences at some short time interval after use of the seat has finished.

It is preferred that the lifting means be at least one spring mechanism situated adjacent the junction of the lid and the seat.

It is further preferred that the lifting means be associated with a gearing mechanism which operates such that the initial rising motion of the seat is relatively slow and increases as it rises.

It is preferred that the seat/lid assembly be a unitary assembly which may be connected to any existing toilet pedestal and that the seat lifting mechanism be completely mechanical and automatic. It is also preferred that the weight of the toilet lid be such that the lifting mechanism is inoperable when the lid is closed over the seat.

It may also be preferred that the lid of the assembly be able to be locked to the seat when in its closed position.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we will describe by way of non-limiting example a specific embodiment thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Fig. 1 Shows a schematic side view of the toilet seat and lid assembly of the invention;

Fig. 2 Shows details of the lifting/lowering mechanism of the invention; Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

In one embodiment of the invention 10 a combination toilet lid 2 and associated seat 1 are provided with a seat lifting mechanism 3 and is adapted to be used on virtually any existing toilet pedestal 4.

In this embodiment of the invention at least one spring based lifting mechanism 3 is located behind the rear of seat 1 and adjacent the junction between the toilet seat and lid.

Although in this embodiment of the invention a spring lifting mechanism is used it is envisaged that in other embodiments of the invention alternative means including hydraulic piston means could be used thereby combining both the phase lag and lifting functions

This embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2 wherein side 90 of the lifting mechanism 3 shows the raised lid position while side 60 shows the closed lid position.

The arrangement is that the toilet seat 1 is attached to the mechanism 3 and as the seat 1 lowered towards a horizontal position horizontal cylinder 20 rotates such that a pin becomes located into a hole in the cylinder wall when the seat lid is closed thereby preventing lifting movement.

Alternatively it is possible to provide a lid which is sufficiently heavy to overcome upward movement of the seat. Where the toilet seat and lid are initially in an upright (vertical) position and the seat is lowered manually, during this operation the cylinder with pins 40 rotates and causes a rotation of the pins in such a way as to cause movement of horizontal cylinder 20, which is a piston type member, towards the centre of the system as shown in Figure 2.

As a result this spiral movement translates to the linear movement described above. Seal Head 60 is connected to horizontal piston type cylinder 20 as shown and moves towards central cylindrical member 70 and in so doing causes air to pass through a one way valve 80 such that a vacuum is produced in cylinder 70 while springs 30 become compressed.

A bleed hole is provided in cylindrical member 70 such that when downwards pressure on the seat is removed air will slowly enter the bleed hole and permit the seat to rise very slowly as the vacuum is reduced.

The speed of movement increasing as the compressed springs return the seat to its open position. This action is effected by springs 30 returning horizontal cylinder 20 and seal head 60 to their original positions. By this means the seat movement is very slow initially and provides an effective time delay.

Movement of horizontal cylinder 20 causes cylinder with pins 40 to rotate and lift the toilet seat. This movement is enabled by cylinder 20 moving the pin in cylinder with pins 40. If preferred, as previously described, the seat and lid may be stored horizontally in the locked position.

The concept of the invention can clearly be implemented in various ways and while a delay before the toilet rises is preferred the manner in which this is accomplished is not restrictive in the invention. It is therefore envisaged that any simple timer mechanism could be incorporated.

While we have described herein one specific embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that other embodiments of the invention will exhibit any number of and any combination of the features of those previously described and it is to be understood that variations and modifications in this can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.