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  Device for lowering toilet seatsUSPTO Application #: 20060143811Title: Device for lowering toilet seats Abstract: A device for lowering a toilet seat of a toilet from an upright position to a lowered position. The device includes a lever attached to a flushing handle of the toilet, an end portion of the lever moving from a first position to a second position when the handle is pivoted to flush the toilet. The device further includes an arm coupled to a toilet seat lid, the arm moving from a first position and to a second position, in moving to the second position, the arm moving the toilet seat from its upright position thereby causing the toilet seat to fall from its upright position to its lowered position. A linkage having a first end coupled to the end portion of the lever and a second end coupled to the arm is provided such that, as the end portion of the lever moves from its first position to its second position in response to pivoting of the handle to flush the toilet, the arm moves from its first position to its second position moving the toilet seat from its upright position and thereby causing the toilet seat to fall from its upright position to its lowered position. (end of abstract)
Agent: Watts, Hoffmann Co., L.p.a. - Cleveland, OH, US Inventor: Kambiz Romina USPTO Applicaton #: 20060143811 - Class: 004246100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Opener Or Closer For A Closet Seat Or Lid The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060143811. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a toilet accessories and, more particularly, to a device for lowering a toilet seat upon flushing the toilet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A long enduring complaint by women is that men often forget to lower a toilet seat after urinating in a toilet. A woman subsequently using the toilet may fail to recognize that the seat is upright, especially under conditions of low illumination in the bathroom or where there is an urgency to use the toilet, and will fall into the toilet bowl. In addition to obvious embarrassment of falling into the toilet bowl, there is also a significant risk of injury especially for elderly or overweight persons. [0003] Several prior art patents disclose toilet seat lowering devices that attempt to address this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,928 to Probasco discloses a device comprising a wedge member coupled to but spaced from the toilet handle. When the handle is pivoted downwardly to flush the toilet, the wedge member slides between the vertically positioned toilet seat and the toilet lid causing the seat to be nudged from its vertical position and thereby falling to its lowered position by force of gravity. [0004] The device disclosed in the '928 patent is problematic. To work properly, the wedge member must be precisely aligned with the small gap between the toilet seat and lid when both are in an upright position. Because of the limited arcuate movement of the toilet handle, the wedge member moves in a very short arcuate path, thus, the precise positioning of the wedge member is even more critical. Since the distance and offset between the handle and the seat-lid gap will vary both by toilet and by toilet seat assembly may vary, custom fitting of the device will be needed to determine and conform to the necessary spacing and offset between the wedge member and the handle. Thus, a single prefabricated device will not function for all toilets and seat assemblies. [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,897 to Lavender discloses a device that closes both the toilet seat and lid when the handle is pivoted for flushing. The device disclosed in the '897 patent includes a guide block that is attached to the toilet tank. A push pad on the end of a trip wire pushes against the lid to close the toilet seat and lid. Again, the device disclosed in the '897 patent is problematic. First the guide block must be affixed to the toilet tank. Further, since the movement of the trip wire is determined by the very short arcuate movement of the handle, the movement of the push pad outwardly from the guide block is very limited. Thus, the length of the guide block and its positioning on the toilet tank is critical and will vary from toilet to toilet and seat assembly to seat assembly. Additionally, given the overlap between the toilet set and toilet lid, there does not appear to be any way to lower the seat without simultaneously lowering the lid. Depending on the personal preferences of the persons residing in a residence, it may not be desirable to always close the lid upon flushing the toilet. [0006] What is needed is a toilet seat lowering device that provides for dependable lowering of the toilet seat upon flushing the toilet. What is also needed is a device that is easy to install on all types of conventional toilets and does not require precise measuring and/or positioning of components on the toilet or toilet seat assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat lowering device that dependably lower the seat of a toilet upon flushing the toilet. Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet set lowering device that is easy to install on all types of conventional toilets and does not require precise measuring and/or positioning of components on the toilet or toilet seat assembly. [0008] The present invention is directed to a device for lowering a toilet seat of a toilet from an upright position to a lowered position. In one embodiment, the device includes: [0009] a) a handle assembly including lever attached to a flushing handle of the toilet, an end portion of the lever moving from a first position to a second position when the handle is pivoted from a first position to a second position to flush the toilet; [0010] b) an actuation assembly including an arm coupled to a toilet seat lid, the arm moving between a first position and a second position, in moving to the second position, the arm moving the toilet seat from its upright position thereby causing the toilet seat to fall from its upright position to its lowered position; and [0011] c) a linkage having a first end coupled to the end portion of the lever and a second end coupled to the arm such that, as the end portion of the lever moves from its first position to its second position in response to pivoting of the handle to flush the toilet, the arm moves from its first position to its second position moving the toilet seat from its upright position and thereby causing the toilet seat to fall from its upright position to its lowered position. [0012] In a second embodiment, the device includes: [0013] a) a handle assembly including a lever attached to a flushing handle of the toilet, an end portion of the lever moving from a first position to a second position when the handle is pivoted from a first position to a second position to flush the toilet; [0014] b) an actuation assembly including an arm coupled to the toilet, the arm moving between a first position and a second position, in moving to the second position, the arm moving the toilet seat from its upright position thereby causing the toilet seat to fall from its upright position to its lowered position; [0015] c) a linkage having a first end coupled to the end portion of the lever and a second end coupled to the arm such that, as the end portion of the lever moves from its first position to its second position in response to pivoting of the handle to flush the toilet, the arm moves from its first position to its second position moving the toilet seat from its upright position and thereby causing the toilet seat to fall from its upright position to its lowered position; and [0016] d) wherein the arm is coupled to a front surface of a tank of the toilet and the arm bears against a toilet seat lid adjacent the toilet set to move the toilet seat from its upright position. [0017] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the exemplary embodiment of the invention are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first embodiment of a toilet seat lowering device of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 2 is top view, partly in plan and partly in section of a handle assembly of the toilet seat lowering device of FIG. 1 as seen from a plane indicated by the line 2-2 in FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the handle assembly of FIG. 2 as seen from a plane indicated by the line 3-3 in FIG. 2; Continue reading... Full patent description for Device for lowering toilet seats Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device for lowering toilet seats patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Device for lowering toilet seats or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Cam-actuated toilet seat lifting device Next Patent Application: Apparatus and method for placement of a water closet fitting Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Device for lowering toilet seats patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.55789 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
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