Foot-Operated Toilet Seat Lift

Abstract

A foot-operated toilet seat lifting device comprises a pedal assembly, lifting mechanism, and means for transmitting the force from the user's foot to the lifting mechanism. The device includes a base portion, foot pedal, force-transmitting cable, seat lifting arm, contact roller, and seat gripping bracket.

1 . A toilet seat lifting device comprising:
 (a) a pedal assembly having a foot-receiving pedal pivotally connected with a base that rests on the floor, said connection occurring between a proximal end of the pedal and a proximal end of the base;   (b) a lifting assembly having a lifting arm having a proximal and a distal end, a contact roller connected with the proximal end of the lifting arm at a perpendicular angle, and a gripping bracket connected to the lifting arm to form a lever point, said gripping bracket having two gripping arms configured to connect with both sides of a toilet seat;   (c) a cable that connects a distal end of the foot pedal to a distal end of the lifting arm, such that pressing downward on the foot pedal pulls the distal end of the lifting arm downward and the proximal end of the lifting arm upward;   wherein the contact roller rests immediately below, and in contact with, the seat and is parallel to the gripping bracket; and   wherein the gripping bracket comprises a primary segment that runs along the base of the toilet seat and parallel to the toilet bowl and two gripping arms, each configured to receive and secure one side of the seat.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the gripping bracket and lifting arm are made of a stiff, lightweight plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible cable is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the gripping arms are “u”-shaped extensions configured to receive and secure the sides of a toilet seat. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device can be reversibly installed without permanent changes to the toilet. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device can be reversibly installed and un-installed without the need for tools. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base of the pedal assembly comprises one or more perpendicular extensions that provide stability by resisting lateral movement of the pedal assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the base of the pedal assembly has a tactile bottom surface to reduce movement of the pedal assembly across the floor. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the foot pedal of the pedal assembly is configured to receive a human foot. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping bracket is contoured to the shape of the toilet seat. 
     
     
         11 . A toilet seat lifting device comprising:
 (a) a pedal assembly having a foot-receiving pedal pivotally connected with a base that rests on the floor, said connection occurring between a proximal end of the pedal and a proximal end of the base;   (b) a cable that connects a distal end of the foot pedal to a distal end of a lifting arm, such that pressing downward on the foot pedal pulls the distal end of the lifting arm downward and the proximal end of the lifting arm upward;   (c) the lifting assembly having a lifting arm having a proximal and a distal end, a contact roller connected with the proximal end of the lifting arm roller that rests immediately below the toilet seat, and a rod connected to the distal end of the lifting arm for forming a lever point, said rod configured to be positioned in a pivot bracket;   (d) the pivot bracket for allowing the rod to form a lever;   wherein pressing on the pedal causes the lifting assembly to pivot so that the lifting arm roller lifts the toilet seat, wherein the toilet seat is lifted to a maximum position that allows the toilet seat to come down by force of gravity when the foot is removed from the pedal.   
     
     
         11 . The toilet seat lifting device of  claim 10 , wherein the pivot bracket is secured in between the toilet and the toilet seat.