TITLE OF THE INVENTION

TOILET SEAT LID WITH MIRRORED SURFACE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toilet seat Hd that is hingedly attached to a toilet seat wherein the toilet seat lid has one or more mirrored surfaces thereon.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Mirrors are a common fixture in most toilets, oftentimes even being found in a portable toilet. The mirror allows a user of the toilet to be able to look in the mirror to check on the need for hair combing, teeth brushing or flossing, face washing etc. The mirror also allows a person to see if his or her wardrobe needs adjustment, stain removal, lint removal, etc. Mirrors are a great resource and people know that if they need to see themselves in one for whatever reason, chances are, a mirror can be found in most toilets, whether public or within a private home or office. In fact, mirrors are so prevalent in bathroom settings that many people use a mirror for some purpose or another during every visit to a bathroom in a somewhat automatic fashion without much conscious thought be given to the fact that a mirror is present and being used.

While mirrors are great and many people would be uncomfortable with a visit to a bathroom wherein the person lacked access to a mirror during the trip, the are limitations in a typical bathroom setting. In most bathrooms, especially public bathrooms, the mirror is of limited height, often being located above a sink counter. In very small bathrooms, such as half baths in homes, or portable toilets, the mirror may be located on a medicine cabinet door or otherwise be very small. While such limitations in mirror size are acceptable to some, many people want to be able to see their entire body to assure that their clothes are in proper order after

bathroom use. Small mirrors only allow a person to be able to see his or her face and possibly the torso and upper waist region. Most bathroom mirrors do not allow a person to see their entire lower body down to the feet. As full length mirrors are the exception rather than the norm in most bathrooms, such people leave the bathroom disappointed. In some instances, a person can see the entire lower body by backing up away from the mirror, however, most bathrooms have limited real estate and such an ability is reserved for only the largest and grandest of bathrooms, which bathrooms ironically tend to have full length mirrors.

A solution to this problem is to place a full length mirror into the bathroom in order to allow users to have the ability to see their entire bodies during mirror use. However, as with floor real estate, wall real estate is also at a premium in many bathroom settings, and placement of a full length mirror may prove difficult if not impossible. Often, the only realistic area for mirror placement is above the sink with the wall area below the sink being reserved for sink hardware.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a device that allows a person to be able to see the lower section of his or body within a bathroom setting. Such a device must be able to be installed in most bathrooms without the need to sacrifice other needs for wall real estate. Ideally, such a device should be relatively simple in design and construction and be easy to install and use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The toilet seat lid with mirrored surface of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art. The toilet seat lid with mirrored surface allows a person to be able to see the lower section of his or body during a bathroom visit. The toilet seat lid with mirrored surface can be installed in almost all bathrooms without the need to sacrifice other needs for wall real estate. The toilet seat lid with mirrored surface is relatively simple in design and construction and is easy to install and use.

The toilet seat lid with mirrored surface of the present invention is comprised of a toilet seat that is attached to a toilet in standard fashion. A lid is hingedly attached to the toilet seat and is articulatable between a spaced apart position with the toilet seat and an apposed position with the toilet seat, the lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, such that the upper surface has a first recess therein. A first mirror is inlaid within the first recess. Either the lower surface of the lid or the upper surface of the lid faces the toilet seat whenever the lid is in the apposed position. The first mirror is adhered to the lid within the first recess. A second mirror may be provided and be inlaid within a second recess located on the lower surface of the lid. The second mirror is adhered to the lid within the second recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the toilet seat lid with mirrored surface of the present invention installed on a toilet.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the toilet seat lid with mirrored surface with etching on the mirror.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the toilet seat lid with mirrored surface partially exploded.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the toilet seat lid with mirrored surface with the lid in a raised position. Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the toilet seat lid with mirrored surface of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral 10, is comprised of atypical toilet seat 12 that is attached to a toilet T in standard fashion. A lid 14, which has an upper surface 16 and the lower surface 18 (the terms upper surface 16 and lower surface 18 are merely for convenience and do not imply any particular orientation of the lid 14 with respect to the toilet seat 12 and the two terms can be interchangeable), is hingedly attached to the toilet seat 12 via hinges 20 and the lid 14 is articulatable between a raised position with the toilet seat 12 and an apposed position with the toilet seat 12. Stops 22 can be located on the lower surface 18 of the lid 14 in order to rest the lid 14 on the toilet seat 12 whenever the lid 14 is in apposed position with respect to the toilet seat 12. Either the upper surface 16 of the lid 14, the lower surface 18 of the lid 14 or both have a recess 24 disposed therein. A mirror 26 of any appropriate construction (glass, Plexiglas, etc.,) is disposed within each recess 24 that is provided. An adhesive 28 can be used to secure the mirror 26 to the lid 14 within the respective recess 24, although the mirror 26 may also be secured within the recess 24 of the lid 14 by other appropriate means including double-sided tape, cooperating hook and loop materials, etc. Advantageously, the shape of the mirror 26 conforms with the shape of its respective recess 24 and substantially fills the recess 24 and is generally flush with the top of the surface 16 or 18 within which the mirror 26 is installed so that the lid 14 has a smooth and unitary look as is common for toilet lids generally. The mirror 26 may have etchings 30 on its surface or other decorative features associated with it.

The use of a mirror 26 on the surface of the toilet lid 14, especially on the lower surface 18 (that surface that faces the toilet seat 12 whenever the lid 14 is in the apposed position with

respect to the toilet seat 12) gives a person the ability to see the entire lower section of their body without the need to use a full length mirror. Additionally, by providing a mirror 26 on the opposite surface of the lid 14 (in this case the upper surface 16), a person can perform a desired self-examination in the privacy of a toilet setting. A lid 14 that has a mirror 26 on both its upper surface 16 surface and its lower surface 18 provides a user with substantial reflective capabilities

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.