Toilet seat lowering device
US5781938A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47K13/10
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A toilet seat lowering device provides for the automatic lowering of the seat of a toilet when the toilet has been flushed. A counterbalance arm extends generally rearwardly from the seat, and is offset to one side to clear the tank support and structure behind the bowl. The seat is substantially balanced by the arm, with the arm allowing the seat to lower slowly and gently to a lowered position, resting upon the rim of the bowl. The seat and arm are actuated by an actuating line which is removably connected to a float within the tank. The float may be a conventional tank float, or may be a specially adapted float installed within the tank in addition to the conventional tank float. When the float descends as the water level in the tank drops when the toilet is flushed, the actuating line is drawn downwardly by the descending float, thereby drawing the counterbalance arm upwardly to cause the seat to lower. The actuating line is preferably removably attached to the float by a magnet, thereby allowing the seat to be raised immediately after flushing when the water level within the tank is still low. The magnet causes the line to reconnect to the float automatically when the water le…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.