Hands Free Lifting Mechanism For Toilets

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet. The lifting mechanism includes a foot pedal assembly having at least one foot pedal, the foot pedal has a starting position and a finishing position. In the start position, the seat is down, in the finishing position the seat is up, depressing the foot pedal causes the pedal to go from the start position to the finishing position. In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanism includes a passive locking means for holding the foot pedal travel in any position and soft lowering structure for limiting the rate of travel of the pedal from the finish position to the start position. Additionally, the mechanism includes a lifting assembly having a cylinder housing attached to the toilet, the cylinder housing having at least one lifting cylinder attached to the seat and a stabilizing rod between the cylinder housing and the foot pedal. A cable attached at one end to the foot pedal and the other end to the lifting cylinder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet, the toilet including a container, a seat over the container, a lid covering the seat and a lifting mechanism for lifting the toilet lid and seat, the lifting mechanism, comprising:
 a foot pedal assembly, including
 at least one foot pedal, the foot pedal having a starting position and a finishing position, in the start position, the seat is down, in the finishing position the seat is up, depressing the foot pedal causes the pedal to go from the start position to the finishing position; 
 a passive locking means for holding the foot pedal travel in any position from the start to the finish; 
 soft lowering means for limiting the rate of travel of the pedal from the finish position to the start position; and 
   a lifting assembly including
 a cylinder housing attached to the toilet, the cylinder housing having at least one lifting cylinder attached to the seat; 
 a stabilizing rod between the cylinder housing and the foot pedal; 
 a cable attached at one end to the foot pedal and the other end to the lifting cylinder. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder housing houses two lifting cylinder, one for the seat and one for the lid. 
     
     
         3 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the foot pedal assembly includes two foot pedal, each foot pedal including a cable extending through the stabilizer rod and to the cylinder housing; one foot pedal controls the seat and the other the lid, the lifting cylinders respond independently to movement of the foot pedals. 
     
     
         4 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the foot pedal assembly includes two foot pedals, one on either side of the toilet. 
     
     
         5 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the foot pedal assembly includes two foot pedals on either side of the toilet. 
     
     
         6 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the foot pedal assembly includes two foot pedals, one on either side of the toilet. 
     
     
         7 . A hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet, the toilet including a container, a seat over the container, a lid covering the seat and a lifting mechanism for lifting the toilet lid and seat, the lifting mechanism, comprising:
 a foot pedal assembly, including
 at least one foot pedal, the foot pedal having a starting position and a finishing position, in the start position, the seat is down, in the finishing position the seat is up, depressing the foot pedal causes the pedal to go from the start position to the finishing position; 
 a passive locking means for holding the foot pedal travel in any position from the start to the finish; 
 soft lowering means for limiting the rate of travel of the pedal from the finish position to the start position; and 
   a lifting assembly including:
 a spool housing having a first spool, the lifting mechanism including a first lifting cylinder having a first and second ends, the first end of the first lifting cylinder connected to the toilet seat, while the second end is connected to the spool, and at the other end to the respective spool. Thus, each foot pedal operates the toilet elements as desired, and 
   a cable attached at one end to the foot pedal and the other end to the first spool.   
     
     
         8 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the lifting assembly includes a second cylinder over and concentric with the first lifting cylinder, the second lifting cylinder attached at one end to the lid and wherein the spool housing includes a second spool connected to the other end of the second lifting cylinder and wherein a second cable is provided and connected to a second foot pedal at one end and the second spool at the other end. 
     
     
         9 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the mechanism includes a passive locking system for locking a toilet element in the open position. 
     
     
         10 . The hands free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the mechanism includes means for preventing the toilet from slamming shut. The free lifting mechanism for a toilet as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the mechanism includes means for normally urging the seat into the open position.