Technical Field

The present invention pertains to touch-free toilet seat lifters, and more particularly to selective, touch-free toilet seat lifters with the options of lifting the cover separately from the seat or the seat and cover together.

Background

Growing concerns of transfer of infections and contaminations between users of toilets produce different hands-free solutions such as electronic remote control or manual devices for remote lifting of the seat. Bi-functional device for lifting the lid once separately from and second together with the seat is suggested in US 6,842,916.

This device comprises extendable handle that pulls a hook away from the lower side of the seat to allow separate lifting of the lid. The device attaches to the lid with a tongue and adhesive tape attached to it. While this is a bi-functional device, it requires repeated pulling out and pushing in the handle to switch between the two operations.

The present invention addresses the need for bi-functional touch-free toilet seat lifters having configurations different than those suggested in the prior art and that do not require excessive action for switching between states.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide bi-functional touch-free toilet seat lifter that is compact in size and requires only minimal effort in operation.

Other objects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent as the description unfolds. Summary

In one aspect, the present invention provides bi-functional touch-free lifter for toilet lid and seat with structure that enables joint lifting of the toilet seat and lid and separate lifting of the lid from the seat. The lifter prevents contact with parts of the toilet with high risk of carrying contamination left after use and indirect transfer to other users. Further, users are provided with better sanitary conditions and feeling when not required to be physically exposed to possible contamination accumulated on the toilet seat and lid. Rather only a small area of a user thumb lightly contacts the lifter of the present invention, thus minimizing the exposure to potential contamination.

The basic structure of the lifter of the present invention comprises handle for lifting and lowering the lid or lid and seat together, engagement part for engaging with the lid, lower support for lifting the seat and flexible neck at the intersection between the handle, engagement part and lower support. Essentially, the flexible neck is configured to transfer pressure applied on the handle to the lower support, disengage the contact of the lower support with the lower side of the seat and allow the lifting of the lid separately from the seat, leaving the seat laid horizontally on the edge of the toilet bowl. First, such structure requires only one device for both types of use of the toilet and for the two sexes, male and female. Second, it is compact in size and easily operated due to the flexible connecting neck that enables switching between separate and joint lifting of the lid and seat.

The basic structure of the lifter of the present invention encompasses several configurations. In one embodiment, the engagement part of the lifter is elongated tongue interfacing the upper or lower surfaces of the lid. The interface of the engagement part may be releasable adhesive double-sided tape attached to the engagement part lower or upper surfaces, respectively. Alternatively, the elongated tongue comprises releasable fastener such as releasable bump-groove coupling, particularly in the upper surface of the lid. In a third embodiment, the engagement is integrated with the lid, thus strongly fastening the lifter to the lid.

The lower support of the lifter interfaces the lower surface of the seat and is configured to hold and lift the seat together with the lid. The lower support is also configured to respond to pressure applied on the handle, which is communicated to it through the flexible neck. As a result, the lower support is configured to disengage from the lower surface of the seat and move upwards with all other parts of the !ifter engaged to the lid. Further, in one particular embodiment, the lower support is configured with such angle that enables it to slide back beneath the seat into the space of the toilet bowl upon sudden strike with the bowl edge. This may happen, for example, upon free fall from vertical to horizontal positions of the lid and seat on the bowl edge.

The engagement of the lifter is configured to hold and lift the lid and may be further backed with a middle support that interfaces the lower surface of the lid. This addition forms a more confined space for the lid and further secures it between the engagement part and middle support when lifting it separately from the seat.

In still another particular embodiment, the flexible neck is seamlessly connected to the handle at the region between the handle, engagement part and lower support and on the same plane with the handle and engagement part. In such configuration the flexible neck appears as an extension or continuation of the handle. In still another embodiment, the flexible neck is on the same plane with the engagement part and handle, seamlessly forming a narrow region above the lower curved part that distinguishes between the handle and engagement part.

In one embodiment, the lifter is a monolithic single-molded polymeric unit

(preferably polypropylene), with varying thicknesses of its different parts depending on their functionality. Particularly, the bendable zone is continuous with all other parts of the lifter, thinned and rendered weaker, with thickness smaller than that of the engagement part, handle and lower support. For further flexibility and protection, the flexible neck may also be protected with rubber wrapping [i.e., neoprene), The engagement part may attach to the upper surface of the lid with any detachable means, when it is not integrated with it. Particular examples are double-sided tape, Velcro and vacuum ring.

In still another embodiment, the handle is covered with antiseptic wrap. Such wrap may be liquid spray with slow decomposition and evaporation that provides further protection to consecutive users. In another option, the cover may be antiseptic tape releasably adhered to the handle surface. In still another option, the cover may be antiseptic glove removably dressed on the handle body. In another option, the handle itself can be made of an ti -bacterial material embedded in the main polymer material of the handle.

The following describes non-limiting examples and configurations of the present invention as defined in its broader scope. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates particular configuration of the lifter engaged to a toilet lid.

Fig. 2 is perspective view of particular configuration of the lifter engaged to the toilet seat and lid.

Fig.3 is a view of particular configuration of the lifter engaged to a toilet lid in vertical position.

Fig. 4 is a view of particular configuration of the lifter engaged to the toilet seat and lid in vertical position.

Fig. 5 is a view of particular configuration of the lifter engaged to the toilet seat and lid in horizontal position over the toilet bowl. Fig, 6 is perspective view of particular configuration of the lifter of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is cross-section perspective view of particular configuration of the lifter of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is perspective view of particular configuration of the lifter with cover of flexible neck part removed.

Fig. 9 is side view of particular configuration of the lifter with the flexible neck part exposed- Fig. 10 illustrates another particular design of the lifter of the present invention. Fig. 11 is bottom view of the other design of the lifter engaged to the toilet lid.

Fig. 12 is side view of the other design of the lifter engaged to the toilet seat and lid. Fig. 13 illustrates third design of the lifter of the present invention.

Fig. 14 illustrates another design of the lifter with seamless continuation of the flexible neck with the engagement part and bottom of the toilet lid.

Fig. 15 illustrates another design of the lifter with flexible neck.

Fig. 16 illustrates another design of the lifter integrated with a toilet lid.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The following describes particular non-limiting examples of a bi-functional touch- free toilet seat lifter of the present invention. These examples demonstrate possible ways for implementing the conceptual structure of the bi-functional touch-fi-ee toilet seat lifter and are to be construed only as exemplary for the most general configuration of such lifter. The basic structure of the lifter of the present invention may take different configurations and designs as illustrated in Figs. 1-9, 10-12, 13-14, 15 and 16. Figs, 1-9 show different views of a lifter (1) configuration with the following parts:

engagement part (3) in the form of elongated tongue extending on the upper surface of the lid [7b); handle (2} for holding and lifting and lowering the lid (7b) and seat (7a) with the lifter (1);

lower support (4) engaged to the lower surface of the seat (7a) for lifting it together with the lid (7b);

flexible neck (5) for transferring pressure applied on the engagement part (3) to the lower support (4); and

middle support (6) for securing the holding of the lid (7b) together with the engagement part (3) upon lifting it.

As shown in Figs. 2-4·, the lifter (1) can lift the seat (7a) and lid (7b) together or the lid (7b) separately from the seat (7a), leaving the seat (7a) in horizontal position over the edge of the toilet bowl. The flexible neck (5) comprises essentially flexible cover and thin neck (5') within as shown in perspective and side views in Figs, 8-9, respectively. The thin neck (5') is situated at the intersection between the handle (2), engagement part (3) and lower support (4). It is so designed as the thinner and weakest part in the lifter (1) configured to respond and receive pressure applied on the handle (2), when only lifting of the lid (7b) is desired. Then the neck (5') transfers that pressure to the lower support (4). The relatively small thickness of the thin neck (5') imparts it its flexibility and capability to receive the strain that the handle (2) experiences and translate it to the disengagement of lower support (4) from the lower surface of the seat (7a).

The middle support (6) extends forward from the intersection occupied by the flexible neck (5) and forms confined region around the lid (7b). This way, both the middle support (6) provides support to the lid (7b) from below. The middle support (6) thus further secures the lid (7b) in confined space and ensures its lifting, particularly in a case of disengagement of the engagement part (3) off of the upper surface of the lid (7b). The middle support (6) may be serrated as shown in perspective and cross-section views in Figs. 6-7. Teeth (6') ensure better friction of the middle support (6) with the lower surface of the lid (7b), and prevent it from sliding along the surface upon application of pressure on the handle (2) and lifting of the lid [7b).

Fig. 5 shows the lifter (1) in horizontal position when seat (7a) and lid (7b) rest on the toilet bowl. The lifter (1) is obviously both functional and compact, not required to substantially extend outwards of the toilet edges to be able to lift the seat and lid.

Figs. 10-12 illustrate another configuration of a lifter (la) of the present invention, for another type of toilet lid (7b) that covers completely the toilet seat (7a), that has perpendicular circumference edge strip (7c) where the handle (2a) is orthogonal to the engagement part (3a) and the edge strip (7c), the lower support (4a), which is a minimal narrow protrusion in contact with the edge strip (7c), and the middle support (6a). The lifter (la) is designed to stop at the end of the movement, to prevent over-extension. The middle support (6a) is relatively short rectangular bar in contact with the edge strip (7c). This lifter (la) has the same functionalities of that in the configuration of the lifter (1) in Figs. 1-9. The flexible neck (5a) is located at the intersection between the handle (2a) and engagement part (3a) for transferring pressure applied to the handle (2a) and translated to the lower support (4a). The engagement part (3a) folds upon itself and forms continuous solid with the handle (2a), lower support (4a) and middle support (6a). The advantage of the lower support (4a) in this configuration is that it may be released much more easily below the seat and out of the bowl space due to its small size and limited movement, while preventing over-extension of the flexible neck (5a). Fig, 13 is illustration of another configuration of the lifter (lb), with handle (2b) communicating with engagement part (3b), lower support (4b) and middle support (6b) through flexible neck (5b), The flexible neck (5b) is on the same plane of handle (3b), where the lower support (4b) extends straight from handle (2b) body and is curve shaped. The engagement part (3b) is configured as rectangular plate that extends vertically downwards at its proximal end then turns in a straight angle to form a two-part middle support (6b) on the two sides of the lower support (4b).

Fig. 14 illustrates another configuration of the lifter (lc), where the flexible neck (5c) is relatively thinner part of the lifter, which has a self-flexibleness character. The flexible neck (5c) seamlessly continues the handle (2c) into the engagement part (3c). The lower support (4c) extends downwards from the handle lower surface in straight plane, and is inclined upwards at its distal end, which is in contact with the lower surface of the seat (7a).

Fig, 15 is another configuration of the lifter (1d) with seamless connection between the handle (2d) and engagement part (3d) and above the lower support (4d). The lower support (4d) has a curved shape with distal edge slightly facing down. Fig. 16 illustrates another configuration of the lifter (le), where the engagement part (3e) is merged with the lid (7b), the flexible neck (5e) is located at the border of the merging region with the lid (7b), where the handle (2e) and lower support (4e) extend outwards and downwards, respectively, from this merging region. The merging of the engagement part (3e) with the lid (7b) reinforces the connection of the lifter (le) to the lid (7b) and ensures that it does not disengage from it upon an action of pulling up or away, whether intentional or not.

Although selected embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, Instead, it is to be appreciated that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.