Toilet seat lifting apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for lifting a seat ( 12 ) and lid ( 14 ) of a toilet seat and lid assembly. The apparatus includes a first hinge portion ( 80 ) integral with the seat and rotatably mounted to the base ( 16 ), a second hinge portion ( 82 ) integral with the lid ( 14 ) and rotatably mounted to the base ( 16 ) and a drive means ( 20 ) engageable with the first and second hinge portions ( 80 and 82 ). The first hinge portion ( 80 ) is adjacent a first side of the seat ( 12 ) and is the only integral part of the seat ( 12 ) secured for rotation about the base ( 16 ). The second hinge portion ( 82 ) is adjacent a second opposite side of the lid ( 14 ) and is the only integral part of the lid ( 14 ) secured for rotation about the base ( 16 ). The drive means ( 20 ) is mounted between the first and second hinge portions ( 80 and 82 ) and engages with the first and second hinge portions ( 80 and 82 ) to rotate either or both of the seat ( 12 ) and lid ( 14 ) about the base ( 16 ).

1 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly, the seat and lid being pivotally mounted for rotation about a base wherein the apparatus includes:
 a first hinge portion integral with the seat and rotatably mounted to the base;   a second hinge portion integral with the lid and rotatably mounted to the base; and   a drive means engageable with the first and second hinge portions;   wherein the first hinge portion is adjacent a first side of the seat and is the only integral part of the seat secured for rotation about the base, the second hinge portion is adjacent a second opposite side of the lid and is the only integral part of the lid secured for rotation about the base and the drive means is mounted between the first and second hinge portions and engages with the first and second hinge portions to rotate either or both of the seat and lid about the base.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the seat and lid rotate about a common rotation axis and the first hinge portion extends from the first side of the seat along the rotation axis to a point adjacent the midpoint of the seat and the second hinge portion extends from the second side of the seat along the rotation axis to a point adjacent the midpoint of the lid. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the first hinge portion comprises a first hollow cylindrical member, the second hinge portion comprises a second hollow cylindrical member and the drive means engages inside adjacent open ends of the first and second hollow cylindrical members. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the drive means comprises a cylindrical drive housing into which is received a first drive motor and a second drive motor, the first and second drive motors having drive shafts extending in opposite directions along the central axis of the cylindrical drive housing. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the first and second drive shafts each include gears that extend through apertures in the drive housing and engage with inner surfaces of the first and second hollow cylindrical members respectively. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the base includes a mounting portion comprising a first end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the first hinge portion, a second end portion having an arcuate upper surface onto which is received the second end portion and a central portion having a cradle into which is received the drive housing. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein a cover member is provided to cover across the drive housing between the first and second hollow cylindrical members. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein slots are provided in the first and second cylindrical members, into which are received arcuate securing clips which engage with the drive housing to prevent disengagement of the first and second hollow cylindrical members from the drive housing. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the base portion includes a battery housing for batteries to power the drive means, the battery housing being located parallel to and behind the mounting portion such that the battery housing is accessible when the seat and lid are both closed. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes spring bias means in engagement with the seat and lid to provide a rotational force in the direction of opening to the lid and seat. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the spring bias means comprises a first coil spring in the first hollow cylindrical member and a second coil spring in the second hollow cylindrical member. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a control means is provided to control operation of the drive means. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the control means comprises a control panel having a transmitter and the drive means includes a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter in the control panel. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , where the control panel can send signals to the receiver based on information received from input means of the control panel such that the drive means either raises or lowers either the seat or lid or both. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for lifting a seat and lid of a toilet seat and lid assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the control panel includes a sensor to detect motion such that motion detected by the sensor is used to control operation of the drive means.