Device for cleaning a toilet seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cleaning a toilet seat ( 12 ). In order to achieve a satisfactory cleansing consuming as little energy as possible, the inventive device comprises a mobile cleaning unit ( 18 ) which can be moved along the toilet seat ( 12 ) by means of water power.

1 . A device for cleaning a toilet seat ( 12 ),  
       characterized in that the device has a mobile cleaning unit ( 18 ) which is movable along the toilet seat ( 12 ) by means of water power.  
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 ,  
       characterized in that the device has a hydraulic drive unit ( 20 ) with a cylinder ( 22 ) in which is located a piston ( 24 ), which is movable by water power, connected with the mobile cleaning unit via actuating or drive means ( 30 ,  32 ;  88 ,  90 ).  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1  or  2 ,  
       characterized in that the drive unit ( 20 ) is located in a water tank ( 14 ), such as a flush tank.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the cylinder ( 22 ) has a first, e.g. upper, and a second, e.g. lower, water inlet ( 46 ,  48 ) as well as a first, e.g. upper, and a second, e.g. lower, water outlet ( 58 ,  60 ), the water inlets ( 46 ,  48 ) being connected with a water supply pipe ( 56 ) via a valve ( 54 ) and the water outlets ( 58 ,  60 ) opening into the water tank ( 14 ).  
     
     
         5 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the water outlets ( 58 ,  60 ) each have a valve ( 62 ,  64 ).  
     
     
         6 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that cords ( 30 ,  32 ) connected with the piston ( 24 ) movably arranged in the cylinder are provided as actuating or drive means, the cords being preferably connected with the mobile cleaning unit ( 18 ) via a gearing or a conversion unit such as a guide pulley and/or cord line ( 42 ).  
     
     
         7 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the cords ( 30 ,  32 ) are each connected to an end of the piston ( 24 ).  
     
     
         8 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the cords ( 30 ,  32 ) each pass through an upper and a lower end wall ( 34 ,  36 ), respectively, of the cylinder.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the conversion unit ( 42 ) is provided as a guide pulley ( 152 ,  158 ), having a first pulley ( 152 ) which preferably has two paths or grooves ( 154 ,  156 ), of a smaller diameter d, where, in particular, 10 mm≦d≦20 mm, preferably d=15 mm, and a second pulley ( 158 ) which has two paths or grooves ( 160 ,  162 ) of a larger diameter D, where in particular 70 mm≦D≦110 mm, preferably D=90 mm, the cords ( 30 ,  32 ) extending from the smaller diameter pulleys being connected with the piston ( 24 ) and cords ( 88 ,  90 ) extending from the larger diameter pulley ( 158 ) being connected with the cleaning unit ( 18 ).  
     
     
         10 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the mobile cleaning unit ( 18 ) is substantially U-shaped with a first, lower leg ( 18 ) that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the underside ( 76 ) of the toilet seat ( 12 ) and a second, upper leg ( 66 ) that extends parallel or substantially parallel to a surface ( 94 ), of the toilet seat ( 12 ), which is to be cleaned.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that guide pulleys ( 78 ,  80 ;  84 ,  86 ;  92 ) proceed from the lower leg ( 68 ) which engage in a guide groove ( 74 ) situated on the underside ( 76 ) of the toilet seat ( 12 ) and that cleaning elements ( 96 ,  98 ,  100 ), such as rubber wipers ( 98 ) or a brush and/or a sponge ( 96 ) and/or a container ( 100 ) for cleaning agents, proceed from the upper leg of the mobile cleaning unit ( 18 ).  
     
     
         12 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the liquid container ( 100 ) has openings ( 102 ) for discharging a cleaning fluid which is to be applied to the top ( 94 ) of the toilet seat ( 12 ) to be cleaned.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the container ( 100 ) for the cleaning agent, such as cleaning fluid, is connected with a water source and/or a reservoir ( 120 ) for cleaning fluid in the first position of the mobile cleaning unit in order to fill water and/or cleaning agent into the container ( 100 ) when required.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the mobile cleaning unit ( 18 ) is housed by a receptacle ( 16 ) so as to be protected in the first position (park position).  
     
     
         15 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the guide groove ( 74 ) provided in the toilet seat ( 12 ) has guide pulleys ( 104 ) for the cords ( 88 ,  90 ).  
     
     
         16 . The device according to at least one of the preceding claims,  
       characterized in that the lower leg ( 66 ) of the mobile cleaning unit is supported on the underside ( 76 ) of the toilet seat ( 12 ) by means of a second support ( 92 ), preferably by one or more ball bearings.