Closing Mechanism for Toilet

Abstract

A closing mechanism for a toilet is integrated within a pivoting member, or lid, of the toilet, providing a self-closing lid. The self-closing lid includes a sensor to detect when a user of the toilet leaves a field of view of the sensor. The sensor sends a signal to actuate a motor, which may include a closing member, to rotate the pivoting member from an open position to a closed position. Rotation is achieved by biasing engagement of the motor and/or closing member with a surface of the toilet.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A self-closing closure for a toilet, comprising:
 a pivoting member having an open position and a closed position;   a sensor integral with said pivoting member, said sensor detecting at least one of the presence and absence of an object within a field of view of said sensor, and generating a signal representative of said at least one of presence and absence of an object within said field of view of said sensor; and   a motor integral with said pivoting member which receives said signal and modifies the position of said pivoting member from said open position to said closed position upon receipt of said signal.   
     
     
         2 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , wherein said pivoting member is a lid of the toilet. 
     
     
         3 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , said motor comprising a closing member extending from said pivoting member to contacting engagement with a surface of the toilet. 
     
     
         4 . The self-closing closure of  claim 3 , wherein said closing member is movable into biasing engagement against said surface of the toilet to effectuate rotation of said pivoting member from an open position to a closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a central processing unit integral with pivoting member in communication with said sensor and configured to receive signals from said sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The self-closing closure of  claim 5 , said central processing unit in communication with said motor and configured to actuate said motor upon receipt of signals from said sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is integral with a surface of said pivoting member facing a user. 
     
     
         8 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a passive sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is an active sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is an infrared sensor configured to detect infrared light. 
     
     
         11 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source attachable to said pivoting member and in electrical communication with at least one of said sensor and said motor for providing power to at least one of said sensor and said motor. 
     
     
         12 . The self-closing closure of  claim 11 , wherein said power source is at least one battery integral with said pivoting member. 
     
     
         13 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting assembly to attach said pivoting member to the toilet. 
     
     
         14 . The self-closing closure of  claim 13 , wherein said mounting assembly comprises at least one hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a dampening member attached to said pivoting member to decrease the speed of rotation of said pivoting member before said pivoting member reaches said closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , wherein said self-closing closure is configured for unidirectional movement of said pivoting member from said open position to said closed position. 
     
     
         17 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor and said motor are integral with said pivoting member between contact points for attaching to hinges. 
     
     
         18 . The self-closing closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pivoting member having an open position and a closed position, wherein said second pivoting member is a seat of the toilet, and wherein rotation of said pivoting member from said open position to said closed position brings said pivoting member into contact with said second pivoting member and forces said second pivoting member to also move from said open position to said closed position. 
     
     
         19 . A self-closing lid for a toilet, comprising:
 a pivoting member having an open position and a closed position, wherein said pivoting member is a lid of the toilet;   a sensor integral with said pivoting member, said sensor detecting at least one of the presence and absence of an object within a field of view of said sensor, and generating a signal representative of said at least one of presence and absence of an object within said field of view of said sensor;   a central processing unit integral with said pivoting member and in electrical communication with said sensor for receiving signals from said sensor;   a motor integral with said pivoting member and in electrical communication with said central processing unit for receiving signals from said central processing unit; and   said motor in mechanical communication with a surface of the toilet for biasing engagement against said surface to rotate said pivoting member from an open position to a closed position upon receipt of electrical signals from said central processing unit.   
     
     
         20 . The self-closing lid of  claim 19 , wherein said sensor is a passive sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The self-closing lid of  claim 19 , wherein said sensor is an active sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The self-closing lid of  claim 19 , further comprising a power source attachable to said first pivoting member and in electrical communication with at least one of said sensor and said motor for providing power to at least one of said sensor and said motor. 
     
     
         23 . The self-closing lid of  claim 22 , wherein said power source is at least one battery integral with said pivoting member. 
     
     
         24 . The self-closing lid of  claim 19 , further comprising a mounting assembly to attach said pivoting member to the toilet. 
     
     
         25 . The self-closing lid of  claim 24 , wherein said mounting assembly comprises at least one hinge. 
     
     
         26 . The self-closing lid of  claim 19 , said motor comprising a closing member extending from said pivoting member to contacting engagement with a surface of the toilet and movable into biasing engagement against said surface of the toilet to effectuate rotation of said pivoting member from an open position to a closed position. 
     
     
         27 . A self-closing mechanism for a toilet, comprising:
 a first pivoting member of the toilet having an open position and a closed position, wherein said first pivoting member is a lid;   a sensor integral with a surface of said first pivoting member, wherein said sensor is capable of sensing when a user of the toilet leaves a field of view of the said sensor;   a motor integral with said first pivoting member and comprising a closing member, at least a portion of said closing member in said first pivoting member;   wherein when the user of the toilet leaves said field of view of said sensor, said sensor sends a signal that actuates said motor, which causes said closing member to bias against a surface of the toilet and rotate said pivoting member from an open position to a closed position;   wherein the toilet has a second pivoting member that is a seat, and wherein said closing member is free from engagement with said second pivoting member;   wherein the rotation of said first pivoting member from the open position to said closed position engages said second pivoting member and pushes said second pivoting member to rotate from a second pivoting member open position to a second pivoting member closed position; and   wherein said self-closing mechanism is configured for unidirectional movement of said first pivoting member and said second pivoting member from said open positions to said closed positions.   
     
     
         28 . The self-closing mechanism of  claim 21 , wherein said closing member comprises a body extending from said motor and an opposite terminal end that biasingly engages a surface of the toilet for moving said first pivoting member. 
     
     
         29 . The self-closing mechanism of  claim 21 , further comprising a central processing unit integral with said pivoting member and in interrelating communication with said sensor and said motor for relaying signals from said sensor to said motor for actuation of said motor and rotation of said first pivoting member.