GB2320935A - Toilet seat - Google Patents

Abstract

A toilet seat comprising a frame 3 with reservoir 4 containing cleaning/drying devices 7 and substances through which a flexible belted seat 2 of re-usable or disposable material and unitary or segmented is movably revolvable via an internal series of drum/roller/axle units 6 driven by a drive belt 8 linked to a drive axle 9 operated via a linked raisable seat cover/lid 1 or other external lever. Such system being optionally used as a dispenser and collector of disposable seat covering material such as paper and the like.

Description

BELTED TOILET SEAT REPLENISHER This invention relates to toilet seats.

Toilet seats are an integral part of toilet facilities and are generally shared in use causing a range of problems including hygiene, cleanliness and a simple psychological distaste with utilising an especially personal and intimate unit already used by others. The present invention seeks to address that problem.

According to the present invention, there is provided a toilet seat unit with seat comprising a flexible belt of fitted re-usable or disposable covering material, (hereafter referred to as a belt-seat) being unitary or segmented and movably revolvable to dispense or collect the covering material via a series of one or more internal axles/rollers/drums via a ratioed drive belt and/or ratioed drive axle or similar external transmission systems operable from the exterior either manually via a dedicated lever or automatically via integration with the operation of the seat cover/lid and greater toilet unit during use.

In addition the present invention provides that when the beltseat is in operation either manually or automatically it functions so as to allow the movable belt to revolve and thereby progressively replace or refresh the upper usable surface of the seat with a fresh section. Such fresh section being of optionally disposable material dispensed as required and replenishable as a unit when used, or as re-usable material passed through a reservoir within the seat frame containing a liquid, semi-solid or solid substance for disinfecting and treating the belt and means such as brushes and the like so placed as to contact and clean and/or dry the belt as it passes through the reservoir. In addition such revolvable belt whether disposable or re-usable being so designed as to be easily accessible for removal and replacement and such reservoir as specified being replenishable and brushes and other cleaning and drying devices contained therein being also simply replaceable or rechargeable.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 Shows the complete seat unit in orthographic projection Figure 2 Shows the seat unit in orthographic projection with the seatbelt partially cut away to reveal the inner axles or rollers/drums.

Figure 3 Shows the seat unit frame in orthographic projection with the belt-seat unit and rollers/drums removed revealing the reservoir with integral cleaning and drying brushes.

Figure 4 Shows the seat unit in orthographic projection with the seat unit cut in section showing the belt and inner rollers/drums/axles in relation to the integral cleaning and drying brushes.

Figure 5 Shows the seat unit in orthographic projection with the frame in outline only and a side section cut away showing the operation of the inner rollers/drums/axles as driven by the drive belt and connected seat cover drive axle.

Figure 6 Shows the seat unit in orthographic projection with the frame in outline only the belt-seat cut away and inner rollers/drums/axles in section.

Referring to the drawings, the belt-seat unit comprises a frame 3 with pan bottom and reservoir 4 containing brushes or similar cleaning drying devices 7. Situated within the frame resides a revolvable belt-seat comprising a belt of flexible reusable material 2 wrapped securely around a series of connected drum/axle/rollers 6. The axle/drum/rollers being driven by a covered drive belt 8 linked to a covered drive axle 9 at the rear of the unit. The covered drive axle in turn being linked via two fixed hinges 5 to the seat cover or lid 1, in such ratio that when the lid or seat cover is lowered or raised the drive axle 9 revolves the drive belt 8 thus forcing the beltseat 2 revolvably through the reservoir containing cleaning disinfecting fluids/solids 4 and via contact with the brushes/cleaning/drying devices 7 thereby cleaning the used section of belt-seat and returning a fresh section to the upper face for use.

Such principle being equally applicable where the unit is activated by a dedicated external hand or foot lever rather than lid or seat cover and/or where the belt-seat is comprised of disposable material such as paper. Such material being then transferred for use from one dedicated drum/roller/axle to the other, where the ratio of motion and placement of the drum/axle/rollers has been altered to allow them to run unidirectionally and to function as dispensers and receivers.

Claims (5)

1 A toilet seat unit with seat comprising a flexible belt of fitted re-usable or disposable material, being unitary or segmented and movably revolvable to dispense or collect the covering material via one or more internal axles/rollers/drums via a ratioed drive belt and/or ratioed drive axle or similar external transmission systems operable from the exterior either manually via a dedicated lever or automatically via integration with the operation of the seat cover/lid and/or greater toilet unit during use.

2 A toilet seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible belt is driven through a reservoir containing disnfecting or cleaning substances.

3 A toilet seat as claimed in claim 1 and 2 wherein the belt in motion passes across and contacts with cleaning and drying devices such as brushes and wipers and like.

4 A toilet seat as claimed in claim 1 and 2 and 3 wherein the belt is of optionally disposable material such as paper or similar wherein the belt is passed from a roller/drum axle dispenser to a collection roller/drum/axle.

5 A belted toilet seat replenisher substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.