Toilet moderniser

Abstract

A toilet modernizer is provided for allowing touchless manipulation of a toilet seat and lid by a user. An outer housing that is attachable under the toilet lid contains the other components of the device in one simple module. As part of the module, a latching member actuated by a user-manipulated actuator element selectively latches and unlatches the seat and lid, so that the user can select to lift the two elements as a unit or to lift only the lid, all the while without having to touch any part of the toilet. In an embodiment a lighting element is included, and in a further embodiment, a scent spray module is also included in the module.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A toilet modernizer device comprising:
 a housing configured for attachment beneath a lid of a toilet;   a latching member having a first position wherein the latching member latches under a seat of the toilet so as to lift the toilet seat when the housing is lifted, and a second position wherein the latching member clears the toilet seat such that only the toilet lid is lifted when the housing is lifted; and   an actuator member having a grip portion for the user to grip the actuator member, the actuator member being linked to the latching member for moving the latching member between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured for attachment to the toilet seat by one or more threaded attachment elements. 
     
     
         3 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured for attachment to the toilet seat by hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises an adhesive for attachment to the toilet seat. 
     
     
         5 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the actuator member grip portion includes one or more finger holes. 
     
     
         6 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the latching member is mounted to the housing to allow sliding of the latching member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         7 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the latching member is pivotally mounted to the housing to allow pivoting of the latching member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         8 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the latching member is mounted to the housing via a hinge to allow swinging of the latching member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         9 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a lighting element and an electronic circuit configured to selectively light the lighting element. 
     
     
         10 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the lighting element included at least one LED. 
     
     
         11 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the electronic circuit is configured to turn the lighting element on when a low light condition is detected and to turn the lighting element off in the absence of a low light condition. 
     
     
         12 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the electronic circuit includes a user actuator usable by the user to turn the lighting element on and off 
     
     
         13 . The toilet modernizer device in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising a scent module for selectively emitting a scent spray, wherein the scent module is configured for one of manual actuation by the user and automatic actuation by an electric circuit based on movement of the latch element. 
     
     
         14 . A toilet comprising:
 a bowl, a seat and a lid; and   a device attached to the seat comprising:
 a housing attached to the lid, a latching member having a first position wherein the latching member latches under the seat and a second position wherein the latching member clears the seat, and an actuator member having a grip portion, the actuator member being linked to the latching member for moving the latching member between the first position and the second position under control of the grip portion. 
   
     
     
         15 . The toilet in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the actuator member grip portion includes one or more finger holes. 
     
     
         16 . The toilet in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the latching member is slidably mounted to the housing to allow sliding of the latching member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         17 . The toilet in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the latching member is pivotally mounted to the housing to allow pivoting of the latching member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         18 . The toilet in accordance with  claim 14 , latching member is mounted to the housing via a hinge to allow swinging of the latching member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         19 . The toilet in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the device attached to the seat further comprises a lighting element and an electronic circuit configured to turn the lighting element on when a low light condition is detected and to turn the lighting element off in the absence of a low light condition. 
     
     
         20 . The toilet in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the device attached to the seat further comprises a scent module for selectively emitting a scent spray, wherein the scent module is configured for one of manual actuation by the user and automatic actuation by an electric circuit based on movement of the latch element.