GB2373000A

GB2373000A - Lifting/lowering mechanism for toilet seat

Info

Publication number: GB2373000A
Application number: GB0100108A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pansy Carryl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-03
Filing date: 2001-01-03
Publication date: 2002-09-11
Anticipated expiration: 2021-01-03
Also published as: GB0100108D0; GB2373000B

Abstract

A toilet has a seat 22 mounted hingedly on a bowl 2 which is supported on a hollow pedestal 4. A lever 10 is mounted for pivotal movement inside the pedestal 4, a first arm 14 of the lever with a pedal 28 protrudes through a slot at the front of the pedestal 4 and the second arm 18 which is forked is connected to link rods (18a,b fig 2) and in turn to the seat 22. When a user presses the pedal 28, the seat 22 is raised via the lever mechanism and when the pedal 28 is released the seat 22 lowers.

Description

WATER CLOSET

This invention relates to water closets.

For reasons of hygiene, when males use a water closet (WC) to urinate, they are expected to raise the seat. Occasionally, this is not done leading to a mess. The geometry of modern low level cisterns is often such that the seat will not remain up if left unsupported which, could perhaps explain some of the seeming misuse.

In order to ameliorate these problems, in accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a water closet having a seat mounted hingedly on a bowl which is supported on a hollow pedestal through which a U-bend waste passage passes to a waste outlet at the rear of the pedestal, one arm of a lever protruding through a slot in the front of the pedestal, the lever being mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot inside the pedestal, and a linkage connecting the other arm of the lever to the seat so that depression of the one arm of the lever raises the seat. Depressing the foot lever raises the seat. It is thought that the simplicity of the operation will encourage males not to misuse the WC. Since no handling of the seat is necessary, there may be an overall improvement in hygiene. Since the lever can remain depressed by the user's foot throughout his use of the WC, the problem of a seat which will not stay open unaided is removed.

Said other arm of the lever may be bifurcate and linked on each side to the seat by a respective rod.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a water closet having a seat mounted hingedly on a bowl which is supported on a hollow pedestal through which a U-bend waste passage passes to a waste outlet at the rear of the pedestal, a remotely operable actuator mounted inside the pedestal and connected vi a linkage to the seat so that operation of the actuator raises the seat.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 is a side view, partly in cross section, of a WC embodying one aspect of the invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of the WC of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a WC bowl 2 is mounted on a hollow pedestal 4, as is conventional. The bowl may be flushed by a cistern 6 and foul contents leave the bowl via aU-bend 8 located to the rear of the pedestal, as is conventional.

A lever 10 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 12. The pivot pin is mounted in a bracket 13 located Inside the hollow pedestal 4. One arm 14 of the lever projects through a slot 16 in the front of the pedestal. The other arm 18 of the lever is bifurcate, having two forks 18a and 18b extending towards the rear of and inside the pedestal 4.

Also largely contained by the pedestal are two link-rods 20a and 20b. These connect the ends of the forks 18a and 18b to a seat 22. The links are pivotally connected to the lever 18 and to the seat 22, the latter by means of two brackets 24 spaced from a hinge 26 by means of which the seat is mounted on the pedestal.

When a user presses a pedal 28 at the end of the arm 16 the arm 18 rises. The motion is transferred to the seat by the links 20a and 20b so that the lid raises allowing a male to urinate conveniently. Removing the foot from the pedal lowers the seat.

In an alternative arrangement, not shown only one link rod is provided, the lever then not being bifurcate.

In another embodiment not illustrated, the pedestal contains an actuator, the operation of which is controlled remotely. The actuator is linked by one or two link-rods 20a, 20b to the lid so that operation of the actuator raises and lowers the seat 22. The actuator may be operated by a remote switch or button connected thereto by a cable, or by a wireless receiver which receives a signal from a hand held wireless remote control transmitter. An infrared transmitter and receiver are preferred, so as to surely avoid tnterferance. Other wireless forms are possible, however, e. g. radio.

Claims

1. A water closet having a seat mounted hingedly on a bowl which IS supported on a hollow pedestal through which a U-bend waste passage passes to a waste outlet at the rear of the pedestal, one arm of a lever protruding through a slot In the front of the pedestal, the lever being mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot Inside the pedestal. and a linkage connecting the other arm of the lever to the seat so that depression of the one arm of the lever raises the seat.

2. A water closet as claimed in claim 1, in which said other arm of the lever IS bifurcate, and linked on each side to the seat by a respective rod.

3. A water closet having a seat mounted hingedly on a bowl which is supported on a hollow pedestal through which a U-bend waste passage passes to a waste outlet at the rear of the pedestal, a remotely operable actuator mounted inside the pedestal and connected V ! a linkage to the seat so that operation of the actuator raises the seat.