US4168552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable toilet seat
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-08-28
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Granted: 1979-09-25
•
Expires: 1998-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A toilet seat to be raised or lowered over a conventional toilet bowl by a power control operated by the user. A pair of jacks, each having a rotary drive shaft, are disposed on each side of the bowl and are connected to a mounting plate which support the seat. The two jacks shafts are mechanically interconnected through a drive, which is located rearwardly and beneath the toilet bowl so that each jack will be raised or lowered the same distance thereby avoiding tilting. The mechanical interconnection is preferably a belt to lesson operating noise, but a chain and sprocket assembly could be used. A reversible electric motor acts as a power source to operate the drive. One jack shaft is pivotly mounted on its supporting base so as to adjust the position of its connected drive shaft to thereby tighten the belt type of drive to which the drive shaft is connected. A protective cover is located above the drive shaft to prevent any portion of the users clothing from becoming entangled within the drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul G. Austin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G7/00; A61G7/10; A61G7/1001; A61G7/1007; A61G7/1013; A61G7/1019; A61G5/00; A61G5/10; A61G5/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
In combination with a toilet bowl, a toilet bowl seat being movable in respect to said toilet bowl by an adjustment mechanism, a mounting plate, said toilet seat being attached to said mounting plate, handle means attached to said mounting plate, said handle means being located on opposite sides of said toilet seat, said handle means to be grasped by the user, said adjustment mechanism comprising: a first jack assembly secured to one side of said mounting plate, said seat being mounted on said mounting plate, said first jack assembly being mounted on a first supporting base, said first supporting base being mounted on a fixed base; a second jack assembly fixedly secured to another side of said mounting plate, said second jack assembly being mounted on a second supporting base, said second supporting base being mounted on said fixed base; a first rotatable shaft connected to said first jack assembly, a second rotatable shaft connected to said second jack assembly, drive means connected to both said first and second shaft assembilies for simultaneous operation of both said shaft assemblies and therefore cause even raising and lowering movement of said seat, said drive means located rearwardly and below said toilet bowl; adjustment means connected to said first jack assembly, said adjustment means permitting movement of said first jack assembly relative to said fixed base, upon a desired location having been obtained by said first jack assembly on said fixed base said adjustment means being operable to fix the established position of said first jack assembly on said fixed base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
In combination with a toilet bowl, a toilet bowl seat being movable in respect to said toilet bowl by an adjustment mechanism, a mounting plate, said toilet seat being attached to said mounting plate, handle means attached to said mounting plate, said handle means being located on opposite sides of said toilet seat, said handle means to be grasped by the user, said adjustment mechanism comprising: a first jack assembly secured to one side of said mounting plate, said seat being mounted on said mounting plate, said first jack assembly being mounted on a first supporting base, said first supporting base being mounted on a fixed base; a second jack assembly fixedly secured to another side of said mounting plate, said second jack assembly being mounted on a second supporting base, said second supporting base being mounted on said fixed base; a first rotatable shaft connected to said first jack assembly, a second rotatable shaft connected to said second jack assembly, drive means connected to both said first and second shaft assembilies for simultaneous operation of both said shaft assemblies and therefore cause even raising and lowering movement of said seat, said drive means located rearwardly and below said toilet bowl; adjustment means connected to said first jack assembly, said adjustment means permitting movement of said first jack assembly relative to said fixed base, upon a desired location having been obtained by said first jack assembly on said fixed base said adjustment means being operable to fix the established position of said first jack assembly on said fixed base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein: said adjustment means comprises an outermost opening and an innermost opening, said innermost opening comprising an elongated slot, a first fastener cooperating with said outermost opening, a second fastener cooperating with said innermost opening, both said fasteners connecting with said fixed base, said outermost opening being spaced from said first rotatable shaft with said innermost opening being located directly adjacent said first rotatable shaft, the adjusting movement of said first jack assembly being accomplished by loosening of both said fasteners and pivoting of said first jack assembly about said first fastener with said first jack assembly being slidingly moved relative to said second fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as defined in claim 2 including: a protective cover means located about said adjustment mechanism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-24 | 1983-03-26 | 1983-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-24 | 1987-03-26 | 1987-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-24 | 1991-03-26 | 1991-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |