Toilet with foot-operated toilet seat lifting apparatus

Abstract

A simplified apparatus for allowing hands-free raising and lowering of a toilet seat. In a preferred embodiment, the toilet seat actuating apparatus includes a ‘U’ shaped foot operated level which when depressed by a user, pivots about a fulcrum and raises the toilet seat via left and right linkages. The fulcrum is formed by a bracket assembly that mounts in between the porcelain throne and the seat. The apparatus is devoid of actuators, dampers, and other cumbersome or costly components that are employed on the toilet seat operating devices of prior art.

1 . A toilet ( 12 ) comprising:
 a bowl ( 16 ) adapted to be fluidly connected to a supply of flushing water;   a seat ( 14 ) pivotally connected to said bowl so as to define a lower first position in which said seat covers a rim of said bowl and a raised second position;   first and second fulcrums ( 42 L,  42 R) fixed to said bowl at an elevation below said rim, said second fulcrum ( 42 R) disposed at an opposite side of said bowl with respect to said first fulcrum;   a generally ‘U’-shaped lever ( 40 ) pivotally connected to said first and second fulcrums and passing in front of the toilet;   a first linkage ( 60 L) having an upper end ( 64 L) pivotally connected to said seat and a lower end ( 62 L) pivotally connected to said lever to the rear of said first fulcrum with respect to said toilet;   a second linkage ( 60 R) having an upper end ( 64 R) pivotally connected to said seat at an opposite side of said seat with respect to said first linkage and a lower end ( 62 R) pivotally connected to said lever to the rear of said second fulcrum with respect to said toilet;   whereby a downward force applied to said lever at the front of the toilet raises said first and second linkages, which in turn pivots said seat to said raised second position.   
   
   
       2 . The toilet ( 12 ) of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bracket ( 20 ) mounted to said bowl under said seat by at least one fastener that attaches said seat to said bowl, said bracket supporting said first and second fulcrums.   
   
   
       3 . The toilet ( 12 ) of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pedal ( 50 ) connected to said lever so that the elevation of said pedal with respect to said lever is selectively adjustable.   
   
   
       4 . A toilet ( 12 ) comprising:
 a bowl ( 16 ) adapted to be fluidly connected to a supply of flushing water;   a seat ( 14 ) pivotally connected to said bowl so as to define a lower first position in which said seat covers a rim of said bowl and a raised second position;   a first fulcrum ( 42 L) fixed to said bowl at an elevation below said rim;   a lever ( 40 ) pivotally connected to said first fulcrum;   a first linkage ( 60 L) having an upper end ( 64 L) pivotally connected to said seat and a lower end ( 62 L) pivotally connected to said lever at a first distance from said first fulcrum;   whereby a downward force applied to said lever on a first side of said first fulcrum raises said first linkage at a second side of said first fulcrum opposite said first side, which in turn pivots said seat to said raised second position.   
   
   
       5 . The toilet ( 12 ) of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a second fulcrum ( 42 R) fixed to said bowl and disposed at said elevation and at an opposite side of said bowl with respect to said first fulcrum, said lever pivotally connected to said second fulcrum;   a second linkage ( 60 R) having an upper end ( 64 R) pivotally connected to said seat at an opposite side of said seat with respect to said first linkage and a lower end ( 62 R) pivotally connected to said lever.   
   
   
       6 . The toilet ( 12 ) of  claim 5  wherein:
 said level has a ‘U’-shape.   
   
   
       7 . The toilet ( 12 ) of  claim 4  wherein:
 said bowl has first and second apertures formed therethrough near said rim and said seat is attached to said bowl by fasteners passing through first and second apertures;   the toilet further comprises a bracket ( 20 ) mounted to said bowl by said fasteners; and   said bracket supports said first fulcrum.   
   
   
       8 . The toilet ( 12 ) of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a pedal ( 50 ) connected to said lever so that the elevation of said pedal with respect to said lever is selectively adjustable.   
   
   
       9 . The toilet ( 12 ) of  claim 4  wherein:
 said first distance is selectively adjustable.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus ( 10 ) for lifting a toilet seat that is pivotally mounted to a toilet bowl from a lower first position in which said seat covers a rim of said toilet bowl to a raised second position, the apparatus comprising:
 a first fulcrum ( 42 L) arranged to be mounted to said bowl at an elevation below said rim;   a lever ( 40 ) pivotally connected to said first fulcrum;   a first linkage ( 60 L) having an upper end ( 64 L) arranged to be pivotally connected to said seat and a lower end ( 62 L) pivotally connected to said lever at a first distance from said first fulcrum;   whereby a downward force applied to said lever on a first side of said first fulcrum raises said first linkage at a second side of said first fulcrum opposite said first side for pivoting said seat to said raised second position.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a second fulcrum ( 42 R) arranged to be mounted to said bowl and disposed at said elevation and at an opposite side of said bowl with respect to said first fulcrum, said lever pivotally connected to said second fulcrum;   a second linkage ( 60 R) having an upper end ( 64 R) arranged to be pivotally connected to said seat at an opposite side of said seat with respect to said first linkage and a lower end ( 62 R) pivotally connected to said lever.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 11  wherein:
 said level has a ‘U’-shape.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a bracket ( 20 ) arranged to be mounted to said bowl under said seat by fasteners that attach said seat to said bowl, said bracket supporting said first fulcrum.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a pedal ( 50 ) connected to said lever so that the elevation of said pedal with respect to said lever is selectively adjustable.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus ( 10 ) of  claim 10  wherein:
 said first distance is selectively adjustable.