Toilet Seat Automatic Closure and Lid Restraint Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is an automatic toilet seat closure device and mechanism that is able to automatically close the toilet seat or both the toilet seat and toilet cover in response to flushing the toilet bowl using a handle. In one embodiment, the invention is further capable of restraining the decent of the toilet cover while allowing only the toilet seat to lower. It has a standardized appearance and adequate strength for use with all types of flush type toilet tanks It can be conveniently, efficiently, and inexpensively manufactured, assembled, and mounted with minimal labor and time. It can be installed as an add-on or can be manufactured as part of the toilet bowl system.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A device or apparatus for a toilet with a base, a toilet seat and toilet cover hingedly mounted to the base, and a toilet flush tank affixed to said base, said flush tank including a partially rotatable flush handle, said device or apparatus comprising:
 (a) An arm bent at an angle such that said arm comes into contact with said toilet cover when said toilet is flushed; and   (b) A means for attaching said arm to said flush handle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said arm is attached to said flush handle by drilling a hole in said flush handle and inserting said arm into said hole. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said arm is attached to said flush handle as an extension of the flush handle during the manufacturing process. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus further comprises a protective material, said protective material affixed to said toilet cover where said arm contacts said toilet cover. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of claim [ 4 .] wherein said protective material is applied as a coating. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of claim [ 4 .] wherein said protective material is shaped to allow said arm to slide under said protective material when the toilet is flushed. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the said apparatus is attached to a toilet wherein said seat cover is hingedly mounted to said base in a way designed to retard the seat cover's rate of decent towards the base. 
     
     
         8 . A method of lowering a toilet cover hingedly mounted to a toilet base and resting against the toilet lid, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) Attaching a bent arm to the rotatable flush handle attached to the toilet flush tank; and   (b) Flushing the toilet by rotating the flush handle thereby causing the arm to rotate so that the arm comes into contact the toilet lid with sufficient force to cause the lid to impact the toilet seat cover, causing the toilet seat cover to move into a closed position.   
     
     
         9 . The method of claim [ 8 .] wherein the method further comprises attaching a protective material to said toilet lid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of claim [ 9 .] wherein the method further comprises said arm to sliding under said protective material when the flush handle is rotated so that only the seat cover lowers when said arm makes contact with said toilet cover.