Disposable toilet seat lift apparatus

Abstract

A toilet seat lift apparatus with sanitary features including removability and metal mixtures having high microbicidal activity either coated onto its surface or incorporated into the material from which it is fabricated. The handle attaches to the underside of a toilet seat and extends beyond the outer edge of the seat, thereby providing a means to lift the seat without direct manual contact with the seat. The gripping portion of the handle may include or ring or other gripping member to facilitate easy handling. The handle is attached to the underside of the toilet seat by hook-and-loop adhesive strips, thereby allowing the handle to be periodically removed, washed, and replaced, or simply discarded. The antimicrobial material incorporated into or coated onto the handle enhances sanitation between periodic washings.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 310,869, filed Mar. 5, 2011 (Mar. 5, 2010).STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not applicable.SEQUENCE LISTING[0004]Not applicable.INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC[0005]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0006]1. Field of the Invention[0007]The present invention relates generally to toilet seat lifting apparatus, and more specifically to a disposable article for removable attachment to (principally public) toilet seats so as to avoid touching an unsanitary surface.[0008]2. Discussion of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR §§1.97, 1.98[0009]The present invention was conceived and devised as a solution to the repugnant and unsanitary action of having to manually touch a soiled toilet ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Accordingly, it is a first and principal object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat lifting apparatus that is may be installed easily and without the need of special skills or tools.

[0016]Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that enables the user to raise and lower a toilet seat without manual contact with the actual toilet seat.

[0017]Yet another object of the present invention is to provide The device must be removable for periodic cleaning and provide for an easy replacement in its original position, without the need to apply a new adhesive strip or the need to remove and reinstall screws or other fasteners.

Problems solved by technology

As will be appreciated, such apparatus is inherently costly and involves some installation skill.

As with other devices in this class, the cost and complexity effectively preclude widespread acceptance by the consuming public.

The panel and gripping members (i.e., the handle) comprise a generally permanent attachment to the seat, and as will be readily appreciated, in only a small amount of time the handle will be soiled and unsanitary.

The clamping system employed makes it entirely unfit for use on public toilets.

Furthermore, the integrity of the toilet seat finish will be compromised by engagement of the clamping members with the seat.

And, finally, the rigid structure of the panel extending well beyond the edge of the seat also becomes an impediment to walking or moving past the toilet.

Images