Hands-free toilet seat lifter and kit therefor

Abstract

A foot-operated apparatus for lifting and lowering a toilet seat has base support adapted to attach to an existing flooring surface using a loop and hook fastener with an adhesive material allowing the base to be easily installed and easily removed for ease of cleaning the unit and the area around the toilet. A lever foot pedal mounted in the base may be a single unit made of extruded and molded poly carbonate material for durability and corrosion resistance. A push rod pivotally connected to the foot pedal and pivotally connected to the toilet seat lifts and lowers the seat upon foot actuation and release, respectively. A leaf spring disposed in the base under the foot pedal returns the toilet seat to the down position after use. Kits may provide the disassembled parts of the apparatus and written instructions for assembly. Other parts may include a cushion disposed in the base to prevent the toilet seat from slamming down; a decorative cabinet to house the apparatus, appliques on the foot pedal to enhance grip and reduce slippage; and even a sleeve for the foot pedal to provide comfort for bare foot users.

1 . An apparatus for selectively lifting and lowering a toilet seat, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a fulcrum;   b. a foot pedal lever pivotally connected to the fulcrum and having a proximate end foot pedal portion and a distal end actuating portion;   c. a spring positioned to compress when the foot pedal is actuated and to decompress when the foot pedal is released from actuation;   d. a push rod pivotally connected to the-actuating portion of the foot pedal lever at a first end and a second end pivotally connected to the toilet seat, and   e. a fastener attached to the push rod and attached to the toilet seat whereby the toilet seat lifts upon actuation of the foot pedal lever and the toilet seat lowers without slamming upon release of the foot pedal lever.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push rod comprises a first rod pivotally connected to the actuation portion of the foot pedal at a first end and having a threaded second end; a second rod pivotally connected to the toilet seat at a first end and having a threaded second end; and a turn buckle adjustably connecting the threaded end of the first rod and the threaded end of the second rod, so that the length of the push rod can be adjusted by turning the turn buckle. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spring comprises a foil leaf spring. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a base and an axel wherein the fulcrum comprises the axel suspended on the base, the axel being disposed through the foot pedal lever such that upon actuation or upon release from actuation the foot pedal pivots about the axel. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the base further comprises one or more mounts to secure the base in proximity to the toilet seat to keep the base from slipping upon actuation of the foot pedal. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the mounts comprises a loop and hook type mount to secure the base. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the mounts comprises one or more holes for receiving a screw. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cabinet to house the apparatus, the cabinet having a front opening through which extends the foot pedal and a top opening through which extends the push rod. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the cabinet may be selectively removed or opened to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more components of the apparatus comprises a corrosion-resistant material. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus, of  claim 10 , wherein the corrosion-resistant material comprises a polycarbonate. 
   
   
       12 . A kit for assembling an apparatus for selectively lifting and lowering a toilet seat, the kit comprising:
 a. a fulcrum;   b. a foot pedal lever pivotally eonnectable to the fulcrum and having a proximate end foot pedal portion and a distal end actuating portion;   c. a spring positioned to compress when the foot pedal is actuated and to decompress when the foot pedal is released from actuation; and   d. a push rod pivotally eonnectable to the actuating portion of the foot pedal lever at a first end and a second end pivotally eonnectable to the toilet seat,   e. a fastener attachable to the push rod and attachable to the toilet seat wherein the apparatus may be assemble and connected to a toilet seat such that the toilet seat lifts upon actuation of the foot pedal lever and the toilet seat lowers without slamming upon release of the foot pedal lever; and   f. at least one set of instructions that explains how to assemble the apparatus.   
   
   
       13 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising on or more mounts to secure the fulcrum in a selected location. 
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the fulcrum comprises an axel suspended on a base, such that the axel may be disposed transversely through the foot pedal lever. 
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the push rod further comprises
 a first rod having a slotted a first end for receiving an axial connector to pivotally connect the first end to the actuation portion of the foot pedal and having a threaded second end;   a second rod having a slotted first end for receiving an axial connector to pivotally connect the first end to the toilet seat and having a threaded second end; and   a turn buckle for adjustably connecting the threaded end of the first rod and the threaded end of the second rod, so that the length of the push rod can be adjusted by turning the turn buckle; the kit further comprising one or more axial connectors.   
   
   
       16 . A toilet comprising:
 a. a commode having a pivotally liftable and lower-able seat;   b. a fulcrum in proximity to the commode;   c. a foot pedal lever pivotally connected to the fulcrum and having a proximate end foot pedal portion and a distal end actuating portion;   d. a spring positioned to compress when the foot pedal is actuated and to decompress when the foot pedal is released from actuation; and   e. a push rod pivotally connected to the actuating portion of the foot pedal lever at a first end and a second end pivotally connected to the toilet seat,   f. a fastener attached to the push rod and attached to the toilet seat whereby the toilet seat lifts upon actuation of the foot pedal lever and the toilet seat lowers without slamming upon release of the foot pedal lever.