Toilet seat assembly having a lifting device and one way damping hinges

Abstract

A toilet seat assembly has a novel suction cup assembly and one way damping hinge assemblies for lifting and lowering toilet seat without touching it, and for preventing a slamming action of toilet seat during lowering it.

1 . A toilet seat assembly comprising of:
 a planar toilet seat having a front end and a rear end,   a planar toilet lid having a front end and a rear end,   a first connecting means for pivotally connecting said rear end of said toilet seat to a rear end of a toilet bow,   a second connecting means for pivotally connecting said rear end of said toilet lid to said rear end of said toilet bow,   a third connecting means for detachably connecting said front end of said toilet lid to said front end of said toilet seat, having a locking means for interlocking said toilet lid and said toilet seat together as a combined unit, and a releasing means for disengaging said toilet lid and said toilet seat as separate units,   wherein:   said toilet seat capable of being lifted up from a lie-down position by pressing said toilet lid against said toilet seat in said lie-down position by force, which activates said locking means of said third connecting means for interlocking said toilet lid and said toilet seat together as said combined unit, so that user is capable of lifting up said toilet seat by grasping said toilet lid and lifting up said combined unit.   
   
   
       2 . The toilet seat assembly according to  claim 1 , in which, said third connecting means is provided by a suction cup assembly comprising of:
 a suction cup, having a base and a suction bell,   an elongated shaft, having a bottom end fixedly connected to said base of said suction cup,   a release strip, having a first end connected to an exterior surface of said suction bell adjacent to a bottom planar surface of said suction bell,   a means for attaching said suction cup assembly to said bottom surface of said toilet lid adjacent to said front end of said toilet lid,   wherein:   said suction cup capable of being depressed to a vacuum state, which provides said locking means for interlocking said toilet lid and said toilet seat together as said combined unit; and   said releasing means being provided by said release strip, which vents off said vacuum in said suction cup upon pulling said release strip, and disengages said toilet lid and said toilet seat as said separate units.   
   
   
       3 . The suction cup assembly according to  claim 2 , in which, said means for attaching said suction cup assembly to said bottom surface of said toilet lid is provided by a flange fixedly connected to a top end of said shaft, having an adhesive backing at a top end of said flange. 
   
   
       4 . The suction cup assembly according to  claim 2 , in which, said means for attaching said suction cup assembly to said bottom surface of said toilet lid is provided by a second suction cup fixedly connected to a top end of said shaft. 
   
   
       5 . The suction cup assembly according to  claim 2 , in which, said release strip has a second end connected to said shaft. 
   
   
       6 . The suction cup assembly according to  claims 2  and  3 , in which, said release strip has a second end connected to said flange. 
   
   
       7 . The suction cup assembly according to  claims 2  and  4 , in which, said second suction cup is provided with an adhesive backing in central interior surface of said suction bell. 
   
   
       8 . A suction cup assembly comprises of:
 a first suction cup, having a suction bell and a base,   an elongated shaft, having a top and bottom ends wherein said bottom end of said shaft being fixedly connected to said base of said first suction cup,   a release strip, having a first and second ends wherein said first end being connected to an exterior surface of said suction bell adjacent to a bottom planar surface of said suction bell, and   an attaching means for attaching said suction cup assembly to a first planar surface of a first object;   wherein:   said first suction cup capable of being depressed to a vacuum state when said bottom planar surface of said suction bell of said first suction cup being pressed against a second planar surface of a second object; and   said release strip capable of venting off said vacuum when said release strip being pulled by force.   
   
   
       9 . The suction cup assembly according to  claim 8 , in which, said attaching means is provided by a flange having a top and bottom ends, said bottom end of said flange being fixedly connected to said top end of said shaft, and said top end of said flange having an adhesive backing for attaching said suction cup assembly to said first planar surface of said first object. 
   
   
       10 . The suction cup assembly according to  claim 8 , in which, said attaching means is provided by a second suction cup having a base, a suction bell and a release tab,
 wherein:   said base of said second suction cup is fixedly connected to said top end of said shaft; and   said release tab of said second suction cup is connected to an exterior surface of said suction bell in said second suction cup adjacent to a planar bottom surface of said suction bell; and   said second suction cup is capable of being depressed to a vacuum state when said bottom planar surfaces of said suction bell in said second suction cup being pressed against said first planar surface of said first object; and   said release tab is capable of venting off said vacuum in said second suction cup when said release tab being pulled by force.   
   
   
       11 . The suction cup assembly according to  claim 8 , in which, said second end of said release strip is connected to said shaft. 
   
   
       12 . The suction cup assembly according to  claims 8  and  9 , in which, said second end of said release strip is connected to said flange. 
   
   
       13 . The suction cup assembly according to  claims 8  and  10 , in which, an adhesive backing is provided at central interior surface of said suction bell of said second suction cup. 
   
   
       14 . A one-way damping hinge assembly comprises of
 a first sleeve fixedly connected to a rotator,   a second sleeve fixedly connected to a stator,   a third sleeve fit within said first sleeve, having a locking means for interlocking said first and third sleeves,   a shaft fit within said second and third sleeves to form a rotational axis of said rotator, and at least   a compressed elastic insert fit between interior and exterior circumferential surfaces of said second sleeve and shaft respectively, which generates a resistant torque during rotation of said shaft,   wherein:   said third sleeve having a ratchet means for performing a positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in a first direction, so that said rotator, said third sleeve and said shaft rotate simultaneously under said resistant torque in said first direction; and   said ratchet means performing no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in a second direction opposed to said first direction, so that said shaft remains stationary while rotator and said third sleeve rotate together freely without encountering said resistant torque in said second direction   
   
   
       15 . A one-way damping hinge assembly comprises of:
 a first sleeve fixedly connected to a rotator,   a second sleeve fixedly connected to a stator,   a third sleeve fit within said second sleeve,   a shaft fit within said first and third sleeves to form a rotational axis of said rotator, which has a locking means for interlocking said shaft and said first sleeve, and at least a compressed elastic insert fit between interior and exterior circumferential surfaces of said second and third sleeves respectively, which generates a resistant torque during rotation of said third sleeve,   wherein:   said third sleeve having a ratchet means for performing a positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in a first direction, so that said rotator, said shaft and said third sleeve rotate simultaneously under said resistant torque in said first direction; and   said ratchet means performing no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in a second direction opposed to said first direction, so that said third sleeve remains stationary while said rotator and said shaft rotate together freely without encountering said resistant torque in said second direction.   
   
   
       16 . The one way damping hinge assembly according to  claim 14 , in which:
 said first sleeve is fixedly connected to said rotator which is a toilet seat; and   said second sleeve is fixedly connected to said stator which is a base anchored to a toilet bow; and   said third sleeve is fit within said first sleeve, having said locking means for interlocking said first and third sleeves; and   a fourth sleeve is provided and fixedly connected to a toilet lid; and   said shaft is fit within said third, second and fourth sleeves to form said rotational axis of said toilet seat and said toilet lid; and   said compressed elastic insert is fit between said interior and exterior circumferential surfaces of said second sleeve and said shaft respectively, which generates said resistant torque during rotation of said shaft; and   said third sleeve has said ratchet means for performing said positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said downward direction, so that said toilet seat, said third sleeve and said shaft rotate simultaneously under said resistant torque in said downward direction; and   said ratchet means performs said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said upward direction, so that said shaft remains stationary while said toilet seat and said third sleeve rotate together freely without encountering said resistant torque in said upward direction.   
   
   
       17 . The one way damping hinge assembly according to  claim 15 , in which:
 said first sleeve is fixedly connected to said rotator which is a toilet seat; and   said second sleeve is fixedly connected to said stator which is a base anchored to a toilet bow; and   said third sleeve is fit within said second sleeve; and   a fourth sleeve is provided and fixedly connected to a toilet lid; and   said shaft is fit within said first, third and fourth sleeves to form said rotational axis of said toilet seat and said toilet lid, and said shaft has said locking means for interlocking said shaft and said first sleeve; and   said compressed elastic insert is fit between said interior and exterior circumferential surfaces of said second and third sleeves respectively, which generates said resistant torque during rotation of said third sleeve; and   said third sleeve having said ratchet means for performing said positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said downward direction, so that said toilet seat, said shaft and said third sleeve rotate simultaneously under said resistant torque in said downward direction; and   said ratchet means performs said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said upward direction, so that said third sleeve remains stationary while said toilet seat and said shaft rotate together freely without encountering said resistant torque in said upward direction.   
   
   
       18 . The one way damping hinge assembly according to  claim 14 , in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural number of first flexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced in said interior surface of said third sleeve, and a stud connected to said shaft, wherein:
 each of said first projectiles has a front profile end and a rear straight end; and   said stud has a front profile end and a rear straight end, and profile of said front profile end of said stud matches profile of said front profile end of said first projectile; and   said rear straight end of said first projectile is stopped by said rear straight end of said stud, which performs said positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in said first direction; and   said front profile end of said first projectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end of said stud in a spring action, which performs said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in said second direction.   
   
   
       19 . The one way damping hinge assembly according to  claim 16 , in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural number of first flexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced in said interior surface of said third sleeve, and a stud connected to said shaft, wherein:
 each of said first projectiles has a front profile end and a rear straight end; and   said stud has a front profile end and a rear straight end, and profile of said front profile end of said stud matches profile of said front profile end of said first projectile; and   said rear straight end of said first projectile is stopped by said rear straight end of said stud, which performs said positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said downward direction; and   said front profile end of said first projectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end of said stud in a spring action, which performs said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said upward direction.   
   
   
       20 . The one way damping hinge assembly according to  claim 15 , in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural number of first flexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced in said interior surface of said third sleeve, and at least a second projectile provided on exterior surface of said shaft, wherein:
 each of said first projectiles has a front profile end and a rear straight end; and   said second projectile has a front profile end and a rear straight end, and profile of said front profile end of said second projectile matches profile of said front profile end of said first projectile; and   said rear straight end of said second projectile is stopped by said rear straight end of said first projectile, which performs said positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in said first direction; and   said front profile end of said first projectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end of said second projectile in a spring action, which performs said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said rotator rotates in said second direction.   
   
   
       21 . The one way damping hinge assembly according to  claim 17 , in which, said ratchet means is provided by a plural number of first flexible projectiles circumferentially and equally spaced in said interior surface of said third sleeve, and at least a second projectile provided on exterior surface of said shaft, wherein:
 each of said first projectiles has a front profile end and a rear straight end; and   said second projectile has a front profile end and a rear straight end, and profile of said front profile end of said second projectile matches profile of said front profile end of said first projectile; and   said rear straight end of said second projectile is stopped by said rear straight end of said first projectile, which performs said positive engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said downward direction; and   said front profile end of said first projectile is flexibly depressed by said front profile end of said second projectile in a spring action, which performs said no engagement between said third sleeve and said shaft when said toilet seat rotates in said upward direction.   
   
   
       22 . The toilet seat assemblies according to  claims 1  through  7 , in which, said first and second connecting means are integrated into said one way damping hinge assembly in accordance with  claims 16  and  19 . 
   
   
       23 . The toilet seat assemblies according to  claims 1  through  7 , in which, said first and second connecting means are integrated into said one way damping hinge assembly in accordance with  claims 17  and  21 .