Heigh-adjustable toilet seat with splashguard

Abstract

This machine sits atop a preexisting toilet, replacing the ordinary seat. A motorized mechanism raises and lowers the seat continuously at the user's discretion. In one embodiment, the seat is adjusted by cables pulled by the motor's shaft. The cables wrap around the outside of the toilet bowl, each cable redirected by a pulley to pull upward on the seat's lifting tray. The pulleys are situated symmetrically around the toilet bowl, allowing for the seat to be raised evenly with no tilting or seizing. The seat extends downward over the toilet, leaving no gap for waste products to splash out. A waterproof lining may be used for additional waterproofing. In its best mode, the motor's control is attached to the basetray or tethered to the motor, and handles on the lifting tray assist the user in getting on or off the toilet seat.

1 . A machine for adjusting the height of a toilet, comprising:
 A rigid fixed basetray secured atop a toilet bowl rim in place of the toilet seat, protruding slightly over the edges of the toilet rim;   An opening in said basetray in the approximate shape and size of the toilet bowl opening;   A rigid lifting tray in a horizontal plane atop said basetray;   A wall on said lifting tray to fit around the toilet bowl and act as a splashguard while the lifting tray is elevated;   An opening in said lifting tray, in the approximate shape and size of the toilet bowl opening;   Securing means for securing the regular toilet seat and/or lid on top of said lifting tray;   A motor affixed to the side of the toilet;   Lifting means operated by said motor and secured to said basetray, for raising and lowering said lifting tray;   An operating switch for said motor, to adjust said lifting tray up or down at the user's discretion.   
   
   
       2 . A machine as in  claim 1 , where said lifting means comprise:
 A lip on the lower edge of said wall of said lifting tray, extending in a horizontal plane, slightly inward toward the toilet;   A shaft driven by said motor;   A plurality of cables connected to said shaft, whereby said shaft adjusts the tension in said cables;   A sheath wrapped around said plurality of cables;   A common pulley for all said cables, redirecting the tension in said cables from the direction of said shaft to a path around the outside of the toilet bowl along the underside of said basetray;   A plurality of additional individual pulleys, attached symmetrically around the underside of said basetray and guiding the path of said cables around the toilet bowl;   A plurality of openings in the sheath, each opening allowing one said cable to leave said sheath and engage one said individual pulley, whereby each said individual pulley redirects one said cable vertically downward;   A plurality of affixing means, each for affixing the end of one said cable to said lip around the underside of said wall of said lifting tray, so that tension in said cables pulls said lifting tray up toward said basetray;   A plurality of scissor connectors, whereby each scissor connector is secured on top to said basetray, and on bottom to said lip of said lifting tray.   
   
   
       3 . A machine as in  claim 2 , further comprising
 A waterproof liner draped from the underside of said lifting tray to the inner rim of said toilet bowl.   
   
   
       4 . A machine as in  claim 2 , further comprising
 Handgrips affixed to the upper surface of said lifting tray.   
   
   
       5 . A machine as in  claim 2 , whereby said motor switch is tethered to said motor with a cable. 
   
   
       6 . A machine as in  claim 2 , whereby said motor switch is affixed to said lifting tray.